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Wenger – An Arsenal genius

Arsene Wenger has spoken out about the trend for Middle Eastern football club owners.
He says the likes of Fabregas would not be sold even for the silly amounts such as £135m that are being talked about.

You’ve got to admire the man. Not only is he arguably the best club manager in world football, his words always raise an eyebrow.

Yes I know all the Fergie fans will be spitting at my words, but let’s face it when you compare the way Wenger actually manages his club, not just balancing the books but tipping them well in Arsenals favour, you have to say he is a great manager.

Anyway my point in this article is to focus on the things Mr Wenger has said in the past couple of days.

Firstly he played down Theo Walcotts performance saying it was a one off and we should not get carried away. secretly of course Wenger was dancing around in his pants later that night singing “There’s only one Theo Walcott!”

But it is a good move by the arsenal gaffer. Firstly it takes a bit of pressure off the young Arsenal player, secondly it makes chairmen like the Sheikhs and Abramovich’s take a breath or two before they throw a mega million pound offer on the table and thirdly it keeps youn Walcotts feet firmly on the floor and tell’’s him “Don’t think this changes anything to do with my team selection for the weekend young man!”.

Wengers other comments about not liking the way Sheikhs are walking in throwing money about come at an interesting time.
Arsenal may well be looking for a buyer themselves at the moment, and with a stadium name like “the emirates” it’s going to attract a certain type of buyer. Let’s just hope that buyer can convince Mr Wenger to stay on board.

Zola to West Ham – Make or Break?

As both a player and as an individual I like Gianfranco Zola, he was a great little player to watch and on of those players that kep a low profile private life away from the game.

His appointment at West Ham is a surprise to me. If I were a hammers fan I would have wanted someone with a bit of experience behind them first. I’ve always been a fan of managers having to serve some sort of apprenticeship either as a number two or at a lower division club before taking on what can only be described as a top club.

I’ve always liked West Ham. Mainly in the Redknapp days I must admit but they are one of those teams I can sit and watch.
Curbishley in my opinion never stood a chance. I think he did a decent job, he had no luck at all with injuries during his time there and that held back his progress, but progress was most definately made under his reign.

Everyone seems to think that if they throw some money at a team they instantly should be thinking “Top 4″, it’s a ludicrous mentality but one that will not change whilst people from outside football are buying the clubs.

So back to Mr. Zola, I think he will given time endear himself to the West Ham faithful but at the same time will struggle to improve the clubs fortunes either on or off the pitch. West Ham are a premier league team, that I have no doubt about but they are several managers and many millions of pounds away from being a top 6 team, never mind the top 4!

Everton slowly building……..

After the past couple of weeks feeling hugely frustrated at the lack of dealings at Goodison, they finally appear to have finalised a deal!

Regular readers will know that I’m an Everton supporter and so I have been quite concerned recently.

We are in the last week of the transfer window and we are still six players down on the seven that Mr Moyes said he would like to bring in to bolster the squad.

It has not helped that there have been so many decent names linked with us. Names that seem to have appeared and disapeared without any developments. Obviously names that have been planted in and around the club to increase publicity.

The talk of the club looking for investors can’t have helped. The talk of the new ground deal floundering can’t have helped. And the continueing developments around the Managers contract, which remains unsigned can’t have helped. All of the above must make the club look far from stable to any players looking to switch clubs.

The arrival of Jacobsen is one that I am more than happy with. He has european experience and for me comes into to bolster our weakest position. Hibbert is a good player but he was not up to the standards required for european football last year. Jacobsen should steady the ship a little.

I would like to see a grafter brought into midfield and a striker to accompany the Yak.

Midfield, well firstly I must say I think Neville can step into Carsleys role and fill it very well. When you look at how much Chelsea paid for Deco I can’t help feel that may turn into the deal of the year. He is exactly the type of player I see us needing.  I wonder if Makele may have been worth a punt for 12 months or is that just desperation kicking in? There are a wide range of quality midfielders out there at the moment and I’d like to see us go for someone established in the game. Who? Well it’s hard to say. The season has started now. A majority of players have got their contracts in order and are settling for the new year. I think shaun Wright Philips is an attractive option BUT I really want a big lad in there. Someone who will win the ball in the air and help out the centre backs, I still wonder if we should take a few more risks not neccessarily actually buying risky players but be a bit cheeky like Redknapp and Sam Allyrdyce have been in the past.
I think it might be worth a look at Reo Coker or someone in that mould.

Strikers…..well there is one that I’d really like to see us have a chat with. He knows the area quite well and scores goals. Michael Owen…….. comments below please.

Give Capello and England a chance

If you picked up a newspaper this morning and read the back page I am pretty sure that  a majority of the headlines are slamming England and Fabio Capello.

For those of you not in the know, England drew 2-2 with the Czech Republic last night after twice going behind.

It makes me mad sometimes to see these reports.
Firstly, the Czech Republic qualified for the Euro’s where England failed so to get a result against them is not a bad thing at all!

Secondly, the papers are saying that “the pampered stars shame the national game” how ridiculous! They showed the strength and will to pull back from behind twice in this game. These players are mostly lads in their twenties, little more than kids. Yes they lead a rich and privelidged lifestyle but that’s something that come’s with the territory. Does anybody really think that these players don’t care about results? If they do they are idiots, even the most pampered richest player in the World, David Beckham, still hates losing!

Thirdly, capello is still adjusting and is still trying different players out. The damage done by previous manager, Steve McClaren, will take a while to sort out. But all in all I look at his team selection and think theres not much different I would do either. Maybe Crouchy would feature more but that’s just my opinion. I certainly don’t think I can tell Mr Capello how to do his job. He’s a good coach, end of story.

I’m a Welshman, a part of me would love to see England flop but the football loving part of me wants them to perform to the best of their ability something they are not yet doing, but give mr Capello the time and freedom to do what he needs to do and I think they will qualify for the World cup. And that should be enough. Don’t expect England to be pushing to the quarters or Semi’s, just accept that qualification will be an improvement and if they achieve that, Capello will have succeeded in his job and can then set himself the next target.

Deco to be signing of the season?

Two or three seasons ago I remember people raving on about Deco saying what a superb player he was. He was playing in a Barcelona team that looked like they could beat anyone on their day but from the games I had watched him in, both for his club and country he never did anything that made me sit up and take notice, I never got that WOW! factor from him.

Now, having studied his game in a bit more depth, I can certainly see what all the fuss is about. He can occasionally pull off a bit of magic but much more importantly he doesn’t waste much.

Much like Makele he puts himself about the field, placing himself intelligently, reading the game and constantly aware of the players that surround him. He wastes very little, sensibly opting to play the easy ball whenever it is on in order to keep posession and move the play up the field.

It’s very early days in the premier league but this is just the kind of signing that can pull and additional 9 or so points onto the board over the course of a season and that is why having watched only one game, I am already changing my mind on who will be champions. Unless United get Berbatov and can do the double over Chelsea this year I think the trophy will be heading back down the M6 towards London come May 2009.

Premier League opening day summary

Hull made a dream start to life in the Premier League, but fellow newcomers Stoke and West Brom were both beaten.

The Tigers, tasting top-flight football for the first time in their history, came from behind to defeat Fulham at a packed and passionate KC Stadium.

But Stoke were made to pay for two defensive lapses as they were beaten 3-1 by Bolton, while brave West Brom went down 1-0 to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.

Paul Ince’s first game in charge of Blackburn ended in a 3-2 victory over Everton and Middlesbrough enjoyed a 2-1 triumph against Tottenham.

Dean Ashton grabbed an early double in front of watching England boss Fabio Capello as West Ham defeated Wigan 2-1 at Upton Park.

The evening game saw Sunderland entertain Liverpool and The Reds started their title challenge on a winning note courtesy of Fernando Torres’ late winner.

Early wobbles

Hull were all at sea in the opening moments against Fulham, and it was no surprise when Seol Ki-Hyeon was given space between the centre-backs to flick Jimmy Bullard’s cross into the bottom corner.

But the Tigers recovered from their early wobbles, with Geovanni firing home an excellent equaliser before the break following a superb run and shot from outside the box.

And Folan made sure his name will forever be remember in Hull as he stroked home the winning goal nine minutes from time after Paul Konchesky’s error gifted the ball to Craig Fagan.

Samir Nasri’s early goal was enough for Arsenal as they held out against West Brom to secure a 1-0 victory at Emirates Stadium.

A typical flowing move from the Gunners saw Denilson cut the ball back for the £12million summer signing to slot beyond Scott Carson.

The Baggies improved after the break and came close to equalising only for Johan Djourou to clear Paul Robinson’s shot off the line.

Stoke’s jubilation at their top-flight return evaporated in the opening 45 minutes as Bolton cruised into a 3-0 half-time lead.

The Potters fell behind to a freak goal from Gretar Steinsson in the 34th minute, when his cross-shot from out on the right wing somehow flew into the top corner of the net.

Then poor marking at two set-pieces before the break allowed Kevin Davies and new signing Johan Elmander to head home.

Ricardo Fuller pulled one back in the second half, but it was all in vain for Tony Pulis’ side.

 

Last-gasp glory

Andre Ooijer’s last-gasp strike secured victory for Paul Ince in his first Premier League game in charge of Blackburn at Everton.

Ince did not have to wait long to celebrate Rovers’ first goal of his management, with David Dunn showing quick feet to create space on the edge of the box before beating Tim Howard all ends up.

But Mikel Arteta’s clever free-kick caught new arrival Paul Robinson napping as he whipped the ball in at the near post to level matters before the interval.

Everton then edged in front when Arteta escaped down the left and delivered an inch-perfect cross to the far post for Yakubu Aiyegbeni to head home.

But the lead was short-lived as Stephen Warnock found Roque Santa Cruz in behind the home defence and the big striker slotted home before Ooijer had the final say.

Middlesbrough enjoyed an impressive opening day victory over big-spending Tottenham.

David Wheater, who had a goal ruled out in the first half, scored with 19 minutes remaining from point-blank range after Spurs failed to clear a corner and Afonso Alves’ initial shot fell to the defender at the back post.

And Mido made it 2-0 with time running out as he deflected Gary O’Neil’s shot beyond Heurelho Gomes, before Robert Huth’s late own goal.

West Ham striker Ashton sent a message to watching England coach Capello with two early goals against Wigan.

Ashton’s first was a stunning strike, as he turned Paul Scharner and lashed a fearsome shot beyond Chris Kirkland from the edge of the area, before adding a close-range second when Wigan failed to deal with a corner from the left.

Amr Zaki gave the Latics hope after the break with another excellent finish, volleying home after Emile Heskey had flicked on a long throw into the box, but the Hammers held on.

Liverpool left it late at Sunderland, but kicked off their Premier League with a 1-0 win thanks to Torres’ winner.

Chances were at a premium at the Stadium of Light with neither side creating any first half chances of note.

Both sides had opportunities to forge in front, but with the game scoreless entering the last ten minutes of play a draw looked on the cards.

However, the visitors did not read the script and Xabi Alonso picked out Torres with a neat through-ball with the Spain international striker dispatching a pin-point right-footed shot past the helpless Craig Gordon to snatch all three points.

Chelsea win Mutu case

Fifa has ordered former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu to pay the club £13.68m in damages for breach of contract after he tested positive for cocaine.

Chelsea signed the Romanian from Parma for £15m in 2003 but the following year he tested positive and was given a seven-month worldwide football ban.

Earlier in the year lawyer Cristian Sarbu said Fifa told Mutu to pay £9.6m but the fine was raised on appeal.

Chelsea said they were “delighted” by the ruling.

After being sacked by Chelsea and serving his ban, Mutu joined Juventus in January 2005, and at the end of the following season he moved to his current side, Fiorentina.

“This is a very significant decision for football,” said a statement on the Chelsea website.

“Not only did the Dispute Resolution Chamber make us a very significant monetary award, it also recognised the damaging effect incidents involving drugs has on football and the responsibility we all have in this area.”

Mutu can now appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.

Frank Lampard – Money wins again

I have always been a big Frank Lampard fan. Even in his West Ham days there was something about him that made me realise he was destined to be a superstar player.

At Chelsea he has fulfilled that status and I have often defended him whne others around me have slated him for one reason or another. I’d love to have him in any team I support.

This summer though I’ve been telling myself and you through this blog that the best thing to do now is move on to Inter Milan and give it a crack. I think he would have been a success. But Frank Lampard decided to see it out at Chelsea and thought he was worth a 5 year deal of around £150,000 per week.
At 30 I thought he was nuts to demand such a contract. I certainly can’t see him being a top premier league midfielder in 5 years and his cureent game surely only has another 2 years in it before he start feeling the aches and pains more frequent than not.

Some people have turned to me and said well if he keeps himself fit and healthy he can go on for another 5 years. Unfortunately footballers don’t quite work like that. you see their heads still think and feel the same, they start lunging for tackles and running at angles to catch players the same as they always have, however the legs that have covered thousands of miles by the time they are in their 30’s start slowing up and even if it’s one stride they lose per run it’s enough to ensure the timing is off enough to cost them a yellow or even a red card when they throw the tackle in.

Players are finely tuned athleetes these days and I’m worried Mr Lampard won’t have the legs to last 5 years no matter how fit he feels today.

So I guess I should be congratulating him on forcing Chelsea into this move. It is most definately though a case of a player being bigger than a club. This sort of thing would never happen at Manchester United under the mighty Mr Ferguson, but then again Sir Alex would never offer a 30 year old a 5 year contract.

One thing that did miff me though about Frank was him saying he stayed because of the tribute the other players made to his late mother. No you never Frank, you stayed because they finally agreed to your unhealthy demands!

Wrexham Squaring up to non league status.

It was a blow for my home town Wrexham last year when they where relegated from the football league.

A lot of people thought it just couldn’t happen, some quickly began to point fingers of blame. some at Brian Little, some at neville Dickens and some at individual players. It was a low spot for the club there is no doubt but in Brian Little, I believe the club has a manager given the time, support and freedom to run the players his way can not only get us back into the league but also take them onwards and upwards.

Mr Little has made some very good signings considering our non league status and an excellent pre-season led to mixed reaction from the fans I spoke to around the town. some thought it was too good to be true and that when the league kicked off it would be business as usual. which based on last seasons games means dropping silly points against teams that Wrexham should really be beating.

Stevenage at home was supposedly a tough one to start the season with. After all many a bookie has Stevenage down as the favourites for promotion this term.

Wrexham in front of a decent attendance of just under 5,000,  produced a superb display and hammered Stevenage 5-0. Captain Tom Kearney, Jefferson Louis and Shaun Whalley, all new boys, scored and Christian Smith and Marc Williams banged in a couple to the delight of the home fans.

The only negative was the sending off of Levi Mackin, but to see him as upset with himself as he was signalled he’d learnt his lesson before he’d left the pitch.

If there was pressure on Wrexham to do well before, the pressure will certainly be on  from now.
And if they’re going to play like this I may just find myself attending a few more games this year!