From my seat: PSV (f)
The starting line-up showed only nine top pros with Rodwell and Gosling making up the numbers. The formation put Arteta in the Cahill role behind the Yak and across midfield Gosling, Rodwell, Osman and Pienaar in front of a back four of Neville Yobo, Jagielka and Baines. Luckily PSV were treating this game as a training excercise as it appeared obvious to me we have no meaningful midfield to speak of.
Early doors the Yak had a chance that was saved by the keeper's legs and indeed we did start the more lively but the game soon descended into a training ground pass about with no tempo and no-one wanting to pick up knocks.
PSV took the lead in the first half without too much build-up but a superb right-foot shot arrowed past Howard courtesy of Osman being too lightweight to make anything of a tackle that would have ended the move — in fact, he bounced off their player like a toddler would against his dad.
Second half subs were made, Lescott was given a run at centre back alongside Yobo with Jags pushed on alongside Rodwell in centre-mid with Gosling making way. Nothing much changed; we still looked totally unbalanced and lacking quality in the engine room.
As the game wore on chances were given to Baxter, Jutkiewicz and Wallace. Grommit didn't get a game but we did get a penalty in our first home game when Yobo was toppled in the box and Arteta struck it well with the keeper going the right way.
Overall, I thought that to start a season where we have qualified to play in the Prem, Uefa Cup, FA Cup and the Carling Cup, we are dreadfully short of manpower. As well as the youngsters did today, in my opinion they are nowhere near ready to take on the hurly-burly of top competitions with only Rodwell looking that he just might make it in a couple of years time.
I am all for giving youth its chance but in my mind what we need urgently is top class proven pros — especially in the central midfield area.
Today I thought only Howard, Neville, Jags, Yobo, Lescott, Osman, Pienaar, Arteta and Yak looked the business and, with only Hibbert and Cahill to add, our position at this moment looks perilous. Baines, who I had hopes for, looked a poor man's Valente.
Perhaps panic would be the wrong word as we have until the last day of August to augment but, my god, if reinforcements are not found it will be a defining season in this club's history. Looking at that back page of today's programme made me realise how short we are of numbers and most importantly quality.
The manager's assessment of up to six players required is conservative and let's hope the Board can help but I can't help wondering whether transfer fees are not such a problem but wages are an acute stumbling block.
Still, a week is a long time in football and the end of August is a millennium away. Here's hoping. UP THE BLUES.
