* So yeah. That Manchester derby was pretty crap, eh? I knew it wouldn't be worth watc [gets word in ear about it being a 4-3 thriller] So as I was saying, the derby was clearly the game to watch this weekend, and only a fool would have said otherwise. I must confess, I didn't see it, but by most people's reckoning -- not least Sir Alex's, who is always unbiased in his post-match analysis -- United were worthy winners, and could have been so by a considerably more convincing margin. As it happened they only won the game because of a dubiously late goal that makes you hate United that little bit more.
* City are defensively brittle. In the two games I've seen them in this season -- against Blackburn and Arsenal -- they conceded numerous chances, and were frankly lucky winners in both. It seems a similar story unfolded at Old Trafford, without the lucky winners part. Is Toure and Lescott really a top 4 centre-half partnership? Not likely. Consider Lescott. His signature season came in 07/08, but if I'm not mistaken he played at left-back for most of it, and even then it was his goal scoring exploits and not his solid defensive play that earned him the plaudits. Last season he was at centre-half, but he was always playing second fiddle to Phil Jagielka. In short, we don't really know how good Julien Lescott actually is as a defender, but one suspects that he's not £20m+ good. Less money could probably have been spent on a better player, like that Dunne chap at Aston villa for instance. And then there's Kolo Toure. Capable of splended defending every now and then, but there is question marks over his consistency, and that pace which got him out of many a hole seems to be fading away. It is telling that Wenger was prepared to let Toure go ahead of Gallas, despite him being a number of years younger. I'm not quite sure what Hughes was thinking when he signed these two defenders for a combined total of £38m [?], but on the evidence thus far it has been money poorly spent, and money which could end up costing a lot more as the season progresses.
* Four goals and four assists. I knew Ibrahimovic would be a complete flop. I actually have yet to see a full Barcelona game so I'm unable to give an in-depth report on the matter at hand, but the signs look good so far. Of course few doubt Ibra's capabilities when it comes to shining against the lesser teams, so perhaps critics have yet to be silenced. Still, it would be churlish to take anything away from his contribution so far. It is important to note also that his presence hasn't hampered Messi in any way either, with the little Argentine continuing from where he left off last season, and arguably outdoing himself, having scored 5 in 4. It remains to be seen how Henry reacts to his new colleague, or simply to the new season with all of its demands. Being in his thirties and having just won the treble may lessen the hunger and desire that characterised him last season.
* Given the way Arsenal fans and various media outlets talked about vermaelen before he played a game for the Gunners you'd have sworn he was a certified midget who stepped out onto the pitch wearing platforms just so attackers wouldn't be able to run over his head. Given the way he's being talked about now, you'd swear he was Franz Beckenbaur II. There's no denying that he's been good, but in the words of Steve G, "calm down, calm down". The Belgian has plenty to do before he's proved to be an astute signing.
* Ever since I saw Benayoun tear Ireland a new one a few years ago I've been a closet fan. In his darkest hours at Liverpool I did question my secret allegiance, but given his performances at the end of last season and the beginning of this one, it seems it is becoming perfectly acceptable for his closet fans to come out. He reminds me a lot of Alex Hleb, another of my favourites. He has the increasingly rare ability to go by players, and he sees things that not many see. His presence in the starting 11 will help Liverpool to no end as they seek to eliminate those 0-0 draws against defensively minded teams from their results sheet this season. His big game influence remains a question mark, but this could be the season when Benayoun finally gets his name mentioned alongside Torres and Gerrard.
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3 comments:
This Spanish League is insane. I´ve seen both Atletico and Valencia play, and plenty of Villareal highlights and the gulf between Barca & Real and the rest of them is incredible. It wouldn´t surprise me if they both won every single other game they have left except those against each other. Barca are the better team but Real have the squad and honestly, it´s amazing how bad everyone else is.
On the plus side, it´s not Blackburn bad, or Bolton bad. It´s "maybe we can beat them if we just keep passing the bal... uh-oh, what´s that? 6-0?" bad, so it is fun to watch.
Plus, as I´m sure you noted, Valeron is back. Guti is a nonsense player, check out Valeron´s assist a week or so ago, if you can. Phenomenal.
Oh, and Sevilla are rubbish too.
Yeah the thing is, those clubs you mentioned simply can't play against Barcelona the way you need to play to beat them - the way Chelsea played. I think against (most) English clubs the likes of valencia might do okay. Still, as you say, it's great fun.
I saw the real J.C. against Madrid alright producing some heavenly football, although he missed an absolute sitter. I don't think I saw the assist though, so I'll get right on that.
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