GOOD WEEK/BAD WEEK: 2
StrumSolo > 27/08/2013, 16:44
This lot will be happy...
Cardiff
In what was more of an upset than Villa’s win over Arsenal the week before, the new boys did a Southampton and put 3 past Man City at home. Frazier Campbell’s late brace was enough for the win and the former United youngster will have been delighted to get one over on his old rivals. He’s never been that prolific at this level but if he can strike up a partnership with Andreas Cornelius (who returned from injury with a late substitute appearance here) then Cardiff could do OK. That poor performance at West Ham on the opening day already seems a log time ago.
David Moyes
A goalless draw at home to Chelsea is hardly reason to crack open the champagne, but this was the new man’s first real test as United boss. Everyone was eager to see how he’d handle the big games, especially given his poor record against the top sides at Everton. A point and a quality performance from Wayne Rooney will do nicely for now, even if the game was as dull as dishwater.
Arsene Wenger
6 goals and 1 conceded from a pair of away games at Fenerbache and Fulham. Neither side could be classed as world-beaters, but neither can Aston Villa and look what happened there… Decent performances though, reduced pressure and a bit of breathing room. The only danger is that he’ll start to assume that all is well again. It’s not, reinforcements are still needed.
Spurs and Liverpool
Two 1-0 wins each, and the only remaining 100% records in the top-flight. Spurs still need to find some fluency but you know what they say about winning whilst not playing well, and given more time to gel, their new signings will surely improve the side. Liverpool have been a bit wasteful so far, and in truth could do with someone to convert more of their many chances in to goals. Luis Suarez perhaps? In 4 games time? So room for improvement and the means to do so from both sides, Arsene should be concerned.
Hull
A 1-0 win despite playing for more than an hour with 10 men, plus Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore adding a bit of quality to the midfield. You imagine it’ll still be a tough season for them, but having 3 points on the board so early won’t hurt.
These, not so much...
Man City
How much longer until Joe Hart’s errors aren’t ‘uncharacteristic’ anymore? England’s number one let in 3 of Cardiff’s 6 on-target shots on Sunday. And after spending god knows how many hundreds of millions on players, why were City forced to play Javi Garcia at centre half? It’s probably too early to read much in to their defeat, but they’re not looking much more balanced or dependable than they did under Mancini at the moment.
Newcastle
14 shots on goal, just the one on-target. A new striker wouldn’t go amiss, but Joe Kinnear should be able to sort something out, shouldn’t he? Shouldn’t he?
West Brom
Ben Foster’s out for 12 weeks, they’ve not scored in either of their opening games and no-one seems any the wiser as to what Nicolas Anelka is planning. They’ll need to get busy in the transfer market this week, maybe put their hands in their pockets for once…