Another International break saw England beat Khazakhstan and Belarus, and take our win count to 4 consecutively in Group 6. I have to say that with the away win over Croatia in the bag we must surely finish top and I agree with Rooney's recent comments that he believes the team could go on to score a perfect 10 by beating all opponents in the Group. I was really pleased to see Alex Song had the guts to come and talk about the booing and its one of those moments I love to see in the game when players stick up for one another. Personally I agree with 99% of all comments on this matter and nobody should ever get booed, we all make mistakes and its part of the game (thats my philosophy when I manage my team and I always encourage my players to have the same beliefs). I think the crowds that attend International games are a different breed altogether and the majority of them would not have been Chelsea or Ashley Cole fans. I can only assume that with the credit crunch here, the amount players earn, his recent media exposure with regards to his wife and the theatre atmosphere at Wembley it all just got to a few people. If I had to play devil's advocate I would agree that fans have a right to vent how they feel... but I thought Ashley deserves some praise for carrying on in a professional manner.
Week 8 again saw more Zaki goals, another Liverpool fightback and another shaky Arsenal start... Understandably the Arsenal team have had some uncomfortable starts when the defence has had to have been re-organised. Personally I don't think Song is a defender, I like to see him employed in front of the back four but I bow to Wenger's judgement on this one and the lad proved himself versatile enough and was rewarded for a competent performance on Tuesday with an excellent goal. However, going back to Saturday, the Everton game didn't start well for Arsenal. We again looked too easily disturbed at the back. Osman is a decent player and he did well getting on the end of a relatively easily constructed move. The boys turned it around though and with another good display from Walcott we continued the fightback to win 3-1. I fully expect us to go on and beat the stuttering Hammers at Upton Park confidently. I would just like to add that I think Clichy is really turning into a brilliant full back. His enthusiasm for getting forward and pace make him exciting and boy can he tackle! Wigan did well going to Anfield by playing their own game. They started well and Zaki, much to my surprise, continued his rich form by scoring two well finished goals. His overall game is good and by scoring the goals the way he did I think he proved he doesnt even need great service to score. Agger did well setting up the goal for Kuyt after gifting Zaki and I have to say Kuyt has always been a striker and should stay there - I was dissappointed for him when he didnt start on Wednesday night. All credit due to Liverpool but I don't think it was fully deserved though as Valencia's 1st yellow card was very harsh, although saying that he still made the tackle he did on a yellow... silly. Chelsea showed everyone what having squad depth does for you with a good performance from Belletti in the middle of the park. Malouda seems a different player now but still needs composure with his final ball. Middlesbrough seemed vulnerable at every moment but I'm confident they aren't this bad, this coming weekend will be a test of character for them up at Ewood. One quick note about Chelsea's left backs... I think they should mate them cos if Ashley had Bridge's crossing he would be awesome. United again put in a classy performance and I'm glad Rooney is hitting the sort of form we expect from him. I'm not sure what that look on Ronaldo's face was when he scored but it convinced me even more that he's already decided to leave the club. Giggs continues to belie his years and i'll take this time to say that his loyalty to the club as well as his ability makes him one of my favourite Premiership players. Not much to report elsewhere, Fulham v Sunderland was actually a good game to watch. Zoltan Gera amazes me, I'm not sure how he gets on the teamsheet, I feel as though he should have remained a Championship player perhaps? Overall I think Sunderland should have won but it seemed to be the FA's week for clamping down on wall infringements! Both sides missed good chances in the Villa v Pompey fixture and Villa will be a bit gutted they didn't nick it I think. Mike Riley had to send Davis off it was definitely two bookable offences. Harry said something I agreed with at the end of the game as well. Anybody stupid enough to throw coins (or anything for that matter) should be banned for life. It is also my opinion that although fans are the ones that break the laws, a club has a responsibility for the people it lets into its ground. The FA, or UEFA for that matter considering recent events in Madrid, need to ensure that the clubs are ultimately responsible for enforcing bad crowd behaviour. I think every major club should have cameras on the crowd and action bans on any member of that crowd that breaks bad behaviour rules. If a club can't do this, surely the FA or UEFA should be looking to banning home attendance for that club... Bolton v Blackburn was another 0-0 result and again, both sides missed some good chances. The Reebok stadium continues to be hard place to visit so I think Incey will be reasonably pleased with the result.
Sundays games were very interesting and as I said Tottenham found it difficult in front of the home crowd, Ramos looked desperate at times and I don't blame him. All credit to the Spurs fans for their continued support. City seem to be cursed as they dropped more points against Newcastle who are turning things round it seems, maybe Joe should keep the job.
Some action this week in Europe and most notably Arsenals hammering of Fenerbache in Turkey. This is probably more significant a result than Porto. Danny asked me on my last blog who I tipped to be the Premiership champions this year and I'm not one to hide or sit on the fence so I'll say Chelsea. I think United will take it very close and possibly after Christmas even take the lead but in the end I think the massive depth of talent at Chelsea just pips it... especially if Ronaldo leaves United in the January transfer window!
Good luck to all English teams involved in European competition tonight, I do actually hope Spurs turn the corner and thrash Udinese away. PS - Becks back to the Prem? Yes please!