Chris Kamara - Sky Sports Expert

White Hart gain

Kammy's Premier League picks of the weekend

Posted: 27th October 2008 15:35

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Harry Redknapp Tottenham Hotspur Bolton Wanderers Premier League

Redknapp: winning start

Harry's a fantastic man-manager; he knows he is inheriting a talented squad but it's about being able to handle big players and he can certainly do that.

Kammy on Harry Redknapp
Quotes of the week

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Teams

  • Bolton Wanderers
  • Chelsea

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Harry Redknapp's arrival at Tottenham on Saturday night was a surprise but it's an appointment that just feels right.

He has has worked miracles at Portsmouth so I completely understand his decision to accept Daniel Levy's offer.

Ever since he's been in management Harry has wanted a crack at a big club; when I say big club, I'm talking about the facilities, the support and the potential that Tottenham undoubtedly have.

He could have gone to Newcastle - a club similar to Spurs in terms of history and tradition - in January but because he's settled down south, it wasn't feasible logistically.

The opportunity for a London lad to take the reins at White Hart Lane is perfect and I've no doubt he'll do well.

Respect

Harry's a fantastic man-manager; he knows he is inheriting a talented squad but it's about being able to handle big players and he can certainly do that. He commands respect - but he's earned that over the last 25 years, it hasn't just come overnight.

I do feel a bit sorry for Juande Ramos, though. After winning the Carling Cup last season, he should have put his foot down and said Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane were staying for the benefit of the club.

That's easier said than done because of player power but he certainly didn't have complete control over their replacements.

I fancied Liverpool to get a draw at Stamford Bridge but to beat Chelsea was a massive bonus.

They're the Arsenal of last season at this moment in time; Arsenal of course couldn't sustain it after January but if the investment that Rafa Benitez has talked about is forthcoming, there is no reason why Liverpool shouldn't be able to.

They've had a few injuries along the way but they seem to be getting better all the time; they showed against Wigan that they have character and now everyone wants a piece of the action.

Manchester United could have been out of sight at Goodison Park by half-time, they had so much room, but then the crowd really got behind the home side and the champions got a bit ruffled.

Sir Alex Ferguson had a grumble that Alan Wiley didn't protect his players enough but from where I was standing, I don't think he had too much to complain about.

Kammy's picks of the weekend...

GAME - Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool
 That's got to be Liverpool: the first team to beat Chelsea at home in the league for more than four years. It certainly sent out a message that the Reds are genuine title contenders.

GOAL - Kieron Richardson
 Kieron Richardson's free-kick - with just 15 minutes left on the clock - was an absolute beauty. And what a way to give your side their first home win against rivals Newcastle in 28 years.

KEEPER - Boaz Myhill
Joe Hart did well, even though Manchester City came out comfortable winners against but it's another mention for Hull City and their keeper Boaz Myhill, who put in another solid performance against West Brom.

PLAYER - Robinho
He wasn't the player I've come to know against Newcastle last week but I think a lot of that was down to jet-lag after playing twice for Brazil. He showed his true colours against Stoke, however, and there's no doubting he's transformed Eastlands.

GAFFER - Roy Keane
 I can't give it to Harry really because it was a joint effort with Clive Allen so I have to go for Roy Keane, who guided the Black Cats to bragging rights in the Tyne-Wear derby.

TEAM - Liverpool
 It has to be Liverpool for the second week in a row. After last week's comeback against Wigan, you can't look further than Rafa's men shattering that incredible record of Chelsea's.

GRIPE - None!
No gripe this week but instead a praise for some fantatsic refereeing from Alan Wiley! He was absolutely right to run over to Wayne Rooney and tell him to calm down after the United man was gesturing towards the Everton crowd. Common sense prevails at last!

Kammy answers your e-mails...

Got a question for Kammy? Email him here or use the feedback form at the bottom of the page.

IT'LL END IN TIERS
Kammy, what do you make of Phil Gartside's proposal for a two-tiered Premier League with no relegation? He wasn't making these noises when Bolton weren't in the top-flight. What about teams like Hull who take their chance?Andy Ward (Hull City fan)

KAMMY SAYS: I think it's absolure rubbish, Andy. Leave the Premier League as it is, that's what makes it so special. People love our football; we have the most supported league in the world. Put the Football League and the Premier League together and there's nothing anywhere else like it. You want to take all that away because you want to look after your own club's interests? No, I'm not having it. Please don't let this happen!

TECH THAT
It does my head in when people say English players are technically inferior to foreign players. Look at the pace our game is played at and look at the English lads who play for Chelsea and Man United - Lampard, Joe Cole, Scholes, Carrick, Rooney - they all play the ball on the floor at a fast pace. We all know La Liga and Serie A is played at a slower pace so shouldn't our English lads be technically better as they play the ball at a faster pace whilst being pressured by the opposition more? What's your opinion on that Kammy?Neil Kendall (Chelsea fan)

KAMMY SAYS: I agree 100 per cent with you, Neil. The football in La Liga and Serie A is indeed played at a slower pace and it's more deliberate; we play at 300 miles an hour but our players would be very comfortable with the pace they play over there. Technically-wise, we're better than most and we've seen that in the Champions League. It's just in the international set-up where our players need to keep evolving. We need to educate them to keep the ball a lot more, show our technical ability, and then when we get into the final third, use that pace that typifies English football.

Got a question for Kammy? Email him here or use the feedback form at the bottom of the page.

Comments

Gary Thompson (Liverpool fan) says...

With regards to english players being inferior to foreign players when it come to technical abililty you only have to look at the national teams failure on so many occasions to back this point up. Foreigners are technically superior as they keep the ball far better than english players do, trying to play a killer ball all the time is not always the best option. The premier league is the best league due to the fact it is dominated with foreign players.

Posted 21:43 28th October 2008

Connor Bromley (Sunderland fan) says...

hmmmmm, im a mackem, a season ticket holder but no way are we gonna make top 4 maybe top 6 but not top 4 i would predict us for the top 10 thats more realistic does anyone else think hull will lose it over the next few weeks? what you think kammy?

Posted 17:39 28th October 2008

Al T (Manchester City fan) says...

Hey Kammy I just wondered if you used Soul Glo for your glorious curls? Each time i see on on TV I marvel at the shiney locks you have. Added with your big daft smile and infectious style of match updates, Kammy, you're the toast of Sky Sports. Kammy, we love you x

Posted 17:09 28th October 2008

Bryan Ruane (Sunderland fan) says...

Hi Kammy love the blog!i think Sunderland are going to get a top four position this year call me crazy but i think after the victory it will spur them on to more success,what u think?

Posted 14:50 28th October 2008

Danio Galiani (Ebbsfleet United fan) says...

Technical Ability is more than just playing the ball along the ground, it also about selection of pass and posssession football. The England national team and many of Chelsea, Liverpool and Man U players dont play possession football and the long pass is looked for too often. Yes Spain and Italy are slower leagues, but thats because generally they keep the ball more in midfield and are patient, English teams look for the killer ball more often. Carefully watch players like Pirlo, Xavi amoungst so many others compared to players like Gerrard and Lampard, im not saying whos better but look art there style of play and selection of pass and you will see how important possession is.

Posted 13:24 28th October 2008

Dave Hold (Manchester United fan) says...

Kammy, Alan Wiley was having a laugh at Goodison, he did give United's players a tough time, he seemed to want to allow Ronaldo get rolled over every time he got the ball, he wanted to prove him as a diver, yet he was getting mullered by the Everton players!

Posted 13:19 28th October 2008

D'emanuel Hall (Brentford fan) says...

Hi Chris, wondered what you thought about an academy for coaches/managers as well as players over here. Sorry if this already exists, but I think there's been a wealth of talented british footballers who could have passed on thier knowledge as coaches/managers..but with the foreign invasion of "world class" players too many teams think they have to have a foreign coach,manager too. The british lads don't get a look in and tend to drift out and away from the game, only real prospect is masters football....what future do we have unless something is done??

Posted 12:35 28th October 2008

Sean Elleston (Aston Villa fan) says...

come on Kam i never hear anyone praise aston villa what do you think of aston villa start to the season do you think will break into the top 4 and if we do whats the best way to build on that ??

Posted 08:45 28th October 2008

Ceri Parker (Leeds United fan) says...

I am a big fan of leeds utd and was wondering what you think of the praise given to the club by one Sepp Blatter. Is it ustified as we have developed alot of talented players since the demise of our once great club. Also discussing youth, do you think Fabian Delph will one day be a star of world football as i think he is one of the best talents i have ever seen, even better than the talent leeds produced in the late 90's smith, kewell et al. Cheers

Posted 03:44 28th October 2008

Lee Addison (Sunderland fan) says...

Hi chris, As you know there are 4 groups of teams in the premier league: Title challangers European challangers Mid - Table Relegation battlers Now as you know hull city are currently title challangers. Where do you think they will end up come the end of the season? and when do you think the so called " lucky run " will end?

Posted 21:07 27th October 2008

Rory O'sullivan (Liverpool fan) says...

Kammy, how can you say English players are technically better as seen in the Champions League. Of the Big 4, you would be hard pressed to field an English eleven! Sit down some weekend night and watch Barca. Neutral fan with unbiased view.

Posted 19:04 27th October 2008

Luke N (Southampton fan) says...

Hi Chris, what do you make of all this rubbish happening down at southampton?? Its hard to take for all the fans at the moment because we just seem to be spiralling towards another relegation which would be unthinkable for anyone connected with the club!! we've just let go of last seasons top scorer which just makes the situation worse! what do you think realistically southampton should do right now???

Posted 17:30 27th October 2008

Mark Smith (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

i was just wondering Chris, what you think about Bolton at the moment. I went to the game against tottenham and we all turned on Megson, nobody wanted him and i heard his time could be up, so i was wondering do you think we should get rid of him? and who do you think we should go for ?

Posted 16:10 27th October 2008

Ronan Kirwan (Manchester United fan) says...

Hi Kammy. With the credit crunch and talk of a recession.signs are that attendendances might drop soon.So its important that the product is entertaining for people.so they will be inclined to part with their hard earned cash,with this in mind,apart from the usual suspects in the top four.and you could visit one top flight match every week,who would you pay to see?

Posted 16:07 27th October 2008

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