Liverpool FC - So again, two games for Liverpool this week, starting with the Worthington Carling Capital One Cup tie against West Bromwich Albion. After being thumped 3-0 by them on the first day of the season, I was impressed how well our team of youngsters played against them. We recovered well from a dreadful start, and showed great maturity in hauling ourselves back into the game, albeit with a great hand from WBA 'keeper Ben Foster. Rodgers continues to put great faith into our young players, and it's paying dividends, with Suso, Oussama Assaidi and Andre Wisdom all knocking on the door for regular first team places, joining the likes of Raheem Sterling and Jonjo Shelvey. However the stand-out performer of the game for me was Nuri Sahin. I was heavily critical of him on his debut against Arsenal, saying that he had no right foot, and looked extremely short of match fitness. However, he's gone some way to proving me wrong since then, picking up two goals to help us seal our place in the next round of the cup. His vision and distribution was spot-on, and he manages to be in the right place at the right time to either pick up an assist or a goal. With Gerrard not getting any younger, surely if Sahin keeps this form up Rodgers should be looking to sign him at the end of the season?
On Sunday came our Premier League tie at Carrow Road against Norwich City. Searching for our first win of the domestic campaign, we couldn't have had it much easier. It looked like our sterling performance mid-week had served as a real confidence boost, and had injected even our senior players with a belief that we could still have a good season. Sahin, who now has three goals and three assists in four games, and Gerrard were dominant in midfield, barely putting a foot wrong. With Martin Kelly unfortunately being ruled out for six months with a torn ACL, Andre Wisdom also came in and put in a great performance at right-back. However, star of the match was the much maligned Luis Suarez. In securing his second hat-trick in as many games against Norwich, he showed that he can finish with as much aplomb as Van Persie or Torres (when on his game). One thing that will continue to haunt him is his reputation for going down softly in the penalty area, having been denied a clear stone-wall spot kick for the second game running. Even so, scoring five goals will certainly do a previously goal-shy Liverpool less harm than good, and the performance may be the catalyst to get our season finally up and running.
Ryder Cup 2012 - Wow, just wow. I tweeted with the scores at 10-10 that this could be a comeback of Istanbul 2005 proportions, and it didn't disappoint. After being provisionally 10-4 down on the Saturday, to think Europe won by 14.5 to 13.5 is almost unfathomable. There were some terrific performances on the final day, but to single one player out would be unfair on the others. It was team game, yet it was in the singles performances where Europe really excelled. Now I'm no "golfist", but this had me hooked all evening. I would defy anyone to say that they were bored while watching this, because it had everything that is required in a drama: Tension, hope, jubilation, and emotion. What did disappoint me most though were the USA fans in attendance. I feel that it is right to cheer your team on, it is the done thing. However, you should also be respectful to your opponents, something that the USA has a reputation for not being (Olazabal/Leonard 1999 anyone?). The booing at the end after Kaymer sunk the cup winning putt for Europe was nothing short of disgraceful. Fortunately, this did not carry to the players of the USA, who held themselves with grace and dignity. Bubba Watson and captain Davis Love III particularly were role-models in how to deal with defeat. As the USA dealt with the defeat, Europe's players were jubilant. The emotion at the end was something else, and I think that's why this Ryder Cup will live long in the memory. As a common theme, I think that that one was for you, Seve.
Baltimore Ravens vs the Cleveland Browns - First of all, I have to say it was great to see the real referees return for this match, the first after their lockout had ended. I was worried after Sunday and Monday's game that with the replacements not having any control on the games, something nasty was going to happen. Thankfully, after Monday's botched call between the Seahawks and the Packers (Google it if you don't know what it is), this was put right, and the reception they received at the M&T Bank Stadium was one of relief and heartfelt appreciation that they were back. Now for the game itself. So this was not a pretty win for the Ravens by any stretch of the imagination. Coming off an emotional and hard fought victory against the Patriots just 4 days previously, it was always going to be a lethargic performance, but the expectation of victory was still there. The Browns were very physical, going some way on defense to tearing apart the Ravens O-line. That said, when it mattered, the Ravens got it done, both on offense and defense. Joe Flacco looks more and more like a top tier quarterback with every game he plays, and with receivers like Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith, it makes his job look even easier. At the end of the day, even if the Browns aren't one of the better teams we're going to face this year, it was still going to be one of our hardest test, and we came through it. Also at 3-1, our record looks very good heading into week 5, with some of the top teams around us faltering at the moment. Up next, the Kansas City Chiefs.
So there we have it for another week, I hope you enjoyed reading, and stay tuned for another post next week, where I will have more Liverpool and Baltimore Ravens coverage, plus another Grand Prix to cover!
No comments:
Post a Comment