A Tale Of Two Wonderkids

Saturday's NPower League One clash between Tranmere Rovers and Southampton at Prenton Park would have been one that had scouts from all over the country flocking to see two of the hottest properties in the Football League go head-to-head for the first time.

The presence of Tranmere's Dale Jennings and Southampton's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the same field as each other was arguably worth the entrance fee alone and seen as the key battle between two sides who were desperate for the three points for different reasons.

Southampton were looking to keep pace with the league leaders Brighton in their quest for promotion to the Championship whilst Tranmere needed the win or risked losing touch with the sides around them in their battle to avoid relegation to League Two.

Dale Jennings and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain share a joke at Prenton Park

Both Jennings and Chamberlain have hit dizzying heights since debuting for their respective sides earlier in the season. The teenage pair have gained reputations as tricky and pacey forwards who beat defenders for fun, scoring some spectacular goals and gaining admirers from the Premier League along the way.

Jennings, particularly, has attracted widespread attention for his goal against Plymouth on November 13th last year when he ran from the half-way line, beat four men on his way into the box before slotting the winner past David Button in the Pilgrims' goal.

The pre-match hype was focused on both youngsters but it was an old-head, Tranmere captain John Welsh, who got the ball rolling for the hosts with the opening goal in the 13th minute. Hesitation in the Saints defence allowed Welsh to pounce for his third goal of the season and gave Tranmere a priceless lead.

Given that he has been valued at £10m by the press, there has been more pressure on Chamberlain than there is on Jennings to deliver the goods but, it has to be said, his performance at Prenton Park was below par.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain goes into the referee's book

The most notable contribution Chamberlain made in the match was upon a Tranmere player for which he was rightly cautioned. There were occasional signs of danger but nothing more as the 17 year-old failed to make an impact.

Jennings, also, did not have the best of games but he had the last word over his counterpart; scoring a delightful goal from 30 yards out to seal a 2-0 win for Tranmere and add a few more noughts to his value that previously stood at a reported £500,000.

There are striking similarities between the pair in their footballing qualities and maturity yet a vast difference in their valuations. Chamberlain is reportedly worth twenty times more than Jennings despite both being in the same league and of a similar age.

Southampton have proven, in the past, that they can produce international standard players - Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott being the most obvious examples - but that does not necessarily guarantee that Chamberlain is of the same mould.

Tranmere, themselves, have produced quality players though many have not gone on to play for their countries. The likes of Ryan Taylor and Jason Koumas, who have plied their trade in the top tier of English football show that Tranmere have an academy that can bring through players who are worthy of commanding high transfer fees.

Dale Jennings celebrates his goal against Southampton

Given the performances and impact of both players on the game today, it was Jennings who looked more like a £10m player. However, it may be Jennings who leaves his club first given the differing financial situations of Tranmere and Southampton.

The Saints can arguably afford to say no to offers for their young star but Tranmere's relegation fears could see them cashing in on their prize asset sooner rather than later. Relegation to League Two would certainly see the end of Jennings' time at Prenton Park whereas promotion for Southampton would do a lot for their bid to keep Chamberlain away from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.

There is no doubt that both players have the potential to do great things in the game but, perhaps, staying at their current clubs would be the most beneficial move for Jennings and Chamberlain regardless of what happens between now and May.

The Unconvincables

The Beatles once sang that money couldn't buy them love. For Roberto Mancini, money couldn't buy his side a shot on target as Manchester City played out a 0-0 draw away at Arsenal last night. The full-time whistle was met with the chant of "Boring, boring City" from the home faithful that was so loud the TV sound engineers had to muffle it.

As the sides left the field of play, Mancini was seen in deep discussion with Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, who had appeared to take exception to the defensive tactics employed by the Italian. It mattered not to the forty-six year old, who had seen his side take the point he had craved.

Cesc Fabregas makes his feelings known to Roberto Mancini

Although Fabregas has a point - City set up in a 4-5-1 formation leaving Carlos Tevez as the lone striker - Arsenal simply could not break down their opponents for whom Joe Hart, Kolo Toure, Vincent Kompany and Micah Richards epitomised the stereotypical defensive steel so often renowned as being a cornerstone of Italian football.

Mancini was unmoved by the criticism of his side, "It's not important", he said after the game whilst captain Kolo Toure suggested the game had shown City's title credentials: "It's very important to be a good team defensively - strikers win you games, defenders win you titles."

Whilst City's defence, with Toure at the heart, appears to be sound, it is the attack, or lack thereof, that struggled at the Emirates. Tevez was supposed to be up front on his own with support arriving from the five-man midfield but tracked back so much that the visitors might well have been employing Craig Levein's 4-6-0 formation.

Edin Dzeko's arrival puts another problem onto Mancini's plate

With the impending arrival of Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko, the over-reliance on the Argentine may wane somewhat. However, it will also intensify rumours that Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz are on their way out of Eastlands; the former kicking and screaming as he makes a typically dramatic scene as he so often has throughout his career. The retired Togo international isn't afraid to make his feelings known and a recent bust-up with Kolo Toure has all but sealed his fate.

Despite quality attacking additions to his squad, Mancini still appears reluctant to use those players to win big matches. Adam Johnson was benched as Jo was used on the left side of a five-man midfield in an unsuccessful attempt to null the threat of Theo Walcott; David Silva and Mario Balotelli were both injured whilst playing both Gareth Barry and Nigel De Jong as holding midfielders gives a defensive imbalance to the side.

Gareth Barry and Nigel De Jong give the City side a defensive imbalance

Mancini went to The Emirates and set up not to lose the game. Granted, City did not lose but nor did they pose any sort of threat to Fabianski in the Arsenal goal. Henry Winter has quipped that David Seaman was a busier goalkeeper from his position in the TV studio and it is difficult to argue with him.

It is difficult to say that City had their moments in the match because, apart from Tevez fluffing his lines when he ghosted free of his marker from a Barry free-kick and a long-range effort that flew wide from James Milner, they offered nothing whatsoever. It was as if they were afraid to lose but reluctant to try and win. In a Premier League season where the table is so tight, taking points off the sides around you, particularly if you are at the top, is crucial.

Mancini will undoubtedly be happy at stifling a side who so comfortably dispatched of his team in the reverse fixture (though City were a man light for 85 minutes) but if the Sky Blues are to challenge realistically for the title then they must show more attacking endeavour against the rest of the title contenders or face the consequences.