Renaissance: The sequel

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
06 Mar	3:00 PM	P	Burnley (H)	3	1	Win

Saturday proved something of a renaissance (I seem to be using that word more and more recently, not sure of the significance yet) for a few players; Eboue, Nasri and Walcott in particular. It goes without saying that Nicklas Bendtner was not one of them, but the manager has been quick to defend him saying;

"His overall game was quite good. Of course I'm not pleased he missed his chances. The second thing was the crowd was at a certain point wobbling a bit but then they turned for him and that's good. If they turned against him, for a striker that causes a problem."

Now, I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am a big fan of this guy and don't really understand the criticism he attracts. Of course, when he misses the chances that he missed on Saturday, it's a little easier to understand it, but as I alluded to yesterday, days like Saturday do not come often. They also used to come for the likes of Henry and van Persie, and I'm sure they still will. Symptomatic of Nick's day was the one shot he got on target that beat Brian Jensen was scrambled off the goal line by Leon Cort. But he kept going and when he must have wanted the ground to swallow him whole, it would have taken every inch of his self confidence to keep putting himself in the position to miss.

I know his main job is to score goals. However, if he isn't scoring goals himself then he is, at least, contributing to the team to make it a more effective attacking force as a whole- six goals in our last two games points to that. Moreover, he is the only player in the squad that would have put away that massive equalising header at Stoke last week.

Of course, such profligacy tomorrow night, when we attempt to overturn the 2-1 lead that Porto have over us, is likely to be costly. I don't personally think that'll be an issue for Bendtner tomorrow. What may be more of an issue for the team as a whole is the absence of Cesc, for which James seems to think I should take some responsibility as I mentioned it in the pub beforehand on Saturday. I think Pat Rice and his warm ups a more likely culprit, but what do I know?

It's good that Cesc has been ruled out early, it gives the manager a chance to focus the minds of his players on the game ahead early on, without worrying about what might happen with the captain. A Cultured Left Foot mentioned the similarities between tomorrow night and what turned out to be Thierry Henry's last game in our red and white 3 years ago. How time has flown, but as long ago as it was, the manager clearly hasn't forgotten it and has acted accordingly- or maybe Cesc just isn't up to it risking his damaged hamstring. I can only echo the thoughts of others in saying that, with 9 league matches to go, it would be utter folly to risk our title challenge because of a game that the rest of our players should be eminently capable of winning without the captain.

The excellent performance of Samir Nasri in central midfield on Saturday certainly gives reason to believe that the loss of the captain need not be a bad thing, whilst we will have Alex Song back in the side to beef things up. For me, the only decision to make is between Diaby and Denilson. And, if he's fit, I would go for the more dynamic Diaby who will be instrumental, I feel, in setting the right tempo tomorrow night. The deployment of Nasri in midfield would allow Arsène to field an attacking triumvirate of Walcott, Bendtner and Arshavin. Or perhaps Eduardo will come into the centre. There is also the Rosicky option at any point in the team between Alex Song and centre forward.

I would, for what it's worth, persist with Bendtner. I feel that he gives the team a shape that we lack in the absence of both him and Robin and, obviously, he gives us an alternate route to goal when our little triangles around the penalty area don't pay off- which, I think we have to accept, does happen from time to time. The performance of Theo Walcott, in Saturday's second half at least, also tells us that it's unwise to rush to judge these young players prematurely. They will have bad games, they will have good games. The only truth that applies to them is that consistency of performance will come through experience. This comes with games, rather than sitting in the stands or lying on a treatment table somewhere.

Sol Campbell looks set to return to the team, no doubt hoping to atone for his brief flashback to that West Ham game 4 years ago, which cost us a goal in Portugal. That mistake represents a small blemish on what has otherwise been a truly impressive return to north London for the big man. Relief for us all, now that Micky Silvestre has been consigned to 4th choice centre back as a result of Sol's impressive form. A home debut in the Champions League is a fitting reward for his performances, although I can't be the only one who would like to see Gallas back in the saddle soon.

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