Rival watch

close!!

 

He probably wouldn't be playing catch up at all if he'd made sure there was a nominated penalty taker. Absolutely shambolic for that sort of row to happen at this level.

 

The irony is that if Berahino had been in the team, they probably would've won that.

 

I never saw that incident but Berahino is their nominated penalty taker (who was left out) due to transfer speculation........ still, you're right that shouldn't happen, but even the Legend Pulis makes mistakes.

 

You have to beat Chelsea and Clattenberg, they very nearly did.

 

Clattenberg was very good. Didn't shirk the big decisions at all.

Personally I thought the Terry foul that led to his sending off was soft. But I think that a lot and time after time you see those given as fouls and once it's a foul it has to be a red. Top marks for consistency there. Hazard often feels a hand on his shoulder or arm and flops to the ground to get the freekick, as do a lot of other players, if it's a foul then it's still a foul when you're last man. Don't know what Terry was doing taking that risk, he should know better.

Anyone got a gif of Cahill's dive? Shocking stuff.

 

Agree about Clattenburg, I thought he was excellent today. I wonder if Terry was aware his keeper was not really where he wanted him to be ?

 

Speaking of officials. Another good call from a lino seeing Lukaku offside. With Lukaku going one way and City's defence pushing out brilliantly at pace it can't have been an easy one.

 

What you wouldn't give to have Silva!...

 

I think we would do better to have Ya Ya Toure if we were nicking City players. He is the player that would improve every team in the PL IMO.

 

Agree, when he's in the mood he's unstoppable. But Silva is the creative engine that makes their attack click, IMO.

 

Soldado just scored 30mins into his Villa debut

 

Dot on the card, had to happen, didn't it?...

 

Soldado is a talented player, no surprise if he recovers in Spain but different league, different style of football and its his home, plus I'm sure he feels more relaxed and not having to deal with the pressure of scoring goals in a new league.

 

He scored on his debut for us as well, so I hope that is not a bad omen for him

 

I always thought he was great at Valencia and expected him to blow the Premier League away. Some players just don't do it once they move leagues for some reason.

 

Thanks Diego, we know that only too well!

Although I remember when Channel 4 had Serie A football, Veron was my favourite player (along with Batistuta),.I viewed Veron as being a dead cert to settle here, he was outstanding in the Italian league when it was the best in the world, while the late (great) Bobby Robson thought Rebrov would be a sensation in the premier league.

 

I think two types of strikers succeed in the PL.

1.Strong and/or tall centre forwards who get on the end of crosses first and are generally good in the air and have a powerful shot - Shearer, Ferdinand in the past and Costa, Bony and Kane now or

2. Small, agile, quick players who are skilful, can finish instinctively and can find space in the penalty area - Suarez, Aguero and Rooney at his best.

Soldado is a typically Spanish forward. Doesn't need strength or pace, but give him time and he will perform. He didn't get it in the PL.

 

I was gobsmacked when we bought Veron and couldn't wait to see him play at OT, 3 months in I was gobsmacked at the way he played

 

All the players you mention (except Bony) are just better players than Soldado and would (and indeed have in some cases) perform well in any league they might play in.
I think football is more random than people imagine. All that really happened to Soldado was that he missed a few chances in his early matches and lost confidence. AVB did a reasonable job in showing faith in him to little avail but then Sherwood came in and selected Adebayor instead which must have been a real kick in the teeth. Then Kane turned into a miracle man so Soldado remained on the fringes and never got his confidence back.