Chris Kamara reveals his picks of the weekend from the Premier League and answers YOUR questions.
Got a question for Kammy? Email him here or use the feedback form at the bottom of the page.
Much like last weekend, we had a lot of surprising results in the Premier League.
Wright-phillips: two-goal hero
Manchester City's win at Sunderland was highly unexpected, as was Tottenham's draw at Chelsea and I was surprised to see Pompey winning so convincingly at Everton.
I thought Portsmouth might get something at Goodison Park, but certainly not a 3-0 win. Harry had been saying they're not in the same league as Chelsea and Manchester United, but they're as good as anybody else.
To score five goals against anyone in the Premier League is phenomenal, but to go away from home and do it is even better.
Chris Kamara
Quotes of the week
I was at the Riverside on Saturday where Stoke put up a really good fight against Middlesbrough. Amdy Faye was sent off and they still managed to come from 1-0 down before losing it in the end.
For a while it looked like they were going to get something out of a decent Middlesbrough team. Gareth Southgate doesn't need me to tell him he's short in a couple of areas - most notably the centre of midfield - but if they can strengthen there then they've got a chance of doing really well this year.
The two wide men Jeremie Aliadiere and Stewart Downing are very good, they're as solid as anything at the back and they've got so many good permutations up front with Tuncay, Mido and Afonso Alves.
Kammy's picks of the weekend...
GAME - Chelsea 1 Tottenham 1
This was a good game because you were never quite sure which way it was going to go. I fully expected Chelsea to run away with it, but Tottenham showed a lot of fight and courage and their goalkeeper looked absolutely outstanding. The way he commanded his 18-yard box reminded me of Bruce Grobbelaar and he's certainly not a typical Brazilian keeper.
GOAL - Jermain Defoe
This goal nearly never stood, but I'm glad it did because it was such a clever finish. He showed great awareness of where the goalkeeper was and he proved how he's a great goalscorer. I fancied him to emulate top scorers like Gary Lineker or Clive Allen if he'd played more at Tottenham and I'm sure he'll end up with 20 goals for Pompey this season.
SAVE - David James
There were a few good saves this week. Jussi Jaaskelainen and Scott Carson both made great saves in the Bolton v West Brom match, but I think David James' save against Everton was the best. He pushed Mikel Arteta's shot onto the post and picked himself up in one movement to collect the ball from the rebound, which was fantastic.
PLAYER - Shaun Wright-Phillips
There was a lot of pressure on his shoulders putting a Manchester City shirt on again because people were describing him as a failure at Chelsea. But he's gone back with a smile on his face and he'll be glad to be seen as a hero again. He was a small fish in a big pond, but he proved against Sunderland that he's delighted to be a big fish again.
TEAM - Wigan
To score five goals against anyone in the Premier League is phenomenal, but to go away from home and do it is even better. Those were their first points of the season, but I saw them at West Ham on the opening day and I liked what I saw even though they lost. It's tremendous that they're up and running now.
GAFFER - Alan Curbishley
There was a lot of unnecessary pressure on him, but it's worked in his favour and that's the beauty of this game sometimes. If the players wanted him out they would have worked against him, but the players clearly want to stick with him and they worked their socks off to get a great result for their manager.
GRIPE - Time for touchline technology
The debate about cameras in the goalmouth is an old one, but it's got to happen. Defoe's wonderful goal only stood because Peter Crouch followed it up and referees need some help to clear those things up. It would only take a couple of seconds to stop the play and I simply can't see any problem with putting cameras in the goals. The fourth official could watch a video replay and press a buzzer to alert the referee and it wouldn't disrupt the flow of the game at all.
Kammy answers your e-mails...
Got a question for Kammy? Email him here or use the feedback form at the bottom of the page.
FAB CHANCE
Kammy, now that Fabregas is back, do you think we can win the Premier League? I think we need a quality midfielder to play in the middle with Fabregas, say a De Guzman from Feyernoord, and of course we need some of our injured players to come back strong like Rosicky, Eduardo and Van Persie. Windell Wignal (Arsenal fan)
KAMMY SAYS: Fabregas coming back was always going to be key for Arsenal, but people don't seem to recognise that. When Manchester United lose a few players people talk about bad luck, but if Arsenal lose a few then people say the squad's not big enough. The players that you've mentioned Windell are very important and it's difficult when those big names aren't available.
I think Arsene Wenger would like a holding midfielder, but I don't think he'll get one before the deadline. Despite that, I'm with you that they'll be there or there abouts this season and it's by no means a two-horse title race. I think both Arsenal and Liverpool will be up there with United and Chelsea.
KEANE TO IMPROVE
Kammy, I would like to know what your thoughts are on Roy Keane's new signings. I personally think that it is now looking very encouraging at the club and we will see a step up in class as well as the gritty determination that the lads showed last season. I think a lot of big teams will find it very tough against us this season as Liverpool found out. Haway The Lads! Andy Huzzard (Sunderland fan)
KAMMY SAYS: They might have got a battering at the weekend, but I look at the Sunderland team sheet now and I think 'that's a Premier League team'. Craig Gordon, Pascal Chimbonda, Steed Malbranque, Andy Reid, El-Hadji-Diouf and Djibril Cisse are all players of quality. The bench still isn't the strongest, but Roy Keane's taking it one step at a time and he's making them a better side. I don't think they'll have too many results like they did on Sunday against a Manchester City team who had the likes of Tal Ben Haim and Elano on the bench. Sunderland's bench doesn't compare to that at the moment and they'll need to build their squad. Last season was a wing and a prayer for them after Roy bought so many players from the Championship and the form of Kenwyne Jones probably masked a multitude of sins. But Roy's learned from that, he's shipped the likes of Dickson Etuhu out pretty quickly, and he's brought quality in.
TOFFEES GETTING STUCK
Kammy, I'm a massive Everton fan and after the success of last season, I really thought that we could push on for a top-four finish. But transfers have been non existent this summer till this week, so it leaves me wondering if something is going on behind the scenes or is it that we can't attract the players? What do you think is going on at the club? Dominic Barlow (Everton Fan)
KAMMY SAYS: Everton can attract players because of the tradition and the history of the club and they're not backwards in coming forwards with wages. David Moyes is always very careful with his signings and tends to take his time, but the biggest factor is perhaps finance.
Bill Kenwright perhaps needs somebody to come in with some money, as has happened at Liverpool, Man City, Newcastle and Aston Villa. As clever and creative as Kenwright is, he's a playwright and they don't have billions of pounds. I'm sure he and Moyes would welcome more investment and if that happened, I'm sure they wouldn't be signing the likes of Louis Saha, who is a bit of a risk with all his injury problems.
As it is, they're asking a lot of their youngsters. Jack Rodwell is only 17 and Victor Anichebe is only 20 but they're having to play. When Wayne Rooney was at the club, Moyes hardly played him at first but he's having to stick these lads in because he lacks strength in depth. I'm sure if they had more money or more backing, Moyesy would be happy to spend it. He's done brilliantly to get them to where he has, but without investment it's hard to kick on.
Got a question for Kammy? Email him here or use the feedback form at the bottom of the page.
Comments (38)
Windell Wignal (Arsenal fan) says...
hey kammy, is Stephen Appiah the missing peice to Arsenals title aspirations? I know Wenger wants to groom Diaby for that role but injury has hamperd his progress and maturity hes a good player but Appiah is 27 and mature and I JUST THINK HE WOULD DO A GOOD JOB AND will not cost the club a transfer fee
Posted 05:18 8th September 2008
Max Smith (Liverpool fan) says...
alrite kammy massive fan i think your very funny and your a legend but who do think liverpool will sign next because i think players like dossena and riera are medioca players who are goin to struggle and lastly do you think torres will honestly leave liverpool for city because i think not and i also think money has wrecked the game
Posted 20:44 6th September 2008
Windell Wignal (Arsenal fan) says...
kammy, i've read that arsenal are ready to sign stephen appiah whose a free agent and that is why they did not sign anybody on last day of transfer window. What do you think, will he be a good fit in the way we play? I know he's 27 and a good play from what i've seen of him as a youngster with juventus. I do understand where Mr Wenger is coming from as you cant just get up and buy any player because the fans want you to or because everyone else is buying, but i have to face reality I was never a big fan of Eboue and i dont think Denilson is quite ready yet........so fo now it looks like Appiah is the man......do you think it is a good signing and will it happen?
Posted 20:08 5th September 2008
Mick Duffy (Middlesbrough fan) says...
Kammy I was just wondering what you think of Middlesbrough this season and what you think their will achieve this year ? I think after last season lows crowds Southgate has done good and with the best chairman again we have a wonderful young team and Im hoping we are going to surprise a few teams like Liverpool i thought we where very unlucky not to get 3 points and with the state of northeast football i hope newcastle sort their backroom problems and with roy keane doing a great job at sunderland. I hope northeast football is back on the up and we down the riverside get the respect we deserve in this league. Big Mick (BORO FAN)
Posted 16:29 5th September 2008
Neil Bradshaw (Wigan Athletic fan) says...
I have always like SWP and think that he was unlucky not to stamp his place in the first team on a regular basis at Chelski but when you look at the options Scolari has available to him in comparison to Man City you can fully understand his decision to move back to Eastlands. Then, you have to fully feel for the little man, City spend all that money on him and he does ever so well on his debut, then the next day the club are taken over and become the richest club in the world... basically he's right back where he started with Chelsea now! They'll sign and sign and sign more players buying everyone they can who has a above average reputation and he'll once again become a squad player. He'll come into the team ever couple of games in a rotation system and City fans will become disappointed as Chelski fans did because though he is quality he isn't quite as a good as Robinho, Ronaldo and co etc etc. It's a shame for the lad!
Posted 22:12 4th September 2008
Adrian Hyatt (Manchester United fan) says...
Hey Kammy what kind of impact Manucho and Berbatov will make in our squad ? Do u think Frazier Campbell's move to tottenham will push his career further ? and how do you think we are coping with a less than 100% squad at the start of the season,do you think Man City's money injection will have any effect on us retaining our coveted EPL title?
Posted 20:39 4th September 2008
Kihoro Jesse wachira (Manchester United fan) says...
Now that the race is up to five teams, including the new kids on the block man city, i think wenger should think seriously about getting a new player.....most likely among the free agents. i would suggest Apia-Ghana's captain...The man is a free agent and given thats wenger prefers to buy cheap and sell high..he is also quite experienced.
Posted 12:44 4th September 2008
Austin G (Arsenal fan) says...
Football is going supersonic. With the arrival of supersonic billionaire but what will be the after effect? beyound the poor man's or average man's reach. Abrahamo dig this out with them now. big fight! but the difference is clear 146 billion and 12 the difference is clear. teams like Everton will even be kick out of the race. what do you think?
Posted 02:39 4th September 2008
Kris D (Sunderland fan) says...
I think that Sunderland could be heading for a top 10 finish this season. Roy has brought in real top class players like Anton and Cisse. As well as keeping some of the team from last year who appear to be improving dramatically, such as Danny Collins. The main person I'm looking forward to seeing is Malbranque, if he has a good season well be in a very good position. And when Jones comes back I think well have a team that could make a few shock results this season
Posted 19:00 3rd September 2008
Ashley Payne (Arsenal fan) says...
I'm getting worried about Mr Wenger and need to voice my concerns over the clubs future. Why has Wenger allowed the greatest footballing side to fall to pieces, at a time when we had the so called Invincibles any player could have been signed. Does he really believe that the current crop of youngsters are good enough to compete in 4 competitions? We can all see for ourselves that away from home they are simply not good enough, we have weakend this season and acquire 1 player in Nasri who can compete and mix it with the best. The rest simply are not good enough. Do Arsenal season ticket holders really want to see an inept eboue and less effective denilson play in central midfield? No....They pay more than any other club in world football for these tickets and deserve to see the best players at the club...He seems to think that its all about the youth....No...ITS ALL ABOUT NOW...the present day....not hoping that the young blood can compete in 3 years time coz there young...Theres no doubt about it that he can spot potential but at a time when Chelsea, Liverpool and Man U are spending on established players there come a time when he needs to get the cheque book out and spend a little...
Posted 17:16 3rd September 2008
John Holmes (Stoke City fan) says...
hi kammy just a quick response to reidy being thailands coach.A real hard job, as there doesnt seem to be footballers coming thru at grass roots and their premiership is garbage,i could have played in that league. good remarks about stoke city and with the 3 signings maybe we have a chance to avoid relegation,but the goal posts keep getting moved aka man city.I thought we were in complete control before faye got sent off then back to the walls.At least now the critics can go swivel as we are playing some good football.
Posted 15:32 3rd September 2008
Mark Bilbie (Nottingham Forest fan) says...
Transfers are on hold, roll on the England qualifiers. I like Capello alot but I just wish that in his friendlies he uses a few more new young faces. The likes of Gabriel at Villa smashing in a 7 minute hatrick. It wouldn't hurt to have used him against the Czech's. A young English man with a bright future who has a brilliant goal record already in the Premier League. He was on fire and sometimes it takes something like to kick start your international career. We start our qualifiers against a team that would love to have a player like Gabriel playing for them. I think if Gabriel scored a hatrick for Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea or Liverpool then his name would be in Capello's squad.
Posted 15:08 2nd September 2008
Bradley Haskins (Macclesfield Town fan) says...
I am a proud Macclefield town supporter 4 life, but my prediction to win the premeirship is Arsenal because is all they are getting is negative stuff said about them, but think about it who plays the best football in England its the gunners without a dout, also i think Arsene Wenger deals with plays how coaches should deal with them e.g. wages.
Posted 13:08 2nd September 2008
Iphy-collins Okafor (Arsenal fan) says...
Kammy i am thrilled with all your analysis..you sure sound great.finally the brouhaha about who come and who goes has ended..now its time to face the real game..no more excuses of we dont have this striker we dont have that defender...Robinho welocme to the best league,Berby show your class at Man Utd,SWP you can do it again with Man city and for Arsenal Nasri,Vela Silvestre are all good buy..this season is going to be intresting and unpredictable.
Posted 09:17 2nd September 2008
Nathan Hosker (Newcastle United fan) says...
Kammy I'm a huge Newcastle fan and have been watching anxiously over the summer to see who the magpies might bring in terms of quality, Coloccini has been a good buy from deportivo and seems that Kevin Keegan has searched through europe for players who mostly seem of argentinian origin. Do you think think finding south american players can be good for the premiership or is it the case of another failed player we have to send their bags packing??? In particular what would you think to newcastle achieving a top six position??? or due to manchester city's recent transfers activities that the top is going to be the place for teams like city, portsmouth and everton???
Posted 08:50 2nd September 2008
Benjamin Wyllie (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
Im a huge spurs fan and i think its great that Juande Ramos has brought in the likes of Modric, Pavlyuchenko and Dos Santos but im a little concerned that we're lacking upfront, what with the departure of our 2 top scorers last season, Keane and Berbatov, i feel we are possibly going to struggle goal wise if say bent or pavlyuchenko are injured. do you think Ramos should have brought in a new striker with quality like say Villa? its not like spurs dont have the money. what do you think would have been best? my opinion is that ramos maybe should have kept berbatov until january and then let him go. that way he would have had time to discuss with the board which player he really wants and make a big money offer
Posted 07:57 2nd September 2008
Arseven reshat Gumush (Arsenal fan) says...
Both Wright-Phillips and Defoes's success is actually good for England as well where we have a shortage of goalscoreres; Don't you agree?
Posted 07:17 2nd September 2008
Kory Yancone (Liverpool fan) says...
Kammy, do you make anything of Robbie Keane not having scored a goal yet? Robbie keeps saying how the goals will come but frankly he seems to dissapear in games and has never actually looked to dangerous. I'm a firm believer that the reds can win the league if they learn how to score more then one goal a game but Torres is gonna need some help
Posted 06:50 2nd September 2008
Mel Lumley (Liverpool fan) says...
I am a bit fed up with Liverpool's transfer activity now. It's been years. Are you happy with Liverpool's signings this summer? Think they are shrewd? All the other teams in the top 4 have made big name signings but Liverpool not really getting in impressive names. Manchester City got Robinho! We get Riera? Just want to know your views. Is Rafa Benitez out of ideas or just not able to move Liverpool to the next level?
Posted 04:04 2nd September 2008
Mel Lumley (Liverpool fan) says...
I am a bit fe dup with Liverpool's transfer activity now. It's been years. Are you happy with Liverpool's signings this summer? Think they are shrewd? All the other teams in the top 4 have made big name signings but Liverpool not really getting in impressive names. Manchester City got Robinho! We get Riera? Just want to know your views. Is Rafa Benitez out of ideas or just not able to move Liverpool to the next level?
Posted 04:04 2nd September 2008
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