If only the lad was world class...

If ever there was a game to advertise the merits of the Premier League this was it - two teams crammed full of technical ability basically just going at each other. When watching and enjoying games like this it is easy to overlook the attributes of the players on display especially when we see them making the same things look easy week after week.

As a player plying his trade in the lower leagues I have nothing but admiration for them. Some people might think that those of us at a lower level would be jealous about these top players, but for me and a lot of players who I have spoken to, this is simply not true.

The fact is that these players are the complete package. They are fast, strong, technically gifted and 'game' intelligent. Players who maybe have only one or two of these attributes invariably don't make it to the top level or, like me, don't stay there very long.

I have lost count of the number of times I have heard one player say about another 'if he had pace he would be in the Premier League' or 'If his touch was better he would be in the Premier League'.

I am sure we can all mention some players like this - let me know if you can think of any.

What a lot of people tend to forgot is the work that the elite players put in to their game.

Take Frank Lampard for example. At West Ham he was classed as a good player but now he is 'world class'. How did he achieve this? There has been no secret formula, just hard work.

I know from experience the hours needed to improve aspects of your game or even maintain the attributes that you already have, and to improve to the extent Frank Lampard has is a wonderful achievement.

As someone who one day might like to go into the coaching side of the game, I have started to look at games in a slightly different manner.

The tactical side in particular is an aspect I have been paying a lot of attention to and the game at the Emirates provided plenty of food for thought.

What is becoming clear to me is that the rigid formations of 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 etc, are quickly becoming a thing of the past, especially at the top level. For instance, Manchester United tend to play with a back four, a midfield two and the rest of the attacking four are given license to go and do their own thing, constantly interchanging, playing in "holes" which make them hard to pick up .

It might sound simple but you can only do this if the players in question have an attribute which I mentioned earlier - game intelligence. They are trusted by the manager that they can make the right decisions - ones that will ultimately hurt the opposition.

My rehabilitation from the hamstring injury is coming on well. My puny little hamstrings have never been subjected to so much strengthening work but I am sure it will be well worth it in the end.

I am pestering the physio about bringing forward the date when I can re-join training but, quite sensibly I suppose, he is remaining cautious, especially - as he keeps reminding me - that he is the one who has studied physiotherapy for years, not me!