How many teams can miss that many first choice players and eke out a fairly comfortable win in the Champions League? I think that is the big question and one that many might have missed when entangled in observations pertaining to Arsenal's defence, which undoubtedly needs a lot more work.

As expected, Wenger rested a number of key players.

The summer verdict must be one of failure, late flourish or not. It was all left far too late, the boss and indeed the board too had the chance to get our house in order well before the start of the season after a shambolic late winter and spring. Look back over 2011 and there have been a handful, literally, of victories.

The Study of English Football [Part IV]: Letting our kids grow up is a post from: Just Football

Just Football's Study of English Football by Andreas Vou now concludes with Part IV and a look at how we handle youth development in English society compared to abroad. If you missed Part I , Part II or Part III follow the respective links:

THE main focus after England's miserable performance at the 2010 World Cup was to find the cause as to why such a talented side failed so badly.

Southampton have started the season in blistering form, certainly continuing their winning streak from last season. Nigel Adkins has done a terrific job with the saints installing real belief in to his players - the task which many fans believe McClaren has to do with the current Forest side [...]

Agger: We're miles apart

Daniel Agger believes Kenny Dalglish and his coaching staff have instilled a belief in the Liverpool squad that is 'miles apart' from last season.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-09-15 08:50:53 from: Liverpool FC

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Daniel Agger believes the current Liverpool squad has improved exponentially since last season, citing renewed belief as the reason the team is now ready to move forward this season.
In an interview with the official site, Agger outlined why he believes things have changed:
"I think it's a bit of everything, but obviously the coaching staff are helping.

Belief is sky high at Liverpool Agger

"We definitely have that now and if you compare it to last season, I think we're miles apart," says Reds defender

View the full story here: The Mirror

A news article on 2011-09-15 11:27:52 from: The Mirror

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Daniel Agger Liverpool confidence high

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger admits the belief within the squad is 'miles apart' from what it was this time last season. The Denmark international was unhappy under Roy Hodgson.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-09-15 11:46:48 from: The Mail

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Agger We have belief back

Daniel Agger admits the belief within the Liverpool squad is "miles apart" from what it was this time last season.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-09-15 13:13:24 from: Sky Sports

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Spurs manager Harry Redknapp was pleased with the 0-0 draw against PAOK Salonika last night and he praised his young side for their belief.

Tottenham managed a draw thanks largely to a retaken penalty by the home side which was missed at the second attempt, although Harry claims that his side should have had a spot kick of their own.

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger believes the club's current squad is "miles apart" when compared with last season's crop, most of whom were recruited by Roy Hodgson and Rafa Benitez.
The Reds endured a difficult time in the 2010-11 campaign under former manager Hodgson, who was ultimately sacked in January and replaced with current boss Kenny Dalglish.

Agger praises club turnaround

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has stated that things at the club are looking much more positive compared to this time last year, he believes the squad has found a new sense of confidence and belief under Kenny Dalglish. During Roy Hodgson's less than successful reign as Liverpool, Agger was one of many players that were unhappy as he was frequently played out of position and also spent more time than he hoped on the sidelines through injury.

Another game and another defeat, a common running theme running from February/March time.

Over the past few years we have endured many peaks and troughs, this one though is very worrying indeed. There have been questions asked of Wenger from sections of the support for a couple of years now, longer in some cases, but right now they are being asked genuinely and seriously his sacking is being touted as one of the main cures for this horrible run we are currently on.

Quotes

Head Coach John Spencer
On the overall result:
"I think that we came out a little flat. We never started the game particularly sharp. Obviously, you go a goal up and the goalkeeper pulls out an unbelievable save on Darlington (Nagbe), we could've been two-nil up, but to be fair I think if you look at the game as a whole, San Jose was very unlucky to not get more than one point.

‘There's no doubt Tottenham can finish top four' – Gareth Bale cements belief at White Hart Lane following Liverpool rout

The Welshman says confidence is high in the squad after the 4-0 mauling and is "sure" Spurs can qualify for Champions League, and has praise for Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-09-19 07:21:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

‘There's no doubt Tottenham can finish top four' – Gareth Bale cements belief at White Hart Lane following Liverpool rout

The Welshman says confidence is high in the squad after the 4-0 mauling and is "sure" Spurs can qualify for Champions League, and has praise for Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-09-19 07:21:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

‘There's no doubt Tottenham can finish top four' – Gareth Bale cements belief at White Hart Lane following Liverpool rout

The Welshman says confidence is high in the squad after the 4-0 mauling and is "sure" Spurs can qualify for Champions League, and has praise for Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-09-19 07:21:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

‘There's no doubt Tottenham can finish top four' – Gareth Bale cements belief at White Hart Lane following Liverpool rout

The Welshman says confidence is high in the squad after the 4-0 mauling and is "sure" Spurs can qualify for Champions League, and has praise for Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-09-19 07:21:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

‘There's no doubt Tottenham can finish top four' – Gareth Bale cements belief at White Hart Lane following Liverpool rout

The Welshman says confidence is high in the squad after the 4-0 mauling and is "sure" Spurs can qualify for Champions League, and has praise for Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-09-19 07:21:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that the UEFA Champions League far exceeds the global reach of FIFA World Cup due to the overall higher level of quality within the squads of top European clubs.

The Gunners, who are yet to hit top gear this season, are still clearly a better side than many national teams that compete in the World Cup and based on that logic, Wenger insists that there are no peers on the national team level for clubs like Champions League holders Barcelona.

In a little under an hour we take on the impressive Valencia and this is no easy game by any stretch of the imagination!. Valencia are doing well in La Liga and will want to make an impression in this one so Chelsea need to be at their very best to first of all cope with the Spaniards, then to get hold of possession and start to dictate play.

Dirk Kuyt has been impressed by how quickly Luiz Suarez has adapted to the Barclays Premier League, and expects the Liverpool striker to become even better.
Suarez has scored eight times in 21 appearances since his move to Liverpool from Ajax in January, and Kuyt knows how difficult it can be to make the transition from Dutch to English football.

‘There's no doubt Tottenham can finish top four' – Gareth Bale cements belief at White Hart Lane following Liverpool rout

The Welshman says confidence is high in the squad after the 4-0 mauling and is "sure" Spurs can qualify for Champions League, and has praise for Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-09-19 07:21:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

‘There's no doubt Tottenham can finish top four' – Gareth Bale cements belief at White Hart Lane following Liverpool rout

The Welshman says confidence is high in the squad after the 4-0 mauling and is "sure" Spurs can qualify for Champions League, and has praise for Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-09-19 07:21:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

‘There's no doubt Tottenham can finish top four' – Gareth Bale cements belief at White Hart Lane following Liverpool rout

The Welshman says confidence is high in the squad after the 4-0 mauling and is "sure" Spurs can qualify for Champions League, and has praise for Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-09-19 07:21:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.