Guys, am I losing the plot?
After the Man United v Chelsea game, Ryan Giggs and Michael Owen both said it was a “poor game”.
Have they also fallen into the trap of Covid-times "circus" football? I mean these are two greats of the English game, been there, done it and all that and they’re moaning because there were no goals?
I know you’re all going to say: “No Nick, they were complaining about the lack of creativity”. But sometimes creativity is completely nullified by brilliant defensive tactics.
The interesting situation in this game is that there was no bus parked, no deep lines. Both teams defended well and attempted to attack.
Yes, an outstanding threaded through-ball could have unlocked the game, but most of the play in the last third was controlled by well-drilled defenders.
Let’s face it, even Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were solid. Of course, "Ham Head Harry" should have been penalised for holding Cesar Azpilicueta down in the box. It was a stonewall penalty, why the f*** didn’t VAR look at it?
But hey, swings and roundabouts, sometimes you win sometimes you lose. I ain’t gonna cry, these days you just have to accept the bullsh!t.
The fairest result was a draw and despite Frank Lampard being frustrated by the lack of opportunity for Timo Werner up front, following a clean sheet against Sevilla in the Champions League last Tuesday night, he’ll be more than encouraged that things at the back are coming right.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will also be feeling more optimistic. The 2-1 away win at PSG was a shot out the blue and it does feel like there’s more solidity in the side.
What was baffling was Ole’s bench. Some of his best players were on it. Why?
But anyway, you just can’t predict games in the Premier League at the moment. Bookies must be making a fortune.
West Ham were better than Manchester City on Saturday and were unlucky not to win. Pep Guardiola’s side normally bang at least four past them.
In-form Aston Villa got taken to the cleaners by Leeds and league leaders Everton should have been about 4-0 down at half time at Southampton.
I can’t put my finger on it. Is it a matter of fitness levels following Covid disruption? Is it because there’s no fans meaning no "home advantage", or is it something else?
Whatever it is, this has to be the most open-looking season I’ve ever seen. Perhaps it’ll all calm down over the next few weeks?
Anyway, Champions League football is back tonight, unfortunately without a single fixture that really stands out. But given the type of mad results we’ve been seeing, maybe another strange couple of nights.
Back to league business and this weekend a couple of very interesting games to look out for as Liverpool host the flying Hammers on Saturday and on Sunday Arsenal go to United.
On a side note… with infection rates showing a worrying increase in the Western Cape, we need to stay vigilant, avoid packed places, keep wearing your masks and wash those handies! Chat next week…