Yes, hardly a classic but nevertheless a winning start for Roy, and long may it continue. Plenty of standout performances as well, Jagielka, Carroll and Scotty P to name but three. And on the other hand, if you combined Milner, Barry, Downing and Henderson, you still wouldn't come out with one decent footballer. For me, the most impressive things last night were firstly the fact that we resisted playing hoofball all night to Carroll, preferring to mix it up, and if the midfield had been anything more than clueless I think that would have been a more comfortable victory. Secondly was the amount of solid defensive work that Carroll put in - decisive tackles in the box as well as clearing headers - Scotty Parker's defensive work was fabulous but he appears to have temporarily lost the knack of playing the killer defence-splitting pass and also seems to have lost the appetite for shooting from long range. As for Norway, Morten Gamst Pedersen was effortlessly class and Riise was always a threat overlapping. OK, Belgium next and that should certainly be a sterner test. SPOOKY COINCIDENCE Look who finished 25th and 26th in Eurovision Song Contest - da, di da da - da, di da da
I don't remember anything that happened in the game. I'm not sure if it was the alcohol or it was just THAT unmemorable. I mean a win is a win...but it doesn't fill me full of hope.
Jagielka and Parker were the best players on the pitch. Parker's name has to be the first on the teamsheet. How Jagielka hasn't been selected for the squad proper is a mystery to me - the man is a real pro.
That's a very good point about Scotty not shooting anymore - very odd! Agreed on Jagielka - him and Lescott would be my starters. Such a good pair that that should overrule Terry and Cahill being better individuals. Before the game Gerrard said 'Terry's a great player - we have more of a chance of winning with him in the team'. It didn't sound convincing and, although he may be right, I hope that's not the reason he will be selected. We'd have a better chance of winning Eurovision with Gary Glitter wouldn't we?
Gareth Barry out of the Euros - how will we cope? Pretty well, I suspect. Talking of injuries, did anyone see Teddy Sheringham take Gordon Ramsey out in that charity game yesterday? 'Brutal' barely covers it... Wonderful goal too by Kasabian's guitarist, who had trials with Forest apparently.
