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.
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......
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