Nearly safe, the approach at the Bridge, costly indiscipline, Harry’s challenges,
Two consecutive home wins have lifted much of the the gloom and Stoke City are now in a strong position to reach the magical 40 points mark and confirm a fifth consecutive season the Premier League. Against Norwich on Saturday we retained possession with more confidence than previous matches and Etherington’s masterful strike broke the visitors stubborn resistance. Having displayed characteristic tenacity to get ahead we never looked like losing the lead in the closing minutes. Throughout the game we were on top all over the pitch. We still aren’t creative enough, but few can deny we deserved the points. With that in mind, Norwich manager Paul Lambert’s claim that the whole game hinged on the throw in that led to Matty’s winner is lame to say the least. We were indeed lucky to get the throw but Lambert would be better off addressing the slack defending that allowed Jerome to flick the throw on and Matty the time and space to pick his spot! My grapes taste sweet Mr Lambert, how about yours?
Our next game is away to Chelsea. There will be intense media scrutiny on how our opponents respond to the departure of Andre Villa Boas. Much of our focus will be on how we approach the game. Too often we have gone to away games overly consumed with the strengths of our opponent. While fully aware that every team you face will cause problems, we must remember the problems we can cause them! Chelsea are not the team they were and lack confidence. If we can unsettle them doubts will creep in and maybe we can squeeze mistakes and take advantage. Most importantly, we mustn’t accept defeat before a ball is kicked.
It’s hard to work out who the ideal candidate for the manager’s job at Stamford Bridge would be. To remove Ancelotti and replace him with AVB was a costly time absorbing exercise. Had they used the same energy and resources to support their managers they may well be in a stronger position. In all this it could still be AVB who gets the last laugh. He’s only 34 years old and still has the potential to become one of European football’s big hitters. In five years time he may be in a position to reflect on his 257 days managing Chelsea as a learning curve…. and he won’t even be 40.
Discipline is a vital element in any successful football team. Players must be able and prepared to stay on task and fulfill responsibilities to their club and it’s supporters. In the last minute of Brisbane Roar’s game against Melbourne Heart at the weekend, a high price was paid for the previous weeks indiscipline. With the score at 1-1 Brisbane spent the final ten minutes laying siege to the Heart goal. For all of Brisbane’s possession, Heart defended with admirable composure and rugged tenacity. Just as it seemed Heart had weathered the orange storm, Brisbane were awarded a penalty. A precious opportunity to reach the top of the table with three games of the regular season remaining. Mohamed Adnan, the Roar’s Bahraini centre back, stepped forward to seal a priceless victory. Heart keeper Clint Bolton saved the spot kick. While not wanting to belittle Bolton’s save, the point has to be made that Adnan’s penalty wasn’t the best. It was ideal height for the keeper who gratefully palmed the ball away. That Adnan was taking the penalty at all was due to the regular taker, Henrique, serving a suspension. In the previous game in Perth, when Roar were 3-0 ahead and cruising to victory, Henrique inexplicably slapped an opponent and saw red. I don’t doubt that had Henrique played he’d have scored the penalty with ruthless precision. That he was unavailable is due to foolish indiscipline which has proved to be costly. Players need to be aware of the full implications of their actions.
The appointment of Harry Redknapp as England manager is seemingly inevitable. The excellent job he’s done at Spurs combined with a clamour for an Englishman at the helm appears to have secured him the role. Not that anything will be confirmed yet. The FA have acknowledged that the new manager may not be announced until the end of the domestic season. Whether Harry is suited to the job is hard to tell. There is no doubt he communicates well with players. One point that has to be raised however is that his achievements at Spurs are the result of working closely day to day with players and having the time to spend with them individually and collectively. Managing England can be thankless task with many hours of isolation involved. Also, Redknapp’s biggest strength is working the transfer market and that facility is unavailable at international level. But, whatever happens, don’t call him a “Wheeler dealer”!! *Warning, contains bad language* http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJBsI7RAuvk
In December when the draw for the European Championship was made it was surprising that much of the media regarded England’s qualification for the quarter finals of Euro 2012 as a mere formality. Every side you face in a tournament will cause you problems. The opening game against a resurgent France will shape the group. If France’s impressive win in Germany is a pointer it will be a tough challenge for the England team… whoever the manager is.
Looking ahead to 2014 FIFA secretary Jerome Valcke has publicly criticised Brazil’s World Cup organising committee for their 2014 preparations. This led to the Brazilian Sports Minister, Aldo Rebelo, demanding Valcke be replaced as the FIFA representative they have to predominantly deal with. As a nation looking to establish itself as an economic superpower a smooth World Cup is crucial to Brazil’s credibility. For the sake of their own integrity, instead of lashing out at Valcke, they would be better advised to take the steps to ensure that they will be ready in June 2014.