Didn't I say that I wanted 7? 7-0. Not 6-0. Geez. It could've, should've been 8 or 9, even 12. And all we got was 6.
Evidently, it's not very often you feel rather dissatisfied with a 6-0 win. Yes, it was a good showing, we had some real moments of brilliance, but apart from Theo, the finishing was all in all rather ordinary. It was such a one-sided match, Blackpool were as naive as naive could be in remaining "true" to some form of an attacking game, that the game took on an almost pre-season run about feel. We should've taken more of an advantage. I'm sure Chelski if given the same chance would've come away 8 or 9 goal boost to their goal difference.
But, before I get carried away, what were the really good points: Theo. For sure. At last, he's shown what he's capable of. Three excellent finishes, and a couple of sublime assists, passes and runs as well. Yes, there were one or two awkward crosses and passes, but we can forgive him that. Jack Wilshere. Had a good 90 minute run-out, and did not at any time look out of place. Kudos to boy. This is exactly what we need for him. Keep this up, and he'll be excellent cover for the likes of Cesc, Nasri, Song. Rosicky. Another good run-out, more than able to be the creative force. He seems to have a slightly better eye for the pass than Samir even, so fingers crossed he keeps fit. Who knows, with Wilshere up to it, we might be able to rest him every now and then. Vermaelen/Song. Had absolutely nothing to do, and looked dominant with every weak punch that Blackpool could throw.
Of course, there were a few disappointments too. The Arsh put in a slightly better performance today that at Anfield, but you could tell he's still way off the pace, and had way too many wayward passes and touches. He's gonna need a couple more weeks at the very least. To look so knackered against a weak Blackpool by the hour? That's not on, my friend. Chamakh. Should've had a hat-trick himself too. A few good chances. With a cooler head, and better luck, he would've been the one to bring us to 8 or 9. Ironic that he probably scored with his most difficult chance late on. Cracking header.
So yes, 6 is always good. But what the scoreline actually reveals is how we need to be so much better with putting away our chances. I don't think we'll find as generous opponents in the Group stages of the Champions League, the FA Cup or even any other team in the Premier League. I mean, look at it this way: I think we played our best football for just 50 minutes or so. From Theo's first to his last. We were 5-0 up with more than half an hour to play. Prior to the first, Blackpool showed a few moments of quality and excellent passing. After our last, it was all there for the taking, but we took our foot off the pedal. Theo's departure left a huge hole in our incisiveness, and with Cesc and RVP on - you could feel that all they wanted was a good safe run-out with getting any injuries. C'est la vie. Bring on Blackburn next week. That should be a better test - though looks like they're now 0 for 2 in the new season.
You know what makes our 6-0 win all the less satisfying? Chelski's second drubbing of same scoreline, that's what. Dammit. Two games, GD of +12, and we couldn't make more ground on the GD with far more promiscuous opponents in Blackpool.
Enough from Mr Damp Squib then, right?
Alright - final little thing for today. You know something - I'm not quite sure what to expect this coming week. We have Blackburn of course, but in terms of signings, it looks like it could be another long long week of nothing. And I don't think I could take any more of that. Saturday's the 28th. Deadline's 1st September. No prizes for anyone predicting a last-minute rush, if even. There're new rumours of us and Bordeaux's Ciani. Hmph. What. Ev. Er.
Oh yeah - has anyone seen those stories about Adebayor? Funny that. Makes me happy.
Alright. Gonna go watch Match of the Day for the 3rd time, just to watch the best parts of our win, and to also wince again at Chamakh's open goal Miss of the Day. Ciao.
1 comment:
Don't be so harsh lah Mr Arsewiper. I was very pleased that Theo had an excellent game. He always has a flash of incredibly blinding brilliance, but is never able to keep it up for a game.
And he did very well while he was on. Excellent.
I actually quite like this Chamakh fellow. He's only taken two games to score, which is quite fair. And seeing as how he could have had a few more is quite heartening. I like the way he can pull play together and he has an eye for the pass. A much better option than Bendtner.
Actually I was thinking it wld be really quite awesome to have Chamakh and Bendtner as our front two. Sagna can cross into the box to his heart's content and we'll have two big fellas to try to knock 'em in.
That wld be quite fun agst teams like Blackburn.
And on Chelsea, yes they are looking good. But we started off pretty darn well last season, as I recall and finished it with our pants at our knees and our asses barely hanging on to 3rd place.
Hope it's the same for our wonderful fellow Londoners.
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