Sport
7 DAYS IN 7 POINTS
Harry Kane is back…
Or at least his confidence has returned. It was always going to be difficult for the young Spurs lad to carry on his tremendous form from last season, but few would have predicted he’d struggle in front of goal the way he has. Though he’s been putting in the effort, shots that would last season have hit the back of the net have been flying inches wide, and deflections that would have looped into the goal have instead been landing in the goalkeeper’s arms. His hat-trick away at Bournemouth this weekend, however, shows that he still believes in himself, and proves he’s still a striker that can trouble defenders and win games almost on his own. I don’t expect him to reach the figures he did last season, but I do think he’ll start scoring on a more regular basis now.
Chelsea can’t do it on a cold, wet Tuesday night in Stoke
Things aren’t looking good for Jose, are they? Another defeat – this time in the Capital One Cup – and yet another performance where the big names, aside from Willian, didn’t really bother showing up. Is the issue that Jose ran them into the ground last season, and now the fatigue has become too much? Did the players start the season with a sense of arrogance given the way they walked away with the league last term? Have Jose’s tactics been found out? Whatever the problem it needs to be sorted soon, because Roman Abramovich is not known for being patient with misfiring managers.
Is Messi finally ready to leave Barcelona?
Late last week Spanish journalist Guillem Balagué declared that Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi was ‘closer than ever before’ to leaving Barcelona. Now, this somewhat vague statement doesn’t necessarily mean the forward wants to leave, only that he is more open the idea than he previously has been. Balagué continued by saying the 28-year-old would ‘consider’ a move to the Premier League, but will this ever happen? I don’t think so. As much as I’d love to see him plying his trade in England, I just don’t see any team pulling off a deal. But I hope I’m wrong.
Didier Drogba has still got it!
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba may be reaching the end of his playing career, but there’s no denying that the boy still has talent. If you need more convincing, check out this pair of backheeled goals he scored for Montreal Impact at the weekend. Class is permanent…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_He11XvQM4
All of Woking’s players have been made available for loan
Conference side Woking, currently sitting 16th in the Conference, have made all of their players available for loan in the wake of a series of abject performances during the team’s 3-0 defeat to Maidenhead United. And, given that the club has only won two of its last 10 games, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the manager has had enough. I would like to see Premier League managers implementing a similar policy – perform poorly, and you have to spend a month on loan at Rotherham. See if that wakes up Eden Hazard.
It didn’t take long for the #WengerOut brigade to return
7 days ago Arsenal were beating Bayern Munich 2-0. Then they beat a very decent Everton 2-1. Then they suffered a somewhat surprising 3-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup – but that’s all it took for Wenger’s detractors to return with a vengeance. It seems to me that some people just like to moan. Arsenal haven’t won the League Cup since 1993, so it’s clearly not something Wenger prioritises, and I’m sure every Gunners fan would choose winning the Premier League or the Champions League ahead of England’s second biggest cup competition. Still, some people will never be satisfied, and they will continue to groan and gripe until Wenger is out of the club. Though who they think should replace him is still unclear.
Is this the greatest way to win a cup tie?
This week Dutch amateurs VV Capelle knocked FC Dordrecht, twice winners of the KNVB Cup, out of the competition courtesy of an absolutely stunning strike from 26-year-old Jordao Pattinama in the 112th minute. It’s probably fair to say this will be the highlight of his career – but what a highlight!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU97NnVY2Xs
