Hello everyone and again, hope the New Year has kicked off well for you!
Most of us are back to work now as we move into the second half of what looks like the closest Premier League season for a good few years.
Our teams were up and down England playing FA Cup football this weekend past and some really telling stuff came out of it.
In a week that West Ham’s board have been talking about their interest in Jermain Defoe, the Hammers were annihilated again, this time by a rampant Manchester City who most people are writing off this season.
Despite some poor home performances, City looked magnificent as they ran rings around the Hammers and it wasn’t surprising to hear the comment from upstairs at the London Stadium, “the board is struggling to understand what the problem is”.
Elsewhere, Manchester United continued their rejuvenated form, brushing aside Reading, as did Spurs, who were decent against Aston Villa.
But for me, apart from the wonderful stories of lower-league sides hitting the fourth round were the other top-flight sides struggling after incorporating fringe players into the first XI.
Chelsea may have looked good banging four past Peterborough, but to be honest, three or four of the new boys looked out of their depth.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek was decent in the middle of the park, his physical presence powering him through the game.
But as for Nathaniel Chalobah, Michy Batshuayi and Ola Aina? Man, of course these guys need more game time and, when they do get a run, they’re keen to impress, which often creates bad decision-making.
But for me, not good enough. It’s a worrying indication that the cream of the youngsters at the club are a long level below the standard needed.
Chelsea have glorious facilities and hundreds of youngsters, many out on loan, but, besides Loftus-Cheek, when will it start bearing fruit?
My observation can be argued, it was a dominant display and the team did the business. Maybe I’ve got it all wrong?
The Blues do, of course, also have a number of world-class players on the bench.
I know that one place I haven’t got it wrong at is Anfield.
Let’s be fair here, despite the adrenalin boost, dream Cup tie performance enhancer, Liverpool were rubbish, adding an extra fixture – away to Plymouth next Tuesday.
I thought Kloppy’s response at the post-match presser was hilarious when he said “yipeeeee” sarcastically in response to the away date!
There’s little else barring the first 15 players, confirming my view, that unless they buy now that the transfer window has opened, they won’t last the chase.
And then of course Arsenal it was a similar story last week when they pulled a point with a 3-3 comeback against Bournemouth, after being absolutely dead in the first half.
Arsenal’s official Twitter account put out a message apologising to fans for putting their nerves on edge again!
I was speaking to an old friend on the weekend, played for Arsenal (and England U18s) many years ago.
He summed up his feelings quite nicely in a stern Cockney accent: “that lot ain’t got a chance, f***ing embarrassing, they don’t wanna play for the club.”
Anyway, before next week’s FA Cup replays we’re back to league action and a massive “Super Sunday”.
The early game is Everton v Man City, followed by that little one at Old Trafford
Man United v Liverpool!
It’s a game that will help determine the rest of the season for the North England giants. Of course, everyone else wants to see a draw.
I have a feeling Liverpool will show up in response to the poor showing on the weekend, despite the extra game in-between.