The Hodgson Appointment

greetings roaders!


less than a week has passed since the FA appointed Roy Hodgson as the surprise new England boss. Popular or not, it cannot be said it wasn't a major surprise. Everybody and his dog (and rosie) expected 'Arry to be the man to lead the country's hope, expectations - and ultimately - disappointment into the summers gathering in eastern europe.

Redknapp's destiny as next England manager seemed so assured - certainly according to the tabloid media - but in reality that was only media talk as much as transfer rumours are. In the time Capello resigned to 3pm last tuesday when Woyy was announced, the FA kept tightlipped over possible successors and not once did any representative speak openly about the position. So when its was finally announced as not the media's darling ol' twitchy himself, the press, much like a spoilt child, threw their toys out of the pram.

The british tabloids love Harry Redknapp. For the simple reason that 'Arry is a bent as they come, and he supplies the tabloid hacks with ammunition for both front and back pages, with his dodgy dealings and (alleged) tax evasion and this season with Tottenhams on-field exploits that had - for a considerable time - them in the Premier League title picture. For them he is a veritable goldmine. So I don't actually think and buy the total dissatisfaction they feel for Hodgson, certainly at the moment. It's just that Harry was THEIR choice and therefore, obviously the PEOPLE'S choice.

Doh!

So what does Roy Hodgson bring to the English national dining table? Hodgson's CV reads like a whose who of European football (and at times WHO?) certainly geographically; In Italy he had two spells at Inter in '95 and '99 and Udinese in 2001. He managed Grasshoppers of Zurich, immediately after his tenure at Inter ended. He also took charge of FC Copenhagen of Denmark in 2000. Since 2001 he has managed Finland and the UAE and had previously coached the Swiss national team between '92 and '95.


Now while the England job is BY FAR the most prestigious international posting, his international experience will do him no harm in major tournament scenarios. It would be no revelation to suggest that during Hodgson's tenure there may be few goals conceded and/or scored, as is his style. However as in evidence with West Brom, his sides also exhibit very good, attacking play, when given the chance. As West Brom's Peter Odemwingie even suggested, he makes average teams good;

     "I'm not saying the English team is average, but they have not shown the world that they are the best. Maybe Roy Hodgson might make a difference for them. They have great players but they have not won World Cups or European Championships."

Is this not the major problem with the team? Good players, big players, bigger egos. England has its egos. Terry and Lampard in particular. But what Hodgson has done in with big egos is to knock them down to size. Or drop them. This is what needs to happen with the England set-up. If Terry and Lampard do not pull rank they will be shipped out. No questions asked. Take these two volatile elements out and, arguably, there is just Wayne Rooney to control. But as Fergie has demonstrated this is possible and if he can do so, the fruits of Hodgson's labour could be rich indeed.


So what can we expect of Hodgson? Well expectations are pretty low (the press have ensured that) but this may just be perfect. We have seen that sometimes, just sometimes, the team ethos is more important than the sum of its' part. Take the Greek 2002 European champions, as a prime example; No big names, no big personalities, but a real team spirit of determination. It wasn't pretty, but it was successful. I don't think England will be a defensive as they were, but with the right coaching and techniques, England can become the defensive fortress it used to be.

Then we just need a goalscorer....

champs league analysis.....permeatations...

hi chaps.


Even before last Tuesdays incredibl (y lucky) result against Barcelona last night, I had a feeling that Chelsea were going to progress. It just had that feeling about it. One of those things. In the way Arsenal were meant to win the Champions League in 2005. (hmmm)....(sulk)


Looking at the stats over the two legs, they are nothing short of in-cre-di-ble.

                                           Barca                                                 Chelsea




Shots on Target                      29                                                       5
Possession %                         143                                                     67
Goals                                      2                                                        3


ONE HUNDRED AND FOURTY THREE PERCENT out of 200. thats extraordinary. Unsurprising, perhaps, but extraordinary nonetheless, that the winning team had 67 percent share of the 200 pie. in another way thats less than 3/8ths. and this is football that is meant to be balanced. Even if a team parked the bus, that would be a unfair representation of of what Chelsea managed to achieve.

It must have been a bendy-bus....

An even more amazing stat is that Chelsea, in 180 minutes of play, had just 5 shots on target, and scored 3 of them. Thats a 60 % conversion rate. and for that they must be commended. In comparison Barca's success rate was just under 7%. What?......

Instead of match reporting, I want to focus on who Chelsea will play on May 19 in Munich.


Not Real Madrid, no, but European champions of 2000, Bayern Munich. And personally, I had a feeling it would be the Germans who would progress to the final in their own back yard. Despite Cristiano Ronaldo giving the spaniards a 2 nil lead after 15 minutes, it only meant a slight advantage of a solitary goal, and with Bayern already having had chances to notch the oh-so-important away goal, it came as no shock that Robben scored from the spot in the 27nd minute, after Pepe felled him in the Real penalty area.


So followed another 93 minutes of goalless football that resulted in the ultimate lottery of the penalty shoot out. Being contested by the most efficient of world footballs' takers; (xenophobia aside) Zee Germans!

And so it proved - after one of the worst displays of twelve-yard kicking - to be the Germans, who, once again, pulled through when it mattered.

This will be Bayern's second european final in three years. In 2010, the Germans lost 2 nil at the Bernabeu, thanks to a Diego Milito brace, inspired by a - Bernabeu bound - Jose Mourinho's Inter side. There is one thing for sure; Bayern Munich will not want to lose another final, let alone in their own back yard of the Allianz Arena. This for me will be key...

Chelsea will be without at least 2 key defenders in Terry who was foolishly sent off for a knee in the back of Alexis Sanchez and Branislav Ivanovic, who was booked - and subsequently suspended - in the aftermath. (Geoff Shreeves, what a guy). Add to that Cahill and David Luiz still struggling to be fit in time (although I suspect they will) and the Blues could be faced with a defensive nightmare of pairing Jose Bosingwa and Paulo Ferrerira along the back line.

shudder...

They will also be without Meireles, but perhaps most crucially, Ramires, who has been a total revelation for Chelsea this season. In a sea of egos, he seems to be the most grounded individual. His loss come 18 nights from now will be key. Chelsea will have a shout, with the irrespressible Juan Mata behind the main striker, whether it be Torres or Drogba and his support with Salomon Kalou.

Bayern too will be without key members of the team. David Alaba has been superb at left back since his Juup Hyenckes installed the 19 year old from March. He can be covered tho in the form of Phillipp Lahm, his natural position and - as Luiz Gustavo is suspended also - if not him Rafinha. The biggest problem could be the absence of Holger Badstuber, now a national team stalwart. The ukranian Tymoschuk or Van Buyten may be utilised, but both lack agility and this could be where Chelsea thrive.

Where the game will be won, I feel, is the presence of Robben and Ribery. These two will expose Chelsea's core and be able to Supply talisman Mario Gomez. Also Bayern can call upon Toni Kroos and Schweinsteiger to be the ball winners for the Germans in midfield.

So it's tough to call but because of home advantage and Bayern's supreme home record, I would shade Bayern, say 2-1...


I shall return with my views on the impending England managerial appointment

Wigan's resurgence...Tottenhams' fall from grace; some interesting comparisons...

and a very good april to you roaders...

I type this as I peer out of the window of a very rainy Starbucks in Kent.

typical april weather. Lovely.

onwards!....


In their last 11 Premier League games, Wigan Athletic have taken 19 points from a possible 33, since February. It is interesting to note, after losing the 4 games prior to said current form, they went unbeaten for 3 games taking 5 points from 9; a pre-cursor, no doubt to what was to come.

More crucially, they have taken 12 points from a possible 15 points, including wins versus the champions Man Utd and Stoke City at the DW Stadium, but more pivotally, at Anfield versus the defensively frail Liverpool and last night at citadel Emirates Stadium; only a disputed Chelsea loss (via the linesman) prevented Wigan staying undefeated in a period where few had predicted them taking a single point, let alone 12.  


It's hardly the form of a relegation threatened side.....and they shouldn't be now - relgated that is -.......

So why and how the sudden upturn in form? The emergence of Celtic's forgotten man, Shaun Maloney is partly the reason. The former Scottish Young Player of The Year in 2006, Maloney had an spell at Aston Villa under Martin O' Neill, in 2007, which was largely unsucessful, save for a brace against Chelsea in the Boxing Day 2008 4-4 thriller, at Stamford Bridge. After returning to Celtic, he signed for Wigan on transfer deadline day in August.

Roberto Martinez has cited fitness issues as the reason for his omission up until a month ago. Now he has caught up to fitness, it seems he has been the perfect catalyst for the ominous run-in for Wigan. His performance and sweet curling strike against Utd last Wednesday was rightly sufficient for him to earn man of the match (perhaps cumulative)



Another Scot, unheralded and seemingly clumsy, but now finding his feet (literally) is Gary Caldwell. This guy has truly been around the houses, so to speak. He has been at Newcastle, Hibs and Celtic, as well as loan spells at Darlington, Coventry and Derby. Since moving to Wigan, Martinez had installed him as vice, the first team captain for his unflinching and relentless performances at the heart of the back 3.

Where Caldwell is really enjoying himself, is where Wigan deploy a 3 man defence with 2 wing backs, allowing him - unlike with many teams - to be the lynchpin of the defence. He, next to Antolin Alcaraz and Maynor Figueroa, are starting to form an inpenetrable back line, with wing backs, Jean Beausejour and Emerson Boyce, tracking up and down the wings. Being a central player, Caldwell is allowed to link up in midfield with Wigan's most important attacking outlet Victor Moses.

Moses, now 21 and recently having declared his commitment to Nigeria's national team, is often the string-puller for Wigan. Yes, he tends to be profligate, but he seems to be converting more of his chances, if not providing Wigan with a pacy, technical playmaker, as he was last night. Moses has only 4 goals, but with 6 assists, he is proving to be a better creater of opportunities.

Wigan have 4 games left and a decent 5 point gap to the relegation zone, but with games away to Fulham and Blackburn to come, as well as tricky looking games at home to Newcastle and Championship-bound Wolves, it is not a forgone conclusion.

But if they keep the momentum up they will stay up.....surely?.....



As a 21 year gooner, it brings me no joy in witnessing Tottenham Hotspur's fall from grace.......( honest ;) ), so without going into all the juicy details, I want to draw a few carefully considered comparisons with that of Arsenal.

In January, when Spurs swept aside Everton to move within two points of the two title-chasing Manchester clubs, Harry Redknapp was heard to utter this:

                 "It's not impossible for us to win the league - we have a chance"

Fast-forward two months and the target had been revised to third....

              "That's what we're capable of doing and that's where I want us to be"

Another month on, after Tottenham had been soundly beaten by Norwich City, the goalposts had been moved again...

                                         "We'd settle for finishing fourth"......

Now lets be honest these are not a million miles away from what Arsene Wenger had said last season when seemingly in with a shout of the title, his team capitulated from a position of finishing as runners-up, to third and finally finishing in fourth; each time he protested that finishing in such position would not be so bad...

a coincidence.......  ?

another comparison. In February 2008, when 2 nil down against Birmingham City at St. Andrews, Eduardo suffered his horrific leg break, which effectively ended his Arsenal career, but more prominently was the catalyst for Arsenal losing their six point lead at the summit of the Premier League, which many players failed to recover from. Indeed many gooners, see this as the beginning of four seasons, of injury-fuelled heartache for the the clubs supporters.

Fast forward four years, to a few weeks ago, to Fabrice Muamba's horrific cardiac arrest on the pitch. Since when, Spurs have drawn 3 of the last five league games, losing to Norwich and beating only Swansea. One could be forgiven for putting their current form down to events of White Hart Lane that Saturday eve. hardly relegation form, no, but for a team who needs to keep winning games in the final push for a top four position they are faltering. Now out of the cup after a 5-1 drubbing by Chelsea at Wembers, Spurs' season is now in real danger of collapsing - they could even finish outside of the top five.......

A coincidence...?

food for thought........  

Roman fickle. again, Rosicky returns to glory..

greetings, roaders.!

it has been a while since last post. but I have had a creative blank. so apologies.

If nothing else was going to get me to post it would be the - as predicted by moi, back in September - shambolic treatment and departure of Andre Villas Boas from Chelsea.

If I take you, reader, back to AVB's appointment at the Bridge in the summer;

      This is my problem with the appointment. I really like Boas. He is a very talented guy. He speaks fluent english, thanks to his english grandmther and his time working under Jose Mourinho but also Sir Bobby Robson, for a time at Ipswich in the early 2000's. He is a great coach. BUT he is a very attacking style of manager, which has put Chelsea in trouble in the past. My concern is that he may score more than concede in the early stages but with a goal shy Fernando Torres of late and a Frank Lampard out of sorts, is there anyone who can really lead the team in the way Villas Boas wants?

smug. mode.

But I take no joy in this. I expected him to last only one season, but for him to not survive the season - let alone for him to be dismissed whilst his charges are still in the Champions League (until Wednesday night at least) is shocking. For me this highlights the desperation of the most fickle man in football, the venerable Roman Abramovich. Whilst Napoli come to west London in midweek, with a two goal advantage, and likely therefore, to progress, there if the slightest chance of a revival under RDM ( as we shall now refer to him, in the acronym age). Chelsea's owner is DESPERATE for glory in the only major competition that eludes him.


But surely he wouldn't resort to murder.? It seems figuratively, he has.....


It's hard to know exactly were AVB went wrong. Mata has been an excellent signing thus far. On paper he and Torres should have linked up superbly well, but only in one game has this been in evidence. The CL game against Genk, where both set up goals for each other, and scored also. Torres' goal drought has been a big factor, yes. But I think the big problem has been that Chelsea have too many offensive centre backs; Luiz, Cahill, Ivanovic (less so) and Bosingwa.


Frequently David Luiz would be found wandering down the pitch wanting to get up into offensive positions whenever possible. When Chelsea's inability to keep clean sheets began to appear, it seemed to seep through the rest of the team, particularly their stalwart Petr Cech, who has been imperious for the last 3-4 seasons, producing many a match winning performance. Then moreso through to the strikers. Torres hasn't looked himself at Chelsea possibly because is under such pressure to perform, as comes with a £50m price tag. This has led the poison that is John Terry and Frank Lampard of the old guard, to reappear and spread, making AVB's tenure terminal.


Regardless to sack him, after just 8 months in charge is ridiculous and shameful. But its just another example of what an unscrupulous man the big bucks Russian is. There is no 'quick fix' let Sir Alex and Arsene tell you that. Who wants the Chelsea job now?


I bloody dont......


Arsenal's season continues to take more twists, turns, highs, lows and upside down moments, than that of any of your popular theme park coasters does.


After effectively ending hopes of another trophyless season, with an abject perfomance, on an abject pitch at the San Siro, on Tuesday night, Arsenal showed the sort of character that has been bereft from the Emirates Stadium pitch this season. Whilst this AC Milan side are - in my view - overrated, and will only progress through to the semi finals with a favourable draw versus APOEL next Friday in Nyon, it was still an admirable perfomance from the Gunners, who aside from finishing in the top four, have little to play for.


Arsenal have been robbed of key players through injury at key stages of the season; Wilshere, Ramsey, Walcott, Vermaelen and Sagna to name a few. Perhaps the biggest loss though, (in evidence) is that of Tomas Rosicky. When Rosicky signed a few days before the start of Germany 06', I was very excited. Very. But in his six years so far in North London he has seen some troubling times. In fact the only games where his presence really stands out pre 2008, is the game away at Hamburg in September 2006, in which he scored his first Arsenal goal in some style with a 30 yard screamer, in a 2-1 win.



When 'little Mozart' signed for Arsenal, there was a question mark over his past injuries. Indeed one particular knee injury occurred in his 5 years in Germany, which ruled him out of an entire season. His past seemed to came back to haunt him as a niggling hamstring tendon injury ruled him out of the entire 2008-09 campaign and kept him out of action out-right for 18 months. He came back but as with long term-injuries there were complications.


It has taken him nearly 3 years to get back to anywhere near his best form. But finally he seems to be coming good again and is showing signs of playmaker best as he was at Dortmund. I noted in a previous post that he had an excellent pre-season in Asia. Rosicky has been increasingly instrumental in games after the Xmas period, often contributing as the midfield engine, in the Fabregas role, occupying a central role, but adept at playing across the front three. These culminated in a outstanding performance against Sp**s ( ;) )
when he scored hi first goal since February 2011 but so much more than that he was fantastic whenever he got the ball.

Tomas really has given Arsenal a much needed fillip in the run in, and hopefully will, in Jack Wilshere's absence as Arsenal fight to retain their top four status. With tough games against Newcastle on Monday and games against City, Chelsea, and Stoke away to come, it will be fascinating to see how he does and where he is deployed in the weeks to come. Injury permitting. Good luck Tomas......

Weekend thoughts...Henry Honeymoon Hiatus...

afternoon roaders! Hope you like the new layout. Again I'm toying with a few ideas and it will no doubt change between now and my next post..


I'll begin with a little clip of Samir Nasri, which you may or may not have seen. He was being berrated by two Liverpool fans who drove past him in the car after the reds won the first leg of their Carling Cup Semi against Manchester City last week.

Oh what a twisted individual I am.. bwahaha..

So after all the flack Steve Kean has been taking, it appears that his side are finding some form at long last. A victory at home to Fulham on Saturday - with a man down notwithstanding - was impressive. Indeed I had Fulham to win. Especially when Rovers' main goal threat, Yakubu, was sent off for a rake of the studs on Jason Lowe.

But after being reduced to 10 men, Blackburn's young pups really shone through. Particularly the improving Grant Hanley, the aforementioned Lowe and Junior Hoilett. But it was Rovers' trusted long-serving campaigners David Dunn and Morten Gamst Pedersen who delivered the goods when it mattered. A few seasons ago Dunn was a maestro in the Blackburn midfield but recently, injuries have seen him lose form and be frequently benched. Tough, burly and hard working, if Dunn can recapture his scoring form for the run in, Blackburn have every chance of beating the drop. Which a month ago seemed a foregone conclusion.


The same could be said for the Norse Pedersen. Last season in particular, he was adept at creating opportunities and from set pieces notably, with his traction engine of a left foot and his uncanny knack to be in the right place at the right time. His both in and out-swinging corners were ideal for the likes of Chris Samba and Ryan Nelsen to get on the end of.

This season so far however, probably in no small part due to Blackburn's lack of self belief as a whole, he has found himself bench-warming as Kean began his tenure with a stockier five mad midfield, often with natural defenders pushing up into a more active role ahead of the defence, past the centre circle. The prime examples being Phil Jones (last season) and now Steven Nzonzi. Gradually though, Pedersen has began to find his role in Kean's ever evolving system. Like with Dunn, Pedersen has shown glimpses of his best form and if Blackburn are to avoid the drop, they will need theses glimpses to become more permanent features of his game.

As a part time, suffering Tractor Boy, it brings me pain to see Norwich flourishing in the top flight. But all bias aside, Paul Lambert has got the canaries playing some very attractive stuff - with bite. So that pill is slightly easier to swallow as an admirer of good teams that play good football. But not just good; clever also.
The Championship's most prolific goal-scorer last season, Grant Holt has seamlessly carried his form through to the Premier League - even if it be from the bench - scoring 7 goals and notching up 3 assists so far this season. His partner up front Steve Morison is equally consistent, if not more with 8 goals and 4 assists. Norwich in an attacking, sense are the most consistent performers outside of the top 6. Add to this some very dynamic wing players and attackers like Pilkington, Surman and Wes Hoolahan and Norwich - I have no doubt - have got enough goals in them to survive and push for a top ten finish.


Finally this week I want to AGAIN talk about the Arsenal situation. I honestly I want to bash my head against a wall. Every time the club seem like making real progress, form drops, players get injured and the manager goes into denial. After a shocking start to the season, Arsenals progress had taken them back into the top four and at least a chink of hope in the title race. The glittering form of Robin van Persie had catapulted the gunners up the table in a matter of weeks. But had it not been for the Dutchman's work and effort, in the form of 18 goals and 6 assists, Arsenal's plight would have been significantly worse and I would argue Arsene Wenger would be out of a job.

 Now, after a turbulent festive period - as it was for many teams - of a draw to Wolves at home, a defeat to Fulham away, a  victory versus QPR at home and now a defeat to Swansea away, despite RVP continue to bang the goals in, Arsenal's injury trail once again has finally taken its toll. With Sagna, Wilshere, Jenkinson, Gibbs and Santos injured, the Gunners would have been fine, but then Thomas Vermaelen picked up an ankle problem and Koscielny was then having to be paired at the back with the immobile and oft clumsly German, Mertesacker, where Koscielny was doing quite well for himself at right-back. Even when Vermaelen played it was frequently at left-back (where is first played for Ajax) so when he wasnt there it was clear that the left side of defence would be exposed, or 'short' as Le Prof is never too shy to express...  


Now far be it from me defocate on my own welcome mat, but the striking situation at Arsenal is laughable. 4 strikers; 1 on loan; 2 ineffective; only 1 goal scorer.   It sounds like a plot line from a popular reality show. Maybe Arsene would be best to sit up and realize that this IS reality. this IS a 21st century football club. This IS a big club. Or was.... Thierry Henry's fairtytale return was epic and the stuff of legend. Orgasmic even.  I said it. I havent experienced that sensation for my football team for years; only angst, nerves and shredded nerves. Followed by anxiety attacks.

Great right?...

Henry's return is fantastic and yes, we are crippled by injuries in defence, but what else is new? when defence is low we - even more urgently - need a player to deliver the goals - and not from a winger. A striker. A 6 foot + quick versatile player who doesn't necesarily breaks the bank but who ISNT a) loaned out for the season b) fails to get a work permit c) gets benched for the majority of the season as he is not 'ready' d) is frankly rubbish or e) all of the above. Do me a favour.

The situation needs to sorted soon and I hope (probably in vain) that a striker is recruited to lighten the weight of expectation on RVPs already brittle bones and muscles.

Wenger's sand timer has now, once again, been turned upside down, having been rested on its' side......

Festive fixtures...

afternoon and happy new year roaders! I am in the process of revamping my site. stay tuned.

Ii first apologize for the lack of posts recently. time simply hasn't allowed. but now it does. AHA. 

much has happened since mid-november. let us begin! 

Manchester City's unbeaten run went at the Bridge in mid December, albeit controversially and I made some interesting observations. City went one nil up through Mario Balotelli and then had a stonewall penalty appeal turned down when Branislav Ivanovic fouled David Silva just inside the box and had their claims waved away. From that point on City seemed to fail or at least get stuck. They barely created any chances and Chelsea took control of the game. 

From the moment Balotelli scored, the citizens seemed to lose a gear, mentally. They scraped past the Arsenal by a single goal, despite the gunners throwing the kitchen sink at them and then Stoke more comfortably 3 nil the weekend after. But after Aguero's goal on 54 minutes in that match they then failed to score in 200 minutes, which, with Manchester City's attacking arsenal (avoiding the obvious irony) of Silva, Dzeko, Balo, Aguero, Johnson, Yaya, Milner, Richards, Nasri and Kompany, would have seemed an impossibility.

The festive period was eventful for City, dropping 4 points; drawing at the Hawthorns, 0-0 and losing in stoppage time at the Stadium of Light to a resurgent Sunderland and a goal from substitute Ji.

Sunderland I will get onto... In these 2 games City visibly lost their spark; David Silva went off the boil, not to mention Dzeko lose his form and touch (due in no small part to his multiple bench appearances), but most notably - and it brings me great pain to say this, honest! - Samir Nasri's dissolving into the woodwork, with some very poor creative performances. Oh it makes me weep so....  

Yes, Manchester City have now somewhat regained their form with a win against a goal-shy Liverpool and a very impressive backs to the wall display against a team three nil up and yet nearly grab a late goal to secure a-near-looking impossible outcome, yes But it does show that City have weaknesses and can be beaten and will go through bad spells again. Especially if Kompany doesnt get his red card rescinded from sunday. If he doesn't, due to it being his second straight red of the season, he can expect a further ban. Which leaves City a captain down but also the best Premier league defender down, also. This could spell problems. I HAVE NO DOUBT.  

which brings me onto the red half of Manchester        (booooo)........


Since consecutive 5-0 drubbings of Fulham away and Wigan at home, Manchester United have suffered great hardships during the festive period, not least with a shock defeat, indeed arguably the biggest shock of the season thus far, at OT to Steve Kean's beleaguered basement dwellers, Blackburn Rovers, 3-2. Then just a few days later losing 3-0 at St J...ahem, I mean the Sports Direct Arena.....in a very lacklustre performance. Since the 22nd of December, Utd have began to see players dropping like flies; Young with a recurring toe problem, Vidic being ruled out for the season, Smalling with tonsilitis, Jones with a slight groin problem, Ferdinand with a knee injury. thats just the defenders. It has seen Manchester United's in-form Antonio Valencia being pushed back to right back with varying results. So this was really not the time for Nani to lose form and Wayne Rooney to go on (another) Boxing Day Bender with his darling wife.

Nani is still dangerous but seems to have picked up the habits on Gervinho and Arshavin; too much flair, not enough skill. The defeat at Newcastle was the perfect showcase for that. Even the unrockable Phil Jones was culpable with a laughable own goal in the last throes of the game. But vitally Utd were light in midfield and the pairing of Cabaye and Tiote were instrumental in shutting the red devils out for much of the game. Utd have just knocked out bitter city rivals City out of the FA Cup so will be buoyed, but with games against Bolton home and away to come, not to mention a massive game with Arsenal at the emirates, next sunday, January is going to be a crucial month for the Champions if they are going to keep up with City.


Without a shadow of a doubt, for me, the team of the Christmas period was Sunderland. Since Martin O' Neill took the reigns of a sinking ship, he has guided the Black Cats to the giddy heights of the top half of the table. Sunderland always had the players; last season was evident of that, but MON has a real eye for talent and is unearthing some real gems in his reserve squad. Not least in James Maclean. Maclean was one of Bruce's last purchases, for £350,000 from Irish Premier League side Derry City, from where Wigan's Connor Sammon came from. Bruce had him, but the difference between him and MON is MON is not afraid to blood talent in potentially tricky games.

O' Neill, did this in his first game in charge at home to Blackburn, when his side were 1 nil down with 20 mins to go. Many would argue that Maclean inspired Sunderland to their 2-1 comeback victory. Since then, the lad, 22,  has gone from strength to strength, starting his next two games versus Manchester City and Wigan, both victories, with him scoring Sunderland's third against Wigan. He also scored their second at London Road in the cup on Sunday. Already for me, his left wing position looks assured. He may not start every game, but he could really be a revelation with Seb Larsson on the opposite flank.


As could Stephane Sessegnon. When he first arrived at Sunderland just under a year ago, from the then considerably less well-off PSG, it was unclear where his best position was. He had the lightening pace, unquestionably, but first he was deployed on the left wing, then the right and finally through the middle, none which suited him. Then toward the end of last season he began to play as a ghost striker for Asamoah Gyan. This season he has continued that role just behind the on-loan Nicklas Bendtner and the two of them combine very well. But not only he gets service from the Dane, but now from the aforementioned Maclean but also Larsson and the ever adventurous Kieran Richardson.


Sessegnon is only 5'7, but at that height and with such agility he is able to pop up in awkward positions, and is a real handful for defenders. Stephane has had his fair share of injury problems, not least a recurring knee injury. BUT if he can stay fit and with Sunderland's new style of play and the freedom he gets, he could just be prolific for the second half of the season. Chelsea host Sunderland on Saturday and whilst the black cats are unlikely to replicate their 3-0 victory of last season, you really wouldn't bet against the diminuative Beninian to make his mark on the game, if not score.....


remember to keep an eye out for the new site.            

End of Year England Assessment...

morning roaders!

slightly delayed in my post due to time constraints, oh and well there is SOD ALL really to write about in any meaningful way. The resumption of domestic action can't come soon enough.


onwards....

Tuesday saw the final chance for England to show their wares for preparation for Ukraine/Poland in June. In fact, there is only one more friendly (due to be Holland) before the Euros start. Food for thought then. What better time for England to inflict a first defeat on world champions Spain in 15 years. Not much of a stat perhaps since the two nations have only met twice before in that period, including the infamous monkey chanting episode at the Bernabeu in 2005. The other friendly included ending a rather more - statistically impressive - 43 year hoodoo against Sweden at Wembley.

so how did everyone do?

We have to begin by commending what was, In my view, the best English defensive performance, perhaps not in my lifetime, but certainly since the turn of the millennium. England, in these recession hit times just don't do defensive performances, mainly due to the Dads Army brigade of Ferdinand, Terry and James.

These boys on the Wembley pitch showed unity, compactness and just good old bulldog spirit the likes of Walker, Parker and Pearce (watching on from the dugout) would have been proud of. Two performances in particular stood out more than others.

Its not often I am able to wax lyrical albeit freely and happily about a Spurs player. But Scotty Parker in the England midfield is just a revelation. Everybody knows he works hard, but what is refreshing to see is he really busts a gut for the shirt; THE ENGLAND SHIRT. messrs Barnes, in fact, most players who have international caps to their name, hang your heads in shame....

During the 85 minutes he played on Saturday evening he kept Xavi and Iniesta always occupied and they were almost never out of his sight. He just gives his all. I want to highlight the last 20 minutes in particular. Spain had finally began to show they cared about losing the game. But whenever Fabregas, Villa, Torres got to the ball in the box, Parker was there as like a reserve defender; a little Berlin wall in NW5. He blocked everything. He was frequently the first man to the ball in the crucial situations. England's victory against the world and european champions was in no small part down to him. When Wilshere returns from injury, he and Parker in midfielder could be nothing short of sensational for England.


One other observation I made. Everyone has always posed the question; Can Lampard and Gerrard operate in the midfield together? Despite Frank Lampards' recent resurgence, for me, he still doesnt belong anywhere near the England shirt. Yes he scored the winner but really didn't do much else except hold. But he did have a greater sense of freedom both in his play and time on the ball. So I think a more pertinent question should be; Can Lampard and Parker play together?

well, maybe.....just maybe......

The centre back pairing of Lescott and Jagielka were excellent. Obviously not unaccustomed to playing together from their Everton days together. Both of these guys and Cahill should be comfortably keeping the only remaining poison from the old England side, John Terry out of the set up, and I don't know why he is still being considered, let alone be allowed to captain the side, particularly with his recent on AND off field transgressions. I digress...

Joleon Lescott in particular, ran Parker very close for MOTM. Since his £20m move to Manchester City in the Summer of 2010, Lescott was yet to hold down a permanent position. And to be honest he was good but I never ever thought of him in an England shirt. But now, with Vincent Kompany by his side at Eastlands, he seems to be learning from the best, molding into one of England's best defenders.
He now is not scared to go aerial and will on most occasions win any of those battles. But generally he is more of a presence and a dominant figure. If he keeps his form up and stays clear of injuries. He could be a shoe-in for a starting 11 berth in the summer.


So whilst a 1 0 victory against Spain was a fantastic result, it would be churlish to suggest England are now world beaters or that they have Spains' number. Particularly in the light of the fact that this was Spain's fourth defeat since winning the World Cup 16 months ago. They have suffered losses to Argentina (4-1), Italy (2-1) and Portugal (4-0). And now a 2 nil defeat the mighty Costa Rica.....Spain are struggling for goals against the big sides with an out of form Torres, who may need to be put out of his misery before next Summer.

They are the Arsenal of the International scene of last year. it would seem....



Moving back to England, there were definitely reasons to be optimistic aside from Parker, Jagielka and Lescott. Rodwell when he came on against the Spaniards looked a live wire running forward but in more close proximity in the Sweden game, where he admittedly missed a sitter of a header, yes. But he looks a very clever operator and is bullish. He's certainly a great card to play off the bench if required.

England's problem lately has been leaking goals down the right due to Glen Johnson's inability to defend. But that now may be solved thanks to Kyle Walker (yes another yid. Ugh) Walker is quicker than Johnson which allows him to track back faster, but also nip down the flanks with relative ease and he can actually make a decent tackle. He fits the bill more effectively than the Liverpool right back.

Also Englands big problem is if Rooney is suspended for the early stages of the tournament, how do England compensate for this? Well I dont think it's too much of a problem. Rooney, temperamentally, is a liability and the facts are that when he plays England rely far too much on him. Welbeck on the break against Spain looked sharp, pacy and he could definitely trouble a few defences. Sturridge didn't really get a chance to shine versus the Swedes. But he definitely adds a dimension to England's play and is quick enough to open large gaps in the middle of the park. With Young to come back also. I'd also like to see Gabby get a decent chance, but sadly he seems to pick injuries up on duty. Bent will continue, but other than the assist for Lampard's goal, I an unsure what he actually brings to the table....

I will finish by showing you the team I predicted earlier this season for the future England line up...


                             HART
 
JONES      CAHILL     TERRY      COLE

                            JONES

  CLEVERLEY   WILSHERE  PARKER

                                         YOUNG
                          ROONEY


I will now give you my updated thoughts...

                            HART

WALKER      CAHILL      LESCOTT   COLE

                           JONES

 WALCOTT     WILSHERE      PARKER
     
            WELBECK      YOUNG  


It will be interesting to see what transpires...