I would argue not. It seems to me that what we have witnessed is nothing more than a set of freak results due to circumstance. Can anyone seriously contemplate the next four games between Champions League teams producing any where near twenty-nine goals? Of course not. What’s more, the emphasis has tended, not surprisingly to focus on the goal exploits of the “big” clubs – the scoring records for many of the mid-table teams are nothing out of the ordinary.
As City’s expensively-assembled squad has begun to really gel, it is no surprise they have hit the goal trail. They were the better side against Manchester United, but were helped by the red card for Jonny Evans, and United’s suicidal attacking tendencies thereafter, which they ruthlessly exploited. Against Everton, the partnership of Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans was the sixth different combination United have used at centre-half this term in the league. Consider that Norwich, progressing well in the league, have had an unchanged line up for six games.
Alex Ferguson has also introduced new players in defence who despite the hype from the media are young, experienced, and far from the finished article. Coinciding with the likes of Patrice Evra and Jonny Evans being out of form, and the phasing-out of some of the old guard, there was always going to be bad days at the office.
Chelsea too are in transition. A new, young and inexperienced manager is learning about Premiership football the hard way. Mumblings persist that John Terry is on the wane, and off-field controversies won’t help his concentration. Villas-Boas favours a high defensive line and aggressive, hard pressing of the opposition, which leaves Terry even more susceptible, not helped by the fact that Chelsea, like United, have not had a consistent back-line so far this season.
Like United also, they have players out of form – most noticeably Bosingwa, but Petr Cech seems a shadow of his old self (though last season it seemed he might be getting back to his best). Chelsea have so far conceded fewer shots per game than on average compared to last season, but are clearly allowing better chances on their goal –the high defensive line is so far leaving them more exposed.
Arsenal were in disarray for a few weeks, and paid the price horrifically at Old Trafford. Spurs too were not ready for the new season, until the introduction of Scott Parker (after the 1-5 reverse at home to Manchester City) helped shored up their defence.
It won’t last. Villas-Boas will find a system that protects his back line better. United have already started taking a more cautious approach on the football field, as seen in their 1-0 victory at Goodison Park. Arsenal have rediscovered their form, and Spurs are flying too – their defences have recovered their mojo at the same time.
Clubs’ defensive coaches did not all die in a swarm of locusts over the summer. Every club manager did not receive a bang on the head in late July that turned them into kamikaze coaches. It was fun whilst it lasted, but expect normal service to soon be resumed – as soon as managers manage to play the same defence for two weeks in succession.
Howard Hockin for FootballFanCast.com
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