Written by Mean Lean on Tuesday, 04 October 2005 21:59

Interesting match on Saturday, well, not the kind of interesting to expect high level quality football. But interesting as in the pressure now on England to win. And with Wayne Rooney out it will be a chance to see Peter Crouch start his first non friendly.
If Crouch is the third best striker in England then England have a few problems. But for a tall, lanky target man, Crouch is quite decent with the ball at his feet. And not surprisingly good in the air at 6ft7 he maybe a good foil against Austria
David Beckham is back in form for Real Madrid playing on the right flank and setting up goal after goal at club level. Alot of people have been saying that he has been the best player for Real Madrid so far this season. So now with someone to aim for I can see that being used alot in the match. Beckham -> Crouch -> Goal or Beckham -> Crouch (knock down) -> Owen.
Against a world class team I don't think Peter Crouch has enough at International level though. We shall see.

I really hope that Sven is brave and drafts Campbell back in the side. He has been a man mountain since his come back and he can't argue that Ferdinand or Terry for that matter aren't playing as well as his right now. Hopefully Ferdinand will get the axe (In his head!)

Its all quiet on the Arsenal front today.

Thierry Henry said yesterday that he wants to forget his contract talks until the end of the season....scary!! Which is obviously a risk that we will have to take. Its horrible thinking this, let alone saying this but wouldn't Ronaldinho , Henry and Eto'o be a joy to watch?!
Lets just hope that we don't get to see that, unless the two Barca players want to play at Ashburton Grove (Still rather that name!)

Jose Reyes talks about how he doesn't mind going back to playing on the wing when Henry is fit, although he prefers it upfront. He also says that he loves playing in the Arsenal team with so many technical players.
I still would like to see Reyes and Henry build up a good relationship upfront together, I think it could work if A) Henry starts being a proper captain and starts encouraging Reyes and B) If Reyes stops being a school boy and learns when the right time to pass the ball and not run into another defender. You can see where A & B are linked now can't you?!

Oh and a bit of transfer news (This should be in the transfer rumours page! sorry!). Fulham Holding midfielder Papa Bouba Diop (who funnily enough is from Senegal) said in the evening standard that "I am not thinking about Arsenal and all the talk has not affected me. My objective is to progress every game and to play for Fulham"

Maybe we need to do a bit of a Chelsea and have a little word with him!!

Bouba Diop ohwoahho!...
Bouba Diop ohwoahho!...
He comes from Senegal!....
He plays for Arsenal!....

Does that work???