By Myles Palmer
A week is a long time in football, especially if it’s an international week.
I was utterly disgusted by Chelsea’s pathetic performance against Man United today.
Even in the first 15 they had possession but no tempo, no urgency.
But I’m so naive that when the unmarked Scholes scored the first goal, firing a 25-yarder through a crowd of players, I thought : game on!
I should have realised : game over !
Chelsea were a disgrace, apart from John Terry.
Like Paraguay, they didn’t turn up.
Having no left back is no excuse and having little chance of fourth place is no excuse either. They stunk the place out and allowed Manyoo to cruise to a 3-0 win with further goals by van Nistelrooy and Solskjaer.
Desailly was yards off the pace.Not sure if the magnificent Marcel had played 90 for France against Russia but he’s 33 and can’t be passionate twice in a week.
Arsene was furious that Lemerre made Vieira and Henry play 90 in that game, but they will have had a day more to recover and they’re only playing Ipswich, who are virtually relegated already.
Sunday’s game at Highbury will be over when Arsenal score the second goal.
When will that be?
Who knows?
You can only play as well as your’re allowed to play. That, of course, is the oldest cliche in football.
But a cliche is a truth you’re tired of hearing and Middlesbrough demonstrated that last week.
If Ipswich hustle and spoil as effectively as Boro did it could be a nervous afternoon.
Wiltord is out for three weeks with a hamstring so I would love to think that Jeffers will feature at some stage.
Freddie Ljungberg has a bad back and is playing with his left ankle heavily strapped.
We wondered why Freddie didn’t make any runs behind the Middlesbrough defence last week.
Injuries may be the reason, as much as Bergkamp not having the space to supply the killer passes.
The UEFA Cup came too soon for Ipswich, who have badly missed top scorer Marcus Stewart and defensive midfieldfer Jermaine Wright through injury.
Playing in a three-sided stadium, as Arsenal did when John Jensen used to pepper the famous Mural, didn’t help Ipswich before Xmas when the side was struggling as Portman Road was re-built around them.
Marcus Bent was signed too late.
Jim Magilton is over the hill and Titus Bramble, so promising last year, thought he was a star and lost the plot completely, poor lad.
Let’s hope Bramble gets his head together in time to help the Tractor Boys get re-promoted.
Chairman Sheepshanks and manager Burley, two of the good guys in football, are going to the World Cup for a period of bonding and planning.
I love Ipswich because they pass the ball and exemplify sportsmanship, so I hope they come back up straight away.
They will get the £6 million parachute payment for two years. After that their finances might become too dodgy to allow them to reclaim Premiership status.
Arsenal should achieve a straightforward win and go back to the top of the table with four games left to play.
However, Russia raised their game to draw 0-0 in Paris and maybe Ipswich can do the same and chisel out a point.
Yes, it’s illogical but football is full of illogicalities.
Look at last week.
Peter Crouch had replaced Darius Vassell in the Aston Villa team.
Then Crouch played for the Under 21s as a sub against Portugal.
Vassell started for the seniors and did well in a 4-0 win over Paraguay.
It doesn’t make sense but it happened. Although you’re probably thinking : A lot of things involving Graham Taylor don’t make sense!
Ray Parlour is fit again.Adams and Stepanovs are in the squad.
But I’m not worried about beating Ipswich. In fact, I’m more worried about Chievo beating Inter.
I would love to see Hector Cuper win the title.
Chievo, a much smaller club than Ipswich, are a fine team and fourth in Serie A.
If Chievo beat Inter they will probably be playing in the Champions League next year.
Without three of their stars,who will be sold, if James Richardson is to be believed.
Europe might be coming come too soon for Chievo as well.
20th April 2002.