No Shirkers In Toon Midfield!

Last Updated : 06-Nov-2008 by
The clubs winning honours are those with a strong backbone, and the midfield of winning club has to be filled with industry as well as invention.

Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes have skill, vision and steel ... while Arsenal have won nothing for almost four years, probably summed up on Saturday when Arsene Wenger cried in his beer saying "Stoke were too physical!"

The rule is - if someone kicks you - kick the buggers back!

Joey Barton and Nicky Butt did just that in our superb win over Aston Villa, with a second-half performance that was magnificent.

The Premiership, as we were quick to learn, is no place for the 'Fancy Dans' of the game - Viana, Luque, Bassedas, Gavilan, Maric, etc.

And the interim gaffa knows all about it.

Joe Kinnear: "Joey was outstanding in the game on Monday.

"Him and Nicky Butt are the heartbeat of our side.

"The pair of them have been superb and have given us a real platform to build on in the games since I've been here.

"Their performances are giving everyone confidence and you can see everyone else rising up and getting a lift because of their performances.

"I thought we were excellent on Monday - we really deserved our win and the confidence and lift that will give everyone is immense.

"We go to Fulham now with our heads held high.

"We're only a few points now off the top half of the table, which just goes to show how tight the league is, and there is a real confidence and belief in the players."