The Premiership has arguably the best players in the world, but one thing is certain ... the wimps are quickly being spotted.

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.