Well Rapid was bad, but this was worse. Granted, Chelsea are a much better side than the Romanians, but our defending in this game was heartbreaking. After the way things had tightened up last year, I was really looking forward to this season. Now, just eight games in, and I can't wait for it to finish. That's probably an over-reaction, but I'm writing this report on my home from Stamford Bridge, as I wanted to get these thoughts down before I calmed down (Ironically, I didn't send this report to Dave until a full week after the game, but I never had to change any of it as I still hadn't cooled down). To be honest, I've never been really convinced by Westerveld, although I have tried to tell myself he's the business. The goals against column last season was mightily impressive, and that was why I continued to tell myself that Sander was doing a good job. In the back of my mind though I've never really been happy with him. This isn't me trying to be a smart arse after he's made a horrendous blunder. I'm not saying ¿I told you soî because I've not really voiced my fears about him to anyone until now.
The reason for my mistrust of Westerveld is simple. He punches when he should be catching, and in some cases he slaps instead of punches (the Anfield derby last season for example). Punching the ball is a foreign trait, and to be fair there is a time to punch and a time to catch. Sander's problem is he doesn't seem to know when that time is. The own goal he scored was a fucking disgrace. I haven't seen it on TV yet, as I said, I'm writing this on my way home from the game, but even from the restricted view I had from my ridiculously overpriced seat I could tell that a) it wasn't a foul and b) he should have been catching that ball, not punching it. (I've since seen it on TV and stand by these observations).
For him to claim a foul against Dennis Wise was humiliating. Wise is four foot nothing, Westerveld is six foot plus and weighs twice as much as the little narky cockney gobshite. For him to claim that Wise backed into him is embarrassing. Wise should have been steamrollered by the big keeper, and if he is to prove himself in this country he needs to toughen up and stop being such a fart.
He's not the only one though, as the whole team were dreadful in the first half. Playing Gerrard on the left wing was an insult to the intelligence of the supporters. We're not stupid, we know that Stevie should be in the middle, and why the hell wasn't Berger at least on the bench. Or Diomede for that matter. It appears that Houllier does not like having width in the side, and would prefer to pack the middle and play for a draw.
These spoiling tactics can work of course, but you need to be able to defend. At the moment, we can't do this. We keep letting in stupid goals, and we don't even look like scoring at the other end. Either Owen produces something for himself, or for someone else, or we don't score. We're relying so heavily on Michael this season that the thought of him getting injured literally terrifies me.
Things improved after the break (they had to really) when Gerrard was switched to the centre and we went 3-5-2 (something to think about there), but we were never going to get back into it and it was hardly a shock when Chelsea made it three. Things look pretty desperate at the moment in terms of the quality of our play (or should I say lack of it), but on the bright side we're still only three points behind United and Arsenal, and hopefully the return of players like Camara, Berger and Smicer will help to kick start our season.
The defence is coming in for a lot of criticism, justifiably so I might add, but we have quality defenders and I'm sure they will get their act together soon. Maybe they would be helped by a more positive approach from the management. After all, if we sit back and invite pressure as we have been doing, then eventually we're going to crack. By the same logic, if we attack more and put the other team under pressure, it will help out our defence and allow us to score more goals.
One other thought, maybe it's time to give Pegguy a chance in goal. My man of the match was Steven Gerrard, as he was the only one who even looked interested, and he showed that twat Wise he wouldn't be intimidated.
TEAM: Sander Westerveld; Markus Babbel, Sami Hyypia, Stephane Henchoz, Christian Ziege; Nick Barmby (Vegard Heggem), Dietmar Hamann, Jamie Carragher (Robbie Fowler), Steven Gerrard; Emile Heskey, Michael Owen:
