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Five Things We Learned Watching Football This Week

Published by Ian John on November 8, 2010

Another weekend of football across England and Europe and what are the things we have learned from watching the great and good of Barcelona and Messi, Real Madrid and Ronaldo, United and, erm, Park Ji Sung and Celtic with the entire Aberdeen team? Read on to find out.

1. PLAYING AGAINST 10 MEN ISN’T NECESSARILY MORE DIFFICULT : Fair play to Aberdeen. I have always wondered why footballers are so keen to portray an obvious advantage, such as having one more player than the opposition, as actually a disadvantage. How often have you heard a player say playing ten men is ‘more difficult’? Well on Saturday, Aberdeen showed us the other side of that coin. Reduce to 10 men with the game at 0-0, the Dons surrended a meagure nine goals to Celtic, who found playing against 10 men so easy, they decided to even things up just before half time by having a player of their own sent off.

2. ARSENE DOESN’T LISTEN TO ANYBODY: For the past two years Arsenal fans, to a man, have clamoured for Wenger to sign a new goalkeeper. All too often a goalkeeping calamity has gifted Arsenal’s opponents goals and points at crucial stages of the season and once again this was in evidence at the weekend as Fabianksi was outjumped by Andy Carroll to give Newcastle a well-deserved three points at the Emirates and hand Arsenal their second defeat to newly promoted opposition, at home, this season. Still, there’s always January Arsenal fans, when Arsene will no doubt look around, consider all his options, check the bank balance, speak with the board, and by a diminutive but talented central midfield player.

3. UNITED STILL HAVE THE KNACK : They are not playing well at the moment by their own lofty standards but Manchester United still seem able to grab crucial goals at the right moment. Fresh from having tormented Wolves in the Carling Cup with a last gasp winner at Old Trafford thanks to Luis “Little Pea”, “Chicarito”, “I’ve More Nicknames than anybody else” Hernandez, they only go and do it again at the weekend thanks to Park Ji Sung’s last minute winner against Mick McCarthy’s men. They are the only unbeaten team in the Premier League at the minute despite looking eminently beatable at times and that is the hallmark of a very good team indeed.

4. YOUNG ENGLAND STARS BEGINNING TO SHINE: I don’t want to sound overly optimistic but is this the season when many of the old guard at national team level finally start to lose their place in the squad? The performances of the likes of Gary Cahill, Joe Hart, Chris Smalling, Adam Johnson, Andy Carroll, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere in particular are cause for some optimism for England fans looking for hope after a disasterous World Cup finals and a somewhat disappointing 0-0 draw with Montenegro the last time out. It will be interesting to see who Fabio Capello picks for the forthcoming game with France.

5. THE ‘CHAMPIONS LEAGUE’ IS HARDLY THE PINNACLE: UEFA may style their competition as the biggest in the world. It may have the most money available to its participants and offer glory to players and riches to the club owners but for fans, it seems that the Champions League lacks just one thing. Appeal. How many games have we seen this season where a top side has faced a lesser side, and the stadium has been littered with empty seats, or ‘reserve’ team players picked for the games? It’s worth remembering that for every AC Milan – Real Madrid or Barcelona – Manchester United clash, there are a hell of a lot more Bursaspor v Panathinaikos clashes which have about as much appeal to fans as placing their wedding tackle in a food-mixer. Or so it would seem.

GOOD WEEKEND FOR…
- Fernando Torres – He’s remembered what he is good at. Which is scoring goals and providing John Terry with something to aim his knee at when ‘challenging’ for a header.
- Park Ji Sung – Another last gasp goal for one of the most under-rated players in the Premier League.
- Mario Balotelli – He scored two excellent goals and then showed his real character by getting sent off! Super Mario!
- Aberdeen Fans – Well, its in the past now and lets be honest, things can only get better from here.
- Chris Hughton – Who is now in a good position when it comes to renegotiate his contract with Newcastle United this week.

BAD WEEKEND FOR…
- Lukasz Fabianski – Given his chance in the sticks at the Emirates he failed to grasp it with both hands. That resulted in Andy Carroll heading Newcastle to victory and raising real questions about Arsenal’s title credentials.
- Harry Redknapp – Gareth Bale may terrorise Maicon, but Gretar Steinsson and co had a far more comfortable afternoon, thumping four past a hapless Spurs who seemed fast asleep for most of the game. The lack of Champions League experience at White Hart Lane is starting to show with another under-par performance after a big midweek game. If you want to know how bad things are, Liverpool have the same number of points as Tottenham in the league now.
- Chelsea – Outplayed and out-thought at Anfield. John Terry running around the field like a petulant cow, kicking everything that moved. Not the best weekend for Ancelotti’s men and it is the second time this has happened on the road against a supposedly top team. That must be a worry, especially with no strength in depth in the squad anymore.

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