And they’re off! Clean sheets, a law of my own, Brisbane’s next challenge,
Welcome back into my life football. My friend, my strength, my passion and of course, my eternal frustration! Weekends are inconsequential without you football my darling. The big kick off symbolises a return to midnight (or 1am) kick offs before retiring to bed usually accompanied by liberal doses of fatigue and deflation. It’s August, time to start all over again.
Stoke City’s 4th consecutive Premier League season started with characteristic tenacity. In our hard earned draw at home to Chelsea, we displayed many of the positive factors that have underpinned our recent success. While we rarely looked likely to score, our rugged defensive play and overall workrate ensured we got a point. As expected against a team of Chelsea’s undoubted quality, we were pegged back for much of the game. We handled their threat by outnumbering them, cutting down angles and stifling their movement. Shawcross showed why his international credentials still need to be questioned when he was caught out by Torres’ quick feet early on. It’s to Ryan’s credit that despite playing so long with a yellow card he was rarely flustered. Woodgate looked as impressive as he did in Split, if he can stay fit he could prove to be a great piece of business. The man of the match for me though was Begovic. In the second half phase where we were overran it was Begovic who saved us the precious point with a spate of impressive saves.
One worrying aspect of the game was to see Matty Etherington taken off with an injury. It emphasised further how paperthinour options are. When Matty painfully struggled off the pitch, with him went a huge portion of our attacking armory. This season we have played three games and emerged with three clean sheets, which is impressive. The other end of the park however is a concern. Lack of numbers and lack of quality limit our possibilities. Pulis Rudge and Coates will all know this area needs hefty investment. Securing the right players, at a cost which won’t endanger our clubs financial stability, is a monotonous often fruitless task. It’s one part of their job we don’t envy. here’s hoping that by the end of the month we have some fresh attacking personnel.
Where does that result leave Chelsea? Well Torres certainly seems to be regaining some his old vitality. While they lack the ruthless swagger of a few years ago, Villa Boas will be imposing his own philosophy on the team which, being a stickler for detail, will involve more thought than flair. At the moment though they will be painfully aware, as Arsenal will, that the season is barely underway …and already they are two points behind Man United.
The next league game is at Norwich. In all fairness it’s a game we should set out to win. The away form must improve and Sunday will be a good way to send the message out that we are no longer a soft touch on our travels. It’d be a relief if we have some new personnel in time for that game.
During the close season I invented a new law. Whilst listening to a phone in on Talksport after England’s 2-2 draw with Switzerland it was apparent that legislation was required. Somewhat narcissistically I named this new rule after myself and hereby announce Joe’s law! Some may be aware of ‘Godwins Law’. An American lawyer Mike Godwin created his own law which declares that as online discussions grow longer, the likelihood of a comparison with Hitler and the nazis increases. When the aforementioned subjects do enter the conversation the discussion loses all relevance. I have a lot to thank QI for! The Joe in oz law hereby states that whilst discussing the England football team, as soon as the word ‘passion’ is mentioned, the comment loses all relevance and is deemed null and void. Sven was unpopular because he didn’t stand on the touchline with contorted face and clenched fists displaying the ‘passion’ the English crave. What’s the thing always thrown at the England set up? Passion. England lack ‘passion’. ‘Passion’ manifests itself by way of crashing tackles and sticking your bonce amongst the boots to win a header. These aren’t bad attributes but at international level you need more than blood and thunder. Englands players are lacking because many have never had to consider a wider range to their game. Partly because of the nature of English football. That’s not to say it can’t change. Spain have proven that a football culture can evolve. If England are to develop into a side capable of challenging the worlds best physical clashes and gritted teeth won’t be the primary requirement.
The start of the A-League season here in Australia still two months away. Brisbane Roar captain Matty Mckay has agreed terms to join Rangers. The move is dependent on a work permit being secured. Whether the transfer goes through or not it’s indicative of the respect the reigning Australian champions command. Striker Kosta Barbarouses has already left for Russian club Alania Vladikavkaz. It’s beyond doubt that coach Ange Postecoglou would have loved to keep the championship winning team together to have a shot at the Asian Champi0ns league. There are some cold hard truths of football life to contend with though. If one of the players gets the chance to play overseas could he really afford to refuse that opportunity? Similarly, would it be right of the club to hold the player back? How the club addresses these issues will be instrumental in building on current success… or fading back into mediocrity. Good luck Ange.