By Myles Palmer
We are told that Ziege is unfit.
And Spurs played 4-4-2 in that 2-1 win over Leeds last Monday.
Iversen headed in Thatcher’s cross for the first goal, Sheringham knocked in the second from close range.
Crucially, both goals were in the first half. Spurs are a first half team these days.
Neurotic Gooners are saying,”Oh, form means nothing in derby games.Just because we had the perfect Easter with two 3-0 wins, it doesn’t mean we will stuff Spurs.”
Balderdash! Arsenal will win because Spurs are so slow.
Sherwood and Anderton are the slowest central midfield pair I have ever seen.
And I HATE to say that, since I have been a big fan of Anderton since he played for Portsmouth.
I’ve done interviews with Darren, been to his house in Chigwell, said I would play him for England in a wheelchair.
I love the guy for his two-footed skills, his vision, his composure and versatility, his wonderful crossing, his power shooting, his uncanny games-sense, his unflappable temperament, his ability to turn it on in big games.
He has been one of my favourite English footballers for years.
I’ve had fun with him. He’s given me a lot and I’m grateful for that.
He once told me that one of his best goals was scored at Highbury, when he took a Jason Dozell pass and ran from the halfway line and put it past Seaman.
But, sadly, Darren has been ordinary this season.
When the fastest team in England plays the slowest team in London there can only be one winner.
Etherington and Simon Davies look lively because the rest of the team are so slow. Etherington never went past Danny Mills once.
Ledley King, so good before Xmas, has not been the same player since Cardiff, where they lost the Worthington final to Blackburn.
Yes, Iversen and Sheringham can score with headers. But Sol Campbell knows both of them inside out. That should not be a problem.
Thierry Henry in his Charlton mood will be unstoppable. Freddie will be fiery as ever.
Edu will spray the ball about and give Arsenal maximum momentum and penetration.
Much talk among fans of Vieira’s situation on nine yellow cards.
If Patrick gets booked on Saturday he misses Ipswich and West Ham.
If he gets booked in the semi-final he will miss Bolton and the Cup Final.
Fans have asked me : Will Wenger tell him to get booked on Saturday?
And I said : No way, but Patrick might work that out for himself.
However, I think Patrick will risk it. Just play his normal game, keeping his arms to himself and keeping his mouth shut as much as possible.
I really don’t think Sherwood can wind up Vieira. Or even get near him.
A FRIEND phoned last night and said : “We’ve gotta sign this Everton kid Wayne Rooney. He’s better than Michael Owen!”
Last night Spurs played Everton in the FA Youth Cup semi-final, an Under-19 competition.
Everton won 2-1 and Rooney scored both goals.
First one, he brought the ball down in the box with one foot and fired it in with the other.
Second,he took a free-kick from 40 yards. When the ball rebounded off the wall and came back to him and he blasted it in on the volley!
Rooney is, apparently, the top scorer among the Under-19s. He’s spiky, aggessive, like Jeffers.
And he is only 16 !
4th April 2002.