Premier League Talking Points This Week

Manchester City should not have rid themselves of Craig Bellamy

The Manchester derby proved disappointing and delivered very little excitement. City’s resoluteness in defence stood the test of Manchester United and not surprisingly so with three defensive midfielders holding a second defensive line in front of the back four. Only Tevez, Silva and Milner could have provided a bit of magic but rarely did, which is not surprising given that only one of them has played in a Manchester derby before. Manchester City missed Craig Bellamy’s brazen attitude and willingness to run at the defence. Silva and Milner were frequently too slow on the counter attack and there was only so much Tevez can do on his own, too many times he had the ball in a good position and the rest of the team were static.Whilst Manchester City obviously didn't want to lose the game, I don't think they would be too disappointed with a win and without a few potentially special players you wont get that in the big games.

Arsenal have picked up the most points away from home in the Premier League this season (@OptaJoe)

An astonishing achievement for the Gunners’ given their tendency to struggle away from home on a cold, wet, Tuesday evening in the north etc. Coming with this stat is Marouane Chamakh’s first and second goal away from the Emirates stadium which will give the new boy and his team a much needed confidence boost. This fact would be all the more welcomed by Arsenal fans if their home form was a glittering. However, Arsenal have lost at home to two newly promoted sides West Brom and Newcastle respectively. In order to mount a title challenge the Gunners need to be firing at home and on the road.

Joey Barton has not ‘turned his life around’

For someone who I’m told gives talks to children about the importance of changing a bad attitude and trying to be a good role model, punching someone in the chest is not a good move. Doing it in front of thousands of people and millions of tv viewers is even more ill-advised Barton, who has been on the end of a few strong tackles since his return to the premier league with Newcastle, finally gave into his inner demons when he lashed out at Morten Gamst Pedersen last night. There was a slight brush of shoulders which Barton took offence to and the red mist clouded over so obviously that Jamie Redknapp would probably tell you that he could literally see it. Barton proceeded to turn around and full force punch Pedersen in the chest, either that or he tried Pai Mai’s Five Point Palm Exploding Heart Technique as seen in Kill Bill Vol. 2. This would probably be a bit harsh, though. The referee failed to see the incident and the FA are now investigating, personally, I think he should be banned for at least 5 games.

Should Ian Holloway be punished for his team selection?

The FA have a tough decision to make after Ian Holloway made 10 changes to his team when Blackpool took on Villa last night. You’ll remember that the FA fined Wolves £25,000 when Mick McCarthy made 10 changes in a game against Manchester United last season. However, like Mick’s Wolves side, despite losing, Blackpool put in a very decent performance; the team came back to equalise twice before conceding the heartbreaking final goal late on. So, is it only an offence if teams make changes against the big clubs? I said at the time last season that McCarthy’s decision does not affect the credibility of the league as Arsene Wenger suggested and you can read what I had to say here. 

Van Der Vaart and Bruce Springsteen

    Bruce                                  Rafa            

There's no doubt in my mind that Rafa Van der Vaart has got a touch of the Springsteen about him so everytime he scores we'll be having a little Bruce sing-a-long. This week his goal against Sunderland evoked an uninspired ourburst of  'Born in the USA'. So, we're going for this video, headband and all. Rock 'em, Rafa!!