Early signs look good for Israel

I managed to stream the entire 90 minutes of Israel's 2012 qualifying match against Malta, on Iraq Goals of all places. The irony of it. My first impressions of the team under Luis Fernandez team were positive, even if it was against limited opposition.

Under Dror Kashtan, the former incumbent, I'd been left frustrated by his negative tactics with the team never fulfilling its potential, especially when drawn in a weak group. This was just the kind of game that Israel would have made hard work of under him, perhaps nicking a late goal at the death to save their blushes.

But not so under Fernandez, who stood in his technical area throughout, ushering his troops forward until the end. Prior to Tuesday's match against Georgia, the early signs were encouraging. The main thing holding them back now appears to be a top-class striker, although Etay Schechter looked the business against Red Bull Salzburg in the recent Champions League qualifier.

● I got a glimpse of the new Faithfold on Sunday. The club's A and C teams played at The Hive and now I can understand why the first team have kept their new signings under wraps. Josh Gordon and Lorian Madanes have joined Alex Kaye in a new-look team and they looked the business against Hendon United Sports Club A. The club's B team also recorded a victory but Daryl Phillips, the A team assistant-manager who scored a hat-trick, is trying to everyone's feet on the ground. "It was a good start to the campaign, but very early days so there's nothing to get excited about yet."