Saha so good

In every manager’s well thumbed-handbook of things to say to annoying journos is the one about “not playing well but getting the points.”

Surely the real secret is having one of your less good days – against a side short of everything, including a single point.

A sharper outfit would have had us strugging to get more than a draw. Tim Howard and Louis Saha saved us. Our smiling Frenchman showed the class that he had at Fulham, never at United, and now turns on for us. David Moyes says the striker has worked harder than ever during the summer to build his strength and flexibility. It shows and his goal was ruthlessly taken from a ball by Heitinga who showed again that he’s got what it takes in the Prem. His third position in four games isn’t the best preparation for settling into a side but anybody who has played fifty games for Holland is in football’s elite. He will have much harder games, against the top four bully boys, or even the hack it and hope merchants from Stoke on Sunday.

One happy thought for David Moyes at the moment is the number of options he has. He’s got more choices than a Daily Mail hatchet man looking to have a pop at Gordon Brown. For example, will Yakubu and Jo get an away day in Minsk? They should because the men from Belarus might not have seen a combo like them before and we can always have Louis handy on the bench. The country has a turbulent history but is it ready for a Lucas Neill rumble? Especially following the hot news that his London gaff has been turned over and he’s not even moved north yet. Mind you, there are 10 nightclubs in Minsk for post match relaxation but somehow I don’t think the frosty Moyes is on for an early mid-season break.

There is a feeling that goals are in the air right now. Certainly that’s where the ball will be on Sunday. There is a rumour that Rory Delap doesn’t sleep at home in between games. He just hangs from the crossbar at Stoke’s ground to stretch his arms.

By KHB