England 0 Montenegro 0: What was that?
I understand we have to give Montenegro their dues. They aren't an easy side to beat, they have good players, have made a quality start to the qualification process and showed at Wembley that they are difficult to beat. But we are England. The country that invented the game, a nation with a selection of top-class players and a supposedly world-class manager. And we looked distinctly average, disgustingly average in a dull and dreary game. Adam Johnson and Ashley Young were okay, but Wayne Rooney looked completely disinterested and the team didn't gel well enough in the slightest. And we can continue to blame the players, a lot of the fault is theirs, but Fabio Capello is making it hard to stick up for him. We should have won this game, and it puts up more questions about his methods of motivation and tactical nous for the English side. Let this blog go on record as saying Harry Redknapp should be England manager, and the sooner the better.
United Blow It: Chelsea in the Driving Seat
The weekend's Premier League games have seen the season's themes continue; Manchester United blew a winning position to draw an 'easy' game and Chelsea maintain their momentum to further push ahead in the title race. West Brom are no mugs but United will be more than upset with the 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, while Chelsea will be happy with a point from the difficult trip to Villa Park. Carlo Ancelotti's men have a belief around them; a strength that sees them grind out results and power past teams. Sir Alex Ferguson's side seem leaderless; Rooney has lost the plot, Ferdinand is constantly injured and even ever-steady Van der Sar dropped a clanger against the Baggies. The Blues must be rubbing their hands.
Commonwealth Games: Shaky start, calls of corruption but a success
There was a lot of criticism leading up to the New Delhi games, and there are investigations into corruption at the tournament since it has ended, but the actual competition itself was a success. When you get down to it, the focus of the Commonwealth Games should always be the performances themselves and they didn't disappoint. England gained gold medals in swimming, archery and diving to name a few, while performed admirably in the many athletics events. India may have stole in at the last to gain second place in the medals table but it doesn't matter; the sheer volume of the Indian crowd as the 4x400m relay team came in for gold, and their continued fanatical support of their athletes throughout each and every sport. And that is what you call a successful games.
Murray Back on Top: Andy Smashes Federer
Andy Murray looked well and truly on form in his overpowering of Roger Federer in the final of the Shanghai Masters. The Scot won in straight sets; 6-3 6-2; and the manner of his victory was very impressive; he broke serve in the first game and scored numerous fantastic winners. In what has been a disappointing year for Murray, capped with an early exit from the US Open, he finally seems to have reached a level of form and can begin to look forward again. He knows how to play and beat the great Federer now; he has eight wins from thirteen matches against the Swiss legend; but the key to success is consistency and overcoming the powerful Rafael Nadal.
No Improvement for Roy: Hodgson & Henry have long road ahead
The latest saviour has come to Anfield after John Henry completed his protracted takeover of the club, but there was no reflection on the pitch. Roy Hodgson's men were lifeless in a deserved 2-0 defeat to Everton; Torres shouldn't have bothered turning up, Gerrard was more interested in kicking the other team and the rest of them formed a blob of mediocrity. Hodgson must realise that pretty soon he will be in an impossible position; this squad could lead the Reds to becoming a mid-table side or even worse. A massive overhaul of the squad is needed if they are to get into Europe this season, and although Hodgson is a very good manager, Liverpool need yet another messiah to get out of this mess.
Portsmouth 3 Watford 2: Comeback Kings
Luck has finally swung back in our favour. After the unluckiest of all starts, Pompey have picked up form and it was evident in an entertaining game against high-flying Watford. The Hornets played well, deserved more than a defeat and possibly more than a point, but there is renewed confidence around Fratton Park. Hayden Mullins' stunner typified that luck, while both Dave Kitson and Michael Brown's goals were a pleasure to witness and sent all Blues fans wild. All this coming from behind shows the improvement in recent weeks. Hopefully, that resurgence continues in the tough trip to Millwall tonight. Also, can the administrators please stop trying to halt this club's progression and do two things; do everything within their power to get us out of administration and let Steve Cotterill sign Greg Halford? Please?
Play Up Pompey
Remember this guy Liverpool fans? Alberto Aquilani shows how it is done for Juventus against Leece this weekend with a cracking goal. Atleast he's only on loan at the moment.
NWR
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