All Things Footie | Thursday, March 28 | Jordan
Better Late…
After a hectic week I've finally replaced my computer, if anyone's visited in the last 5 days I hope the passing tumbleweed didn't get in your way.
Summing up last weekend's results all seems a bit pointless (a bit like United) so suffice to say the whiskey's in the post to Steve McLaren. Well done to Middlesborough whose excellent defensive performance deserved a result — I wonder how many of those smug ‘I've got money on united at 10:1’ punters have reduced their wry smile to a nervous twitch.
Good on Dennis Bergkamp for showing that despite his doubters and a couple of lukewarm seasons there's no substitute for class. Another almost flawless performance from the Dutch master and a stunning display from Arsenal was only soured by the cruciate ligament injury to Robert Pires. The (surely) soon to be player of season will miss the rest of the domestic season and also the World Cup (barring a dodgy French team doctor telling him he's alright.)
For completeness here are last weekend's awards…
Performace of the week : Arsenal vs Newcastle
Player of the week : Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal vs Newcastle)
Goal of the week : Branko Strupar (Derby vs Everton)
Team of the week :
| Mark Schwarzer 'Boro |
| William Gallas Chelsea |
Marcel Desailly Chelsea |
Gareth Southgate 'Boro |
| Niclas Alexandersson Everton |
Thomas Gravesen Everton |
Patrick Vieira Arsenal |
John Arne Riise Liverpool |
| Benito Carbone 'Boro |
| Dennis Bergkamp Arsenal |
Youri Djorkaeff Bolton |
As for the England game last night, I don't think it told us a hell of a lot. Joe Cole should go to Japan and Korea, sure he'll get some flak from the red tops for getting caught in posession before the Italians first goal — but apart from that he was superb and the only player with any invention on the pitch. I wouldn't blame him too much for the first goal anyway, Ehiogu shouldn't have backed off Montella and it was an absolutely stunning strike.
Owen Hargreaves also looked lively, hard–working and up for the challenge. It's surprising what happens when you play someone in their preferred position as opposed to just thrusting them out left. If he can play right full back too (which I understand he has been for Bayern Munich recently) then we defintaely need him, Danny Mills is a waste of space and playing Argentina with Calamity Neville at the back doesn't bear thinking about.