Why Liverpool and Arsenal fans should forget pre-season defeats and my fantasy team
By Robbie Savage - Published 23:11 04/08/11
Liverpool have shipped 15 in five pre-season games and Arsenal were booed off at the Emirates after conceding sloppy goals. And you know what? It doesnât matter a bit.Yes, both those teams need to sign commanding centre-halves but pre-season games are no indication of what is going to happen in the season.
While the long campaign is about how you perform and gel as a team, pre-season is about you as an individual. Youâve got to get as fit as you can and outperform your closest rivals in the squad to make sure youâre in that starting XI on opening day. The team ethic can wait.
So there is no real reason for concern at poor pre-season results. And no reason for United or City fans to get overexcited about Sundayâs Community Shield either.
Both managers will want to use the exercise to suss out their closest rivals - and I mean closest at the top of the the league now, as well as geographically - and for that reason neither will show their hand by playing their first-choice side.
***
Was at the Emirates last Sunday for ESPN and no sooner had I said on TV that Theo Walcott needed to work on the consistency of his crossing than the Arsenal ace collared me at half-time.
Theo said some nice things about me championing him over his ridiculous World Cup omission, but pointed out heâd set up Robin van Persieâs last eight goals and that crossing was becoming a strong suit of his game.
That showed what a passion for the game this kid has.
Iâve always thought Theo was a very good player. But if he can find his man 80 percent of the time rather than 50 percent, he can be a great one.
Cesc Fabregas noticed me sitting at ESPNâs on-pitch analysis desk and Tweeted: âRobbie Savage is in the corner where I nutmegged him a couple of seasons ago. He must like it.â He didnât mention the centre circle, where I battered him year after year!
***
Hereâs my fantasy team of the season: Hart (Man C); Bardsley (Sunderland), Woodgate (Stoke), W Brown (Sunderland), JA Riise (Fulham); Duff (Fulham), Silva, De Jong (both Man C), Ireland (Villa), Aguero (Man C),
Suarez (Liverpool).
Agueroâs signing is the reason City will finish top two this season â theyâve shrugged off Carlos Tevezâs transfer request and replaced him with someone who I think is even better.
MirrorFootball It's good to hear from a footballer point of view some truth about pre-season games.