Arsenal didn’t even
need dodgy lasagne
Since they lost the derby Arsene’s boys have become the type
of defensively strong, results driven team that they never threatened to
be. The improvement in Laurent Koscielny
alone this season has been staggering.
With a pre-season for once not dominated by their best players leaving
it’s tempting to wonder what they could achieve if they started next season
with the same attitude that they ended this one with. This being Arsenal you still somehow can’t
see it happening. They’ll probably not
sign anyone apart from a couple of French youth prospects and lose away to
Stoke first game of the season. Still,
nice to think that Arsene’s eight year plan may just come good after all.
Sunderland’s holiday
being cancelled did them the world of good
On the players selected for this game Di Canio’s threats to
cancel summer holidays if the team didn’t perform worked wonders. His players chased and harried as if their
trips to Vegas depended on it. Down to
the bare bones in terms of selection defensively they were solid, Tottenham
relying on another Bale screamer to break the deadlock in the last minute. The more telling implication may be on the
players that weren’t there, Di Canio raging against the pathetic attitude of unnamed
players. In the week he was pictured
covered in £50 notes in a casino at 2 in the morning it would be a major
surprise if Phil Bardsley didn’t find himself seeking employment elsewhere.
Spurs need investment
Another season and another near miss for Spurs. That this was their highest points total in
the Premier League era will be scant consolation. How they come back from this will be
telling. Keeping Gareth Bale will of
course be key but it would be nice to see the club recognise that at times this
season they were dangerously close to being a one man team. As with last summer they need a 20 goal a
season striker as a priority. Having
Daniel Levy not make headlines negotiating for one all the way until August 31st
would also be helpful.
Jack Rodwell reminds
us all
Pretty much the only positive for City out of their tired
looking (of which more later) surprise loss to Norwich was the performance of
Rodwell. Given a rare start he gave a
timely reminder of what potential he has when fit. He tackled and passed with aplomb and took
his two goals well to remind everyone what a player he could be. The only way he’ll make good on his potential
it to stay injury free and play 30 plus games next season, both of which the
odds are unfortunately against him doing at City.
Next year could be
Countinho’s season
Sturridge may have scored 11 goals in 11 starts for his new
club but the best piece of business Liverpool completed in the January transfer
window was the capture of the young Brazilian.
His vision and passing have made Liverpool team click going forward as
they never have before and are a big reason behind any optimism for a top four
push next season. And he’s got my vote
for the assist of the season for his outside of the boot through ball against
Fulham. His goal yesterday wasn’t bad
either.
Newcastle will be glad
this season is over
The strange thing about Newcastle’s stuttering season has
been that in league it’s often been the players they fought so hard to keep
last year that have let them down. Yesterday
they never looked like spoiling Arsenal’s party. Cheick Tiote in particular has gone from the
signing of the season to the week link in his team. Outside of a few games Cabaye hasn’t been at
his usual standard either. Whether this
is due to speculation over their futures, second season syndrome or just
tiredness after a long season with (at least originally) a small squad
Newcastle will be glad they can now look forward to starting again in August.
Andy Carroll should
stay at West Ham
Yes he’s been playing very well, threatening defenses scoring
goals and yesterday creating two, the second with a deft touch and pass that illuminated
Upton Park. You can’t help thinking
though that Carroll’s pretty much got it as good as it gets at West Ham. He has a manger who plays to his strengths,
his mate Nolan behind him, two wingers providing ammunition and pretty much a guarantee
that when fit he’ll lead the line. With
his future still undecided and other clubs sure to express an interest Carroll
will face a difficult decision. Will he
ever have it better than West Ham though?
With Newcastle, going back to Liverpool and Monaco as his other options
he’d be better staying somewhere he knows he’ll be appreciated.
The post season trips
by Chelsea and Man City are a mistake
Chelsea played their 69th game of the season
yesterday. This is a lot. So the sensible thing to do is probably to
fly to America for a post season tour and two more games against Man City (who in
their match against Norwich looked very tired themselves). Modern football gives us daily opportunities
to proclaim the point in which it sold a bit more of its soul for money. Even so, this is a clearer one than most. At the end of a season that offered a rare
chance for rest this trip will only succeed in limiting both club’s competitiveness
for next season. You can’t help
wondering if this would be happening if Jose was in charge. We’re likely to find out at the end of next
season.
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