Hanging on the Telephone

Coach
By Boris Mellor
November 4 2006

Apparently Arsene hasn’t called Pardew recently, I wonder why? For someone who was so keen on English players its rather ironic that Pardew was prepared to wreck West Ham’s progress by putting two Argentinian players straight into his team.

It is also rather ironic that he had to recall the 40 year old Sherringham to finally get a win.

Arsene might not check passports, but he certainly checks whether players will fit into his team. Which is why neither he, nor Ferguson, were interested in Argentinians bearing gifts. It is quite funny thinking back to some Man U, and even some Arsenal fans, bleating that it was a disgrace that their clubs had not bought the pair; yet it is unlikely that either will be first choice tomorrow. Maybe in the long term they will prove to be ok, but can you imagine Arsene rushing new players, from another league, into the first team so quickly? Especially when he had not taken the decision to buy them.

Until last week’s victory the Hammers had lost the last five in a row. I am glad they won at last, we do not want to lose another London club out of the Premiership, and of course we are grateful that they beat the men with the runs from White Bite Lane. Even though it was no thanks to Sherringham and his suddenly shaky penalty kick. But also I prefer it when clubs are not right on the bottom when we play them. However Arsenal had a tough game midweek, whilst the Hammers were able to watch it on TV. 

Line-up
Arsenal will probably play the same team as against CSKA, although it is possible that Adebayor will get a start, or at least a run from the bench. Eboue might return mid week for the Lager Cup. Arsene doesn’t want the team to get too obsessed about not scoring, he is sure it will come good. It’s hard to predict results for this Gunners team, as they can completely out play a team and not score. West Ham always raise their game for the Gunners, and I remember Arsenal fans leaving Highbury chuckling at how we has had so many chances but managed to lose. Though perhaps Mr Campbell could partly explain that one.

But we will have to be patient, Arsene’s advice on not getting obsessed with scoring applies to the fans too. Plus there is enough rubbish being written on the subject already. I was very disappointed to see some of it come from Kenny Samson, a player I have always admired. He repeated the old walking the ball into the net canard after the mid week game. Now come on Kenny what game were you watching? Surely if Rosicky had tried to walk the ball into the net it would have been preferable to skewing it at the goalie. Plus there were three very good headers, one of which was brilliantly saved, and the other narrowly wide. A van Persie shot was still curling in as it passed the post.

The problem is not over elaboration, nor trying to walk the ball into the net, if a cliché is to be used the one that fits best is a lack of composure in front of goal.

Anyhow the team is making the chances, and the defence will be strengthened by the return of Clichy, hardly a crisis, and hopefully Henry is right that this is not start of the November blip.Don’t forget to enter your prediction on the league