Joe Hart (Photo credit: Blue Moon 505)
Following another eventful week in world football, here are five things we learned about players, teams and the game in general.
The Football League has loan loopholes
On Friday Ian Holloway gave us all a lesson on the Football League’s loan system. His Crystal Palace side took on a Watford squad that included seven loan signings, six of whom came from the Hornets’ sister clubs Udinese and Granada.
The Football League states clubs can sign just two loan players from any one club and name only five loanees in a match-day squad. However, loan deals with foreign clubs are seen as transfers and therefore have no limitations.
The flawed system clearly needs a re-think.
Lee Cattermole will always have discipline problems
Cattermole made his first league start for Sunderland since November on Saturday and earned a yellow card inside two minutes for a late tackle on Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey.
In the last two seasons Cattermole has amassed 26 yellow cards in 51 appearances with three reds in all competitions. Will he ever learn his lesson?
Neymar spoke too soon
Before the friendly between Brazil and England at Wembley last week Neymar claimed the home side relied too heavily on Wayne Rooney and didn’t have the quality to trouble his side.
However the highly-rated striker was left red-faced when England recorded a famous 2-1 victory in which he missed two golden opportunities to score and failed to influence the game in the way many expected him too.
Joe Hart is human after all
Joe Hart’s performances last season helped Manchester City to the Premier League title but his form has declined this year and been highlighted by costly and embarrassing errors.
Roberto Mancini singled out Hart for blame after his howler against Southampton on Saturday and the Italian also stated that it wasn’t the first time this season Hart had let the side down.
Could it be time for City to bring in some competition for the number one shirt and keep Hart on his toes?
Football is not safe from drug cheats
Although cycling has dominated the news recently when it comes to performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) a report by the Australian government proved that team sports cannot hide from the influence of drug cheats.
The report indicated that individuals and at least one entire team in Rugby League and/or Australian Rules football are suspected of using PEDs. The World Anti-Doping Agency have now turned their attention to the Premier League and criticised the lack of effective drugs testing.
FIFA and UEFA will soon be forced to act and fans should be prepared for a few shocks when they do.
The Fan 