Isn't it part of Arshavin's MO that when the mood takes him, he's brilliant and when it doesn't he's invisible?
That's been my impression too but I think it says more about the standards of international football than anything else.
Put money on Kerzhakov as tournament top scorer. He could have done a Salenko and wrapped up the golden boot against the Czechs. Instead he did an Ian Ormoroyd. Cursing.
Very entertaining games, but the only thing I am really sure of is that Poland are gash. Russia are great to watch - great in their transitions. Arshavin looks fresh after a year off. Such a talented player.
Advocaat was a great coach for Zenit when he had Arshavin playing for him. Not surprised that Advocaat has got Russia playing as well as this .
I think the two games so far have been far better quality than alot of Champions League group games. I bet alot of Scotland fans are kicking themselves even more after Levein's 4-6-0 because the Czech's were always suspect throughout that qualifying group. Even moreso with Cech.
Yeah, I've seen loads of crap/lower quality/mismatches at Champions League group stage level. Considering the amount of time club teams have to work it's quite ridiculous how poor many teams have been at that highest level.
Russia were slicker than many club teams I have seen. I like the way they constantly created passing options in a dynamic system. They are have now moved up the list of possible winners.
Some twitter lies going around about a "fan" being murdered in Donetsk. Turns out it was a Spanish traveller who had been missing for over a month. Spain arent even playing any games in the Ukraine. Amazing how easily manipulated the average person is.
Bendtner's positioning in attacks is very poor indeed. Operates in area's that cant hurt the opposition and never makes any runs .
Holland started well but after Denmark scored they looked pretty average. Awful though in the second half, no desire and they looked very tired. I said a few months ago that I don't think Germany and Netherlands will both qualify from the group, and I doubt very much if Netherlands will qualify now..
You cant write them off but gonna be tough for them now. Denmark was their 'easiest' run out in this group .
Our 'arry, (Redknapp), making the point that the Dutch back four are decidedly ordinary. Just looking at the listings here from which they can select, you can see why... 2 DF Gregory van der Wiel February 3, 1988 (age 24) 32 0 Ajax 3 DF John Heitinga (3rd captain) November 15, 1983 (age 28) 78 7 Everton 4 DF Joris Mathijsen April 5, 1980 (age 32) 80 3 Málaga 5 DF Wilfred Bouma June 15, 1978 (age 33) 37 2 PSV 13 DF Ron Vlaar February 16, 1985 (age 27) 7 1 Feyenoord 15 DF Jetro Willems March 30, 1994 (age 18) 2 0 PSV 21 DF Khalid Boulahrouz December 28, 1981 (age 30) 35 0 Stuttgart
Bit harsh to call them ordinary. Pretty much the lineup that was solid right through to the final in 2010.
Denmark win! Something to note. It was REALLY Humid in Kharkiv today! I think it affected the players. England also play in Ukraine but not in Kharkiv. I would not be surprised though if there were humidity issues for the England games in Kiev or Donetsk.
Just like Barca and Bayern in the CL....doesn't matter how good you look around the pitch, you have to take some of your chances. Especially when you have so many. Denmark did well, and I actually thought they passed the ball around quite well after they scored. This group just got really interesting.
Yeah, but I think it's the people up front that are top class, (not on that showing maybe but you know what I mean). The ones behind them aren't the best IMO.