Talk of the Toon
You can’t escape the impact Joey Barton has on Newcastle. It was his tackle on Abou Diaby that galvanised his team and led to the Arsenal player’s red card. It was a fierce tackle, but a fair one.
You must also value the decision by Alan Pardew, who kept on the same XI at half-time and obviously told them: ‘You got us into it, now get us out.’ They did, in spectacular fashion.
Tough tackler: Barton’s challenge on Diaby altered the course of the clash with Arsenal
Stunning Saha
I spoke with Rio Ferdinand many years ago about then Manchester United striker Louis Saha. Rio said he was ‘unplayable’ on his day and was among the best players he had played with, or against.
David Moyes must wish he sees him at his best more often for Everton. He collects too many injuries, but his four goals on Saturday show he is still class.
Loan heroes
You can complain about the transfer window, but there are three loan signings who won’t be moaning. Jamie O’Hara and Kyle Walker left Tottenham for regular first-team football and the chance to continue their progress.
It was a good weekend for both, with Walker scoring for Villa and being called up by England and O’Hara keeping the ball for Wolves in their brilliant win.
Loan stars: Jamie O’Hara (left) and Kyle Walker (right)
More from Jamie Redknapp for the Daily Mail…
Loan heroes II
Daniel Sturridge had scored one Barclays Premier League goal before this week. Then he scored Bolton’s winner against Wolves in the week and was on target at White Hart Lane on Saturday, where he was a menace.
Like Jack Wilshere before him, he has gone to a good club for experience, and Owen Coyle brings the best out of his players. He’ll get more, too.
Tell me why
Jack Wilshere may get a run out in the quarterback position mastered by Paul Scholes over the years; he’s an exciting young man and we wish him well.
But can anyone tell me why we’re having midweek international friendlies at such a critical stage of the season? Who cares that England are playing in Denmark, what can we learn from that? What a waste of time.
Woe of the Wests
There was something positive for almost every club in the Premier League this weekend. Apart from West Ham, who were very poor yesterday, and West Brom, who sacked their manager.
Roberto di Matteo is an impressive young guy who wanted to play football the right way. He has inferior players and seems to have an inferior board. Could this be the weekend when both went west?
Sign him now
You can see the confidence oozing from Liverpool. Four wins in a row and four clean sheets, but they are playing with confidence and are smiling again.
I don’t see why the owners should delay offering Kenny Dalglish a permanent deal. It’s not as if he is an ordinary caretaker. The only gamble here is theirs if they fail to get him to stay.
Kop that! Dalglish has transformed Liverpool since he returned
