FOOTBALL: THE TIME FACTOR

I guess I missed the opening matches for the Champions League because of a busy week, being sick but well now and as well as returning back to Singapore quite late. I managed to watch abit of the Liverpool match only but failed to wake up for the Manchester United match even after I managed to switch off my alarm clock. The results are quite shocking but somehow, expected in the sense that many clubs have too many new players. It is either for the best or the worst. Real Madrid seem to be the worst of them all with really pathetic results from their last two matches.

Seeing how Real Madrid, Arsenal and Inter Milan played showed me they need TIME badly to make use of what they have. People ask me how these clubs, especially Inter and Real, who have some of the best players in the world, cannot win matches convincingly? Well, my answer is to look at Chelsea when the Russian billionaire first went for a shopping spree. It takes them 1 season to start winning something. As for Inter, perhaps they have to sort out their starting 11 because I believe they really buy too many players.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, have to think about how to solve their defence, which is always the least taken care of department in the whole team. High balls into the penalty box is always the weakness to them. Casillas also should start shouting like hell at his defenders, to give more instructions on how to cover him. He has always been the lonely ranger in the penalty box. The other debate is again about not playing with the wingers system. I am fine with whatever systems the manager wants to play. I believe any system has its strengths and weaknesses, he should therefore adapt more according to opponents. Not be as stubborn as shit with his own style forever, no matter who he faces.

Arsenal will have to stop relying on Henry just like Real have to stop putting Beckham in the starting 11. Beckham may sell jerseys and tickets but he really does not win matches convincingly for Real Madrid. England should do the same if they want to win more matches. Their captain to me is someone who cannot be dropped at all for no good reasons. Arsenal definitely looks to be different in the sense that their squad members are generally younger this season and the squad seems to be paper thin. Any more injuries or suspensions will cause them alot of worries. I hope the young lads can play well as a unit and gel fast to face the remaining of the season.

The signs are not very convincing for these 3 teams. I hope they buckle up and improve fast. I expect far more from them than the recent results shown. It is definitely not what they are truly capable of. I think they played too predictably, especially for Arsenal and Real Madrid. It seems that they rely too much on certain players and just keep on attacking through the same methods. Newcastle? I think only a miracle can save them! Haha! Good luck, Souness!

Well, the bright side of this season is Kaka. He seems to get his form back again from 2 seasons ago when he first played for AC Milan. Eto'o continues to be very sharp upfront for Barcelona. Chelsea is not showing signs of slowing down, getting more and more consistent and Lampard also seems to be getting back his form. Can anybody stop Chelsea? Money can buy success and Chelsea is the best example of that. They are the most expensive football squad of all time as of now! The season is still very new so let's expect more things to come!

This weekend big matches:
Liverpool VS. Manchester United
VanNistelrooy is on fire but I want Liverpool to get something out of this match!

Atletico Madrid VS. FC Barcelona
Eto'o is still having a good spell so Madrid will have to watch him well. Of course, not to remember magician Ronaldinho as well as the reliable Deco. Barcelona should be able to win this match if they play well. Still, won't be surprised if Kezman and Torres do some damages to Barcelona.