COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: Werder Bremen (h)

A nice sunny evening... just right for Mums and Dads to take the kids to see the Blues take on a champions league qualifier from Germany in our only home friendly. Also, the former players foundation would benefit from our attendance.

On strolling up to the ground, it was obvious that 'The Leaving of Liverpool' was well on the agenda with banners and leaflets imploring all to say NO to Kirkby. On into the ground and the starting line up is revealed; to me, it was a little puzzling across the midfield in who might play where.

As the first half progressed, we got our answer with some excellent joined-up football allowing ball retention that I hope is carried on for real. It seemed that Carsley anchored and Arteta, Cahill and Neville interchanged positions with some purpose. Much pressure and many corners provided us with openings that could have seen us 4 up by half-timme but the timing of Neville, Cahill and Big Vic, plus the elastic reflexes of the keeper left us 0-0 at the break.

The first half I enjoyed and thought there were some good performances: the partnership of Yobo and Lescott was both solid and pacey; the workrate of the midfield ensured good cover for the back four and support for the front two.

The second half in comparision was a bit of a 'hotch potch' due mainly to the substitutions. Jags and Stubbs took over at the heart of the defence and Osman replacing Big Vic. This seemed to unsettle us and within ten mins of the restart we were one down. On the hour mark Breman took off their two inspirational centre midfielders, Diego and Carlos Alberto and we seemed to take heart from that and a good cross from Valente seemed to play pin ball in their box until it fell to Faddy (on for a worried looking Cahill) who produced an instictive finish.

The game meandered a bit then so much so that a couple of youngsters near me had a kip. Two rumours were circulating: one that Baines was in the main stand and the other that VDM was out on the pitch...

Breman then got their first corner and we were all at sea as it was put in at the far post. Some work there for the training ground... Da Silva was on and putting some nice passes about after coming on for Carsley and then when all seemed lost he popped up at the far post to outmuscle his marker and power home Faddy's cross.

Overall, I thought it was a good workout and I wonder if our starting line-up and formation will be the one we see come August 11th with perhaps Baines for Valente? Of the players on show Arteta stood out like a beacon and I thought some good stuff from Yobo, Lescott, Johnson and Neville. I must mention Hibbo as he was strong defensively and he got forward well and put in some very good crosses, one in particular after the move of the game which Cahill should have done better with.

With one more friendly to come and about eight days of training, I see no reason why we can't have a good start to the season. Although I think that a dominant midfielder with the class of an Arteta would help our cause considerably, also I think that James Vaughan will be a big miss up front. Still, roll on the 11th. UP THE BLUES!

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