The Meeko - Week 2 - Footbo

Now, I know this is going to sound like I'm jumping on the band wagon, especially after Steve MacClaren's comments this week about 'The Impossible Role' and how everyone over-reacts to England results but seriously... what is Capello doing picking a team that the previous 3 managers have picked and come up with nothing? Surely he should have known Gerrard doesn't work on the left, surely he should have known that Wes Brown is too inexperienced for the international stage, surely he should have known Rooney and Defoe get isolated when they play together... It was his 5th game in charge... it looked more like his 1st. There was no clear formation going forward, if there was I don't believe the players stuck to it (or weren't told how to). They only thing I would give Capello was that he stuck to (almost) picking the best 11 players, proven at that level. Nothing wrong with that in my book. BUT - it must be time for a change now. These current players either have a mental block playing for their country or they need a kick up the backside! Capello, please, ring some changes and play the team how you want to. We have enough quality in England to win a major trophy!
And just one more thing... maybe the only way to accomodate the wealth of midfield talent we have is to play with wing backs, has any England manager tried this yet? Who could do the wing-back job on the right?

Anyway, enough ranting. This weekends football certainly brought about some shocks! I said it last week... don't underestimate the new clubs this early in the season! They proved me right. Hull had another impressive result up at Ewood Park, even with a change in personnel it's still a tough place to go. Ince has got Rovers playing some good football but I still think Hull deserved the draw. They were fantastic in defence and took their chance when they had it. Let's see how long this lasts! I think the same goes for Stoke, again they battled well and the direct game paid off but I'm not sure it will last. Delap played well, as did Fuller but they have proven before they are not fit for a Premiership marathon. Still, a good 3 points against a Villa side most expect to do well this season.
Sunderland got a great result down at White Hart Lane, Tottenham's problems worsen... <snigger>. I don't know what is going on with Baerbatov but it clearly needs to be resolved as soon as possible. Huddlestone didn't start again? Is he not fit? Sunderland on the other hand have every right to be pleased... Keane masterminded bringing Cisse back to england and it paid off... Now with Anton Ferdinand to strengthen the defence I really think the Black cats will do surprisingly well if they keep certain key players fit. Possibly Europe?
I was dissappointed Arsenal lost to Fulham at the weekend. They had the lions share of the ball but failed to create anything substantial. I don't think this was a goal scoring problem, more a lack of creativity. I think the midfield was just too inexperienced. I agree with Wengers die-hard principles of using youngsters but I think we are still missing some meat in the middle of the park. I heard someone on the radio the other day mention Gattuso or Barry. Wenger will never pay over the odds for anyone and I don't think Barry is worth the price tag Villa have put on him. Gattuso has re-signed apparently, could have been a coup! On the other hand, I think Silvestre was a great signing to bolster the back four and letting Senderos go must mean he thinks Djourou has come of age.
The other 3 of the big four made certain they carried on as they'd started. Liverpool didn't play very well I thought but they still won, some say this is the sign of a great team... all credit to Middlesbrough who will be bitterly upset thay at least didn't take home a point. I thought much the same of Chelsea but they also won. Deco proving his intelligence with a good free-kick. Man Utd were a bit slow and lacked fire-power but got the result they needed against a Pompey side still finding its feet. I don't think Fletcher will finish the season with more than 6 goals this term so someone at Old Trafford needs to find their scoring boots quickly... Lastly, if Keegan gets the support he has been crying out for, for the last 3 weeks and gets some funds from the board to sign a few more players I believe the Toon army will finally have a seasons they deserve. A good result against Bolton but more importantly a clean sheet and another sound defensive display.

Good luck to Arsenal finishing off their European tie against Twente, I expect the oposition to counter attack quickly but I think Wenger will be keen to keep a clean sheet after the weekend. I think it will come to something special, like a Van Persie free-kick to seperate the teams. 1-0 to the home side.