Around the grounds

As if both to prove that last season wasn't a fluke and to flag up our folly in letting him go, Antoine Sibierski continued his excellent goalscoring form for his new side Wigan on Saturday, netting in his third consecutive game - a sound 3-0 thrashing for the Mackems that ended the honeymoon. And not before time.

His excruciatingly protracted move at last completed, Kieron Dyer enjoyed a fruitful debut for West Ham, helping the Hammers to a 1-0 win at Birmingham. Dyer played a key role too, by all accounts - the Little Waster better not finally come good now he's left us...

If Fat Sam sent Tim Krul on loan to Falkirk to get some experience, then it's certainly working out well. Being offered no protection whatsoever and having to pick the ball out of the net on seven separate occasions is certainly good preparation for a stint playing behind our defence...

Perhaps that's a bit unfair, though, what with Saturday's clean sheet against Villa meaning we've only conceded a single goal in our opening two fixtures. That's thanks in large part to the form of Steven Taylor, rewarded by Steve McLaren with an England call-up for the midweek friendly with Germany (albeit prompted by the absence or withdrawal of several key centre-backs). Congratulations Steven - keep it up, keep your head and caps should follow.