Friday, March 31, 2017
Mails: When did Arsenal’s decline truly begin?
A lovely Mailbox. Send your thoughts to theeditor@football365.com.
The real turning point for Arsenal
Okay so I didn’t want to be the only person NOT to contribute on our favorite English patient, Arsenal and where did it all go wrong. There was a wonderful quote many years ago from David Dein who, when out for dinner __with Arsene Wenger one night asked him ‘If I gave you 100m pounds what would you do __with it’…..without a second thought Arsene looked him in the eye and said matter-of-factly ‘ I would give it back to you’.
This sums up Arsene. This is the ‘Man from Japan’ who plucked Vieira and Petit out of obscurity, picked up Pires for a song and bought a struggling young Frenchman from Italy and turned him into the world class Thierry Henry. However this is also the man who spent 17.5m on Reyes, 42m on Ozil (is he really that good….consistently) and smashed another 90m on Xhaka (which I think is Latin for yellow card) and Mustafi who is decent but needs time.
Arsene’s strength has always been about picking up obscure talent and turning them into good players. In the past he had the time to do this and he also nicely timed when he sold players. Right now, patience has run out, he cannot seem to pick out any unpolished gems (more full priced cubic zirconias with a fancy band from Elizabeth Duke).
The turning point for me was selling Van Persie to Man Utd for 29m. He was a top player, on top form and to hand your rival such a player too early was madness. What was even more amazing was that he didn’t do anything to replace him and buy a marquee replacement…….
Another key factor to consider these days is that it’s no longer just ‘the big 2’ it’s the ‘fairly large 6’ (not very catchy I know but you get the idea…..) which means you can’t just finish 2nd any more, then it used to be top 4 by default but with 6 clubs it just doesn’t fit and hurts when you miss out……
Ian ‘uses inverted commas way too much’ Williams – LFC YNWA
Failing to see it
I’ve just finished Sarah Winterburn’s article about modern football and I felt the need to write in with a point I disagree about.
It was the part about the Huddersfield fans that I disagree with. I don’t see anything remotely racist about that abuse. It’s not pleasant, but not racist either.
Raheem Sterling is getting the same abuse as Pablo Zabaleta, who is white and Argentinian, and John Stones, who is white and English. I would put down “hitting him early” to him being fast, namely; he’ll be past you in a flash, so better get him early.
Later in the article Paul Ince is getting the same abuse as Robbie Savage, who is white and Welsh, and Chris Sutton who is white and English. I would put down calling him a “court jester” to him being an idiot.
I’m all for the campaign against racism, but I’m just failing to see any racism here.
Adam G, Tokushima, Japan
The response(s) to Mark
Let’s be fair Mark,
No one set of fans are angels. I in no way condone the homophobic chants against Chelsea but every club is guilty of this. Homophobia aside, to suggest that Liverpool are any worse than any other club is ridiculous.
The amount of chants that get aimed at Liverpool fans from opposition can be just as bad so in that sense your argument carries no merit. “Bin dippers” and “Feed the Scousers” are sung with gusto at Liverpool from opposition fans, ranging from Sunderland to Chelsea fans and that is also interpreted as in your words “epic Bantz.” Fowler was wrong. Homophobia is wrong. Nobody is debating that. The singing of “rent boys” at your fans is deplorable and I constantly find myself angry with fellow fans who go down that disgusting route.
What I take chagrin with is your “poor Chelsea” view. The outlook of blaming the “pure thuggery” of Liverpool fans regarding Heysel is correct in the sense of what it caused. The death of innocent football fans. Spare me the “banned the country from Europe for five years.” If you’re going to take a stand about morality, at least support your stand about what really counts, human life.
Regards,
Miguel Sanchez, LFC, Eire.
I’ve just read Mark Kelly’s letter, well Mark if you are going to get on your high horse about homophobic abuse lets also talk about the continuing anti-semitic at Stamford Bridge I witness year after year when visiting with Spurs.
You complain about a media blackout, well this topic is another that gets ignored and takes place slightly more often than twice a year.
If you are going to condemn one form of abuse then you need to be consistent and condemn them all, or it is just “bantz” when it concerns Chelsea fans and Tottenham.
It’s frankly about time all forms of abuse were tackled rather than the look the other way attitude which persists throughout football.
ST, COYS
With regard to Mark Kelly’s mail on ‘Chelsea Fans Deserve Sympathy Too…’ I get the impression Mark has some issue with Liverpool fans, have they invaded your personal space, and have you chosen to be offended, do you need a hug?!
For reference Mark, all football clubs have d**kheads as supporters, even Chelsea (some even have a d**khead as manager!!!).
I know my team Liverpool have more than their fair share. The specific chants you refer to are distasteful and have no place in life never mind football stadiums but in the main but they do go both ways and should be stamped out but this is a wider society issue and not just a football issue. It also doesn’t help when the Rag, sorry Red Tops and Sky Sports take every opportunity to remind ‘fans’ of teams they need to dislike or even hate the opposing team.
Nick Dublin
Football without fans
In true international break fashion, I’d like to consider a totally unrealistic, yet terrifyingly plausible, alternative footballing reality. While the Wenger in/out argument raged on last week after the West Brom defeat there was one agreement that stood firm throughout – there can be no football without fans. But actually, and a few leaps are taken here of course, could there be?
Okay, now picture this… Through a combination of killing each other off in the stands, stressing themselves into straitjackets and generally melting out of existence though a life of sterile repetition, Arsenal fans become a dying breed. The board see ever increasing numbers of empty seats at the Emirates and decide action must be taken.
Based on the obviously sound financial logic that ticket sales revenue is relatively irrelevant anyway, it does what any other corporate behemoth would – It switches to a far more profitable revenue stream, in total disregard of the common man. All the seats are ripped out [bar the required away end allocation, damn rules] and in their place magnificent digital advertising boards are installed throughout the stadium. The executive boxes are tripled in size to accommodate their new corporate supporters, who bask in the glow of the newly nicknamed ‘Times Square Stadium’, chuckling self-importantly to each other about massive global exposure.
With now vastly unparalleled match day revenue, Arsenal Football Club is by far the richest in the league, able to buy all the best players and pay them completely unmatchable wages – Thus keeping native and global neutral viewership high though displays of exciting, top-level football and a general desire to see the all-powerful ultra-mercenaries defeated.
In due time, the perceived and widely criticised lack of a post-Wenger contingency plan is debunked in the unveiling of Kroenke’s greatest investment yet – Wenger eternal – Yes, he’s had the Futurama quirk, the ‘head in a jar’ creation, made a reality… Therefore guaranteeing at least 4th place and a spot in the last 16 of the champions league for eternity, onwards.
‘You’ve got no fans’ chant the away supporters, but their mocking jeers fall on rich, uncaring ears…
Joe, AFC, Manchester [Now, isn’t that a fun future to ponder going into the weekend?!]
Questions for the top six, questions for the bottom five, and now questions for the middle nine
Everton – Where do they finish? Their season could finish in the Champions League or, just as unlikely, out of Europe. They’ve got a fixture list that makes the answer a little uncertain.
What’s Lukaku going to be like? He’s been banging them in but he’s also not signing a new contract. Does he keep it up knowing he might be gone next year?
Do the youngsters get more chances? Holgate’s definitely going to get games for unfortunate reasons but what of the rest? Will Calvert-Lewin, Lookman and Davies continue to be used to phase out Valencia, Mirallas and Barry?
West Brom – At what point do the deck chairs come out? They will probably find it difficult to leave 8th; at what point do they stop caring?
Will Rondon Score? There was a time this site was singing his praises. Unfortunately he hasn’t scored this year and he’s in danger of losing his place to Robson-Kanu. Will he find his goal scoring touch again or will he be in danger of being a forgotten man by next season?
Stoke – Will they get back to playing well at set pieces? They’ve conceded more from set pieces than at any other point since returning to the Premier League this shouldn’t happen to a team that had Pulis in their DNA for so long.
Will the style come back? Speaking of the Pulis, the reason he left was so they would start playing stylish football. They did that last year, even in games against the likes of Man United, but this year they’ve reverted to parking the bus and hoping for the best. Their usual top 10 spot looks secure; will they become a bit more all action?
Southampton -Who will they discover next? It’s almost time for the annual fire sale to Liverpool but it’s also clear that Southampton have stayed at the top by having a supply line that produces more than they lose. Jack Stephens has already stepped up in defence but is there some other 18-year-old we haven’t heard about yet who’s going to be a major player for Liverpool by 2020 or sold by Jose by 2021?
Bournemouth – What was the point of Ibe and Wilshere? OK it’s a bit harsh on Jack, but he was expected to start a lot more games. He’s played a lot from the bench which won’t help his chances of securing a new and bigger gig and I thought some genius said Ibe would be a better player than Sterling. I’m still waiting and there ain’t long to go this season.
West Ham – Will the team keep Slaven in a job? When the owners start apologising to the fans and saying the team needs to do more you know you’re in trouble. Slaven knows his team has to get it right soon or he might not be in the job in six months.
Burnley – Are they ever going to win away? Middlesborough, Everton, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth. That’s two teams that need points at home to stay up, a team who don’t lose at home and a team playing their last game in front of their home fans. Good luck guys.
Watford – Has Mazzarri done enough? The last guy had them safe around February and got up to 45 points, a point tally they will achieve only by winning half their games from now till year end. Are his facial expressions during games going to be enough to keep the Pozzo family from getting rid?
Leicester – How long can this new Manager bounce go? They’ve won every game since Shakespeare took over can they win enough to get back into the top 10?
Will they win the champions league ? – Well they are still there can the fairy tale continue?
Timi
MUFC
Big Weekend‘s little brother
Leicester City-Stoke City. After the Merseyside derby, the most intriguing game of the round. Before the international break, Stoke played well against Manchester City and Chelsea, but those were mainly rearguard actions. Now they’re up against a team that’s on their own level, but difficult to beat at home, and have to be ready to attack. Does Mark Hughes return to the usual 4-2-3-1, or stay with both Jonathan Walters and Saido Berahino, matching Leicester’s 4-4-2 with one of this own? For the Foxes, Craig Shakespeare is trying to join Pep, José, Guus, and Carlo as Premier League managers who won their first four games. He may have to do without Shinji Okazaki, who scored for Japan in their latest qualifier and then took a very long flight home. with a glut of games coming before the big one against Atlético, when and where does he start rotating his squad?
Stat: Leicester City have been fouled fewer times than any other team, 8.0 per game.
Swansea City-Middlesbrough. Boro desperately need a win, but a loss puts them in a near-impossible position. With points to be had in upcoming games against Hull (A), Burnley (H), and Sunderland (H), Steve Agnew may play it safe to start with. But Swansea’s defence is weak, so the aggressive approach has its merits too. So many decisions in the attack: Alvaro Negredo or Rudy Gestede? Adama Traoré against Kyle Naughton and/or Martin Olsson? Cristhian Stuani? Stewart Downing? Swansea were much too passive in their loss at Bournemouth, and Paul Clement has to recapture the energy of the previous weeks. Does he stay 4-5-1 with Gylfi Sigurdsson coming inside from the left, or put someone on that wing to challenge the weak point Antonio Barragán? Fernando Llorente will get the chance to go up against a side not the best in aerial defence.
Stat: Middlebrough’s 9.1 shots/game is the lowest since 2012-13, but from 2005-6 to 2012-13 at least one team in the league had an average equal to or lower than 9.1.
Hull City-West Ham. Managers in opposite situations. Even if Hull go down, management would love to keep Marco Silva. But Slaven Bilic has more or less been told his job depends on the next few games, with Roberto Mancini repeatedly rumoured to be pricing claret-and-blue scarves. With West Ham’s central defence severely depleted, the question is whether Silva will try a 3-5-2 with both Oumar Niasse and Abel Hernández, the duo that devastated Swansea in the final half hour. Both managers have to decide how to replace their midfield anchors, the suspended Tom Huddlestone and the injured Pedro Obiang. Is Kamil Grosicki’s creative potential more important right now than his lack of end product? Andy Carroll has been unable to shake his markers in the last three games, and Michail Antonio is out. Robert Snodgrass, against his old club, will be on the spot.
Stat: Very surprisingly, this season Hull City have played more minutes in close games (with the teams separated by no more than one goal) than any other side. Leicester City are last in this category.
Peter G, Pennsylvania, USA
Where is St Mary’s again?
Southampton played 12 games in the 39 days between 28 December and 4 February. In the 55 (FIFTY-FIVE for Teleprinter nostalgics) days since, we have played just 4. All away from home. Saints last home game was on the 4th of February, 8 long weeks ago. On Saturday, April Fool’s day, we will all hopefully remember how to get to the stadium in time for the big local derby with Bournemouth.
However, I guess, after a fashion, that we have had a winter break, although a little smoothing of the fixture list would nonetheless have been appreciated.
Rob, London
The Championship
For those who haven’t been following Newcastle sit on top of the championship, a point above Brighton and 7 above Huddersfield Town (they have a game in hand).
Its a shame that one of those teams has to go into the play-offs, they’ve each been on top at some point and played excellent football.
Its a been a tough season and thats still unpredictable as it reaches its end.
The PFMs won’t be happy about the prospect that a german might be winning the championship but David Wagner and his Huddersfield team still have an chance of doing it. They’ve already gone on long winning streaks before and I wouldn’t put it past them doing it again. David Wagner was rumoured to be joining Liverpools coaching staff as he managed Dortmunds reserve team while Klopp was still at Dortmund. He does remind me a bit of Klopp, wears a baseball cap, has a beard and glasses but its mostly the mental attacking and awful defence that does it. I genuinely believe hes a top manager and will be at a much bigger club sooner rather than later.
Chris Houghton’s Brighton side have looked pretty solid all season. I’ll be very happy to see Brighton promoted, the fans seem to be elated at the thought of going up and I’ve always thought of Chris Houghton as one of footballs nice guys. He has won it before but it would be nice for him to be in the premier league without having to deal with the rotund Mike Ashley.
Newcastle haven’t had it easy this time. The championship is much changed from the last time they were involved. Theres a lot more money and professionalism involved with clubs going after the premier league riches. Newcastle have been extremely fortunate to have Rafa Benitez in charge. He added a tremendous sense of optimism to the campaign and seems to be building a squad that will be competive for some time. There was the inevitable trouble with Ashley and Benitez. A failed transfer window and the usual penny pinching from Mike Ashley might see Benitez leave even if they get promoted.
On a side note; Leeds seem secure of a play off place, well done to Gary Monk!
Dev LFC
Klopp won’t blame Southgate for Lallana injury
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp does not blame England boss Gareth Southgate for Adam Lallana’s injury but he is not happy about losing his key midfielder for the Merseyside derby.
Lallana sustained a thigh injury during the win over Lithuania but still managed to play all 90 minutes, having completed just over an hour of the friendly meeting __with Germany four days previously.
Klopp has no issue __with Southgate, who called the Liverpool manager this week to explain his decision to field Lallana in the World Cup qualifier at Wembley.
However, he felt the 28-year-old did not need to feature in Dortmund just three days after the intense Premier League encounter with top-four rivals Manchester City.
“I think it is absolutely normal to have contact with the manager of the national team,” said Klopp.
“It is not about appreciating (the call) it is about the normal situation. We both share players.
“Of course I was not happy – someone said I was relaxed about the situation but I could not be less relaxed about this, but it is not about blaming Gareth Southgate.
“I was not happy that he played on Wednesday but it is not my decision and I respect 100 per cent the decisions of other managers because they have to respect my decisions, too.
“He (Lallana) made the line-up (against Germany) and he loves football that much he obviously didn’t say, ‘I should maybe wait another day’.
“I really think we could handle these situations better if we work together.
“As long as we do not work together we will have these situations all the time.”
Lies, damned lies, and loads of Prem statistics
Who is your club’s most prolific creator? And who is most adept at converting said chances? Who is your best tackler or dribbler? Who makes the most costly mistakes? Who is your club’s best, erm…toucher…?
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to answer the questions that absolutely nobody is asking.
All statistics are per 90 minutes unless stated otherwise. And players must have played a minimum of 600 Premier League minutes to qualify.
Arsenal
Touches
Santi Cazorla (101.05)
Tackles
Francis Coquelin (3.76)
Chances created
Mesut Ozil (2.94)
Dribbles completed
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (3.8)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Olivier Giroud (32%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Petr Cech, Nacho Monreal and Granit Xhaka (all 2)
Logical conclusion
– Turns out Alexis Sanchez is rubbish. He might be leading in some metrics – ‘goals’ and ‘assists’, whatever they are – but Arsenal would clearly be fine without him.
Bournemouth
Touches
Andrew Surman (76.63)
Tackles
Dan Gosling (3.44)
Chances created
Jordon Ibe (1.73)
Dribbles completed
Jordon Ibe (3.75)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Charlie Daniels (27.27%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Simon Francis (5)
Logical conclusion
– Jamie Redknapp was right all along.
Burnley
Touches
Joey Barton (61.79)
Tackles
Joey Barton (3.72)
Chances created
Steven Defour (1.99)
Dribbles completed
Andre Gray/Steven Defour(0.99)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Andre Gray (20%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Ben Mee (3)
Logical conclusion
– No wonder Joey Barton thinks N’Golo Kante is overrated. Also, the idea of Andre Gray almost completing one full dribble before tripping over his own shoelaces every 90 minutes is hilarious to me and me alone.
Chelsea
Touches
Cesc Fabregas (109.83)
Tackles
N’Golo Kante (3.76)
Chances created
Cesc Fabregas (3.97)
Dribbles completed
Eden Hazard (4.94)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Gary Cahill (26.67%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
David Luiz/Gary Cahill (2)
Logical conclusion
– Cesc Fabregas is a damn hero.
???? "At first we thought Conte was too demanding…now its paying off"
– Cesc Fabregas pic.twitter.com/5TfP3qQTdi
— ItalianFootballTV (@IFTVofficial) March 30, 2017
Crystal Palace
Touches
Jason Puncheon (66.25)
Tackles
Andros Townsend (2.81)
Chances created
Jason Puncheon (2.01)
Dribbles completed
Wilfried Zaha (4.22)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
James Tomkins (25%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Steve Mandanda, Scott Dann and Joe Ledley (all 2)
Logical conclusion
– Hands up those who expected Andros Townsend to lead the way in terms of tackling?
Everton
Touches
Morgan Schneiderlin (86.84)
Tackles
Idrissa Gueye (4.79)
Chances created
Ross Barkley (2.76)
Dribbles completed
Yannick Bolasie (3.24)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Romelu Lukaku (26.25%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Maarten Stekelenburg (3)
Logical conclusion
– Everton’s midfield, it’s better than yours.
Hull
Touches
Ahmed Elmohamady (75.77)
Tackles
David Meyler (2.5) – Jake Livermore was on 2.8
Chances created
Adama Diomande (1) – Robert Snodgrass was on 2.37
Dribbles completed
Adama Diomande (1.69) – Harry Maguire is second, having completed 1.15 dribbles. What a guy.
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Oumar Niasse (30%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Eldin Jakupovic (3)
Logical conclusion
– Marco Silva deserves a knighthood if he keeps Hull up.
Leicester
Touches
Danny Drinkwater (80.18)
Tackles
Wilfred Ndidi (4.38)
Chances created
Marc Albrighton (1.89)
Dribbles completed
Demarai Gray (3)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Jamie Vardy (22.22%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Wes Morgan (2)
Logical conclusion
– Wilfred Ndidi is the epitome of the bad guy all the girls want.
Ndidi outdoing Kante's legacy.
— Olly (@Giroudesquee) March 18, 2017
Liverpool
Touches
Jordan Henderson (102.96)
Tackles
Jordan Henderson (3.74)
Chances created
Philippe Coutinho (2.65)
Dribbles completed
Sadio Mane (2.68)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Sadio Mane (21.43%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Loris Karius, Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino (all 2)
Logical conclusion
– Steven Gerrard would be ever so proud of his successor. But what the f*** is Roberto Firmino doing?
Manchester City
Touches
Fernandinho (88.7)
Tackles
Pablo Zabaleta (3.6)
Chances created
Kevin De Bruyne (3.27)
Dribbles completed
Sergio Aguero (3.14)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Leroy Sane (21.43%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
John Stones (4)
Logical conclusion
– See, it’s not Claudio Bravo’s fault at all. Bloody John Stones.
Manchester United
Touches
Ander Herrera (101.44)
Tackles
Marouane Fellaini (3.27)
Chances created
Henrikh Mkhitaryan/Juan Mata (2.64)
Dribbles completed
Paul Pogba (2.44)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Juan Mata (16.67%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Chris Smalling (3)
Logical conclusion
– I definitely, absolutely, without a doubt predicted that Juan Mata would prosper under Jose Mourinho.
Middlesbrough
Touches
Antonio Barragan (71.29)
Tackles
Fabio (3.37)
Chances created
Gaston Ramirez (1.77)
Dribbles completed
Adama Traore (8)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Cristhian Stuani (19.05%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
George Friend/Victor Valdes (3)
Logical conclusion
– Adama Traore is a beautiful thing that absolutely has to be loved and cherished.
If someone can successfully channel Adama Traore's pace and directness, he could be dangerous
— Football Review (@FootballReview4) March 19, 2017
Southampton
Touches
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (89.57)
Tackles
Oriol Romeu/Sofiane Boufal (3.46)
Chances created
Dusan Tadic (2.64)
Dribbles completed
Sofiane Boufal (6.56)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Manolo Gabbiadini (23.53%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Nine players (1)
Logical conclusion
– It’s nice of Claude Puel to ensure that his players share the burden of making mistakes in defence.
Stoke
Touches
Charlie Adam (70.55)
Tackles
Geoff Cameron (3.37)
Chances created
Xherdan Shaqiri (2.25)
Dribbles completed
Ramadan Sobhi (2.4)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Joe Allen (17.65%) – Bojan was on 30%.
Errors leading to shots (total)
Ryan Shawcross and Charlie Adam (2)
Logical conclusion
– Of Charlie Adam’s 70.55 touches per 90 minutes, 20 are mistimed tackles, 50 are shots from outside the box, and 0.55 are, apparently, errors leading to shots.
Sunderland
Touches
Steven Pienaar (60) – Patrick van Aanholt was on 60.9.
Tackles
Didier Ndong (2.44)
Chances created
Adnan Januzaj (1.91)
Dribbles completed
Adnan Januzaj (3.2)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Jermain Defoe (21.21%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Vito Mannone (3)
Logical conclusion
– If anyone remains confused as to how Sunderland are bottom of the league, just remember that Steven Pienaar has their most touches per 90 minutes.
Swansea
Touches
Angel Rangel (87.05)
Tackles
Jay Fulton (4.03)
Chances created
Gylfi Sigurdsson (2.22)
Dribbles completed
Leroy Fer (1.39) – Modou Barrow was on 1.88.
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Fernando Llorente (26.19%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Lukasz Fabianski (4)
Logical conclusion
– Breaking news: Swansea would already be relegated were it not for Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fernando Llorente. And Jay Fulton.
Players to win most points for their club this season
???????? Costa: +13
???????? Agüero: +11
???????? Zlatan: +11
???????? Kane: +11
???????? Alli: +10
???????? Llorente: +9 pic.twitter.com/GXK4HLFUZC— FourFourTweet (@FourFourTweet) March 27, 2017
Tottenham
Touches
Ben Davies (84.47)
Tackles
Mousa Dembele (3.16)
Chances created
Christian Eriksen (3.05)
Dribbles completed
Mousa Dembele (3.51)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Harry Kane (27.54%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Hugo Lloris (6)
Logical conclusion
– If only there was some sort of award, perhaps a weekly one, that I could bestow upon Mousa Dembele.
Watford
Touches
Jose Holebas (67.71)
Tackles
Valon Behrami (3.28)
Chances created
Tom Cleverley (1.85)
Dribbles completed
Nordin Amrabat (2.76)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Troy Deeney (26.47%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Sebastian Prodl (5)
Logical conclusion
– It turns out that the answer to those Tom Cleverley questions was: ‘Watford’s top chance creator’
West Brom
Touches
Chris Brunt (56.37)
Tackles
James McClean (3.75)
Chances created
Matt Phillips (1.49)
Dribbles completed
Matt Phillips (2.16)
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Gareth McAuley (37.5%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Gareth McAuley and Darren Fletcher (2)
Logical conclusion
– If you don’t love Tony Pulis eternally after reading the statistic about Chris Brunt’s touches per 90 minutes, you never will.
West Ham
Touches
Manuel Lanzini (69.27) – Dimitri Payet was on 71.74.
Tackles
Pedro Obiang (3.16)
Chances created
Sofiane Feghouli (1.68) – Dimitri Payet was on 4.4.
Dribbles completed
Michail Antonio (2.68) – Dimitri Payet was on 2.8.
Shot conversion rate (overall)
Andre Ayew (21.05%)
Errors leading to shots (total)
Aaron Cresswell (4)
Logical conclusion
– Let’s hope West Ham understand that they no longer have Dimitri Payet.
Koeman unhappy with Ireland, O’Neill and McCarthy
Everton boss Ronald Koeman has accused his Republic of Ireland counterpart Martin O’Neill of “not protecting” James McCarthy.
The Dutchman read out a prepared statement about the player’s hamstring problem on Friday.
Koeman also said McCarthy “needs to take responsibility” __with regard to the situation that has left the midfielder ruled out of Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Liverpool.
After going into the international break having missed Everton’s last two games because of a hamstring complaint, McCarthy was named in the Republic’s starting line-up for their World Cup qualifier against Wales last Friday, only to then be forced to withdraw having pulled up just before kick-off.
Koeman, who was at loggerheads __with O’Neill earlier this season over McCarthy’s use by the Republic after suffering injury, was asked about the matter on Friday at his press conference to preview the Liverpool match.
He had prepared for such a question and read from a sheet of paper, saying: “James had an injury when he reported for Ireland duty last week.
“Our medical team made the Ireland medical team aware of this, of course. Everton’s medical team advised extreme caution, not only due to the current injury but due to previous injuries too, and the assessment by the Ireland medical team was that it would be a high risk for James to play against Wales.
“But, of course, James has a strong desire to play for his country. So, when asked if he was fit to play, he said he felt he was fit, and he was selected to start the game by the Ireland manager who, in my opinion, in this instance was not protecting the player.
“Clearly James was not fit to play. He had trained only for two days with Ireland and he broke down during the warming up.
“He played only one game from the start in 2017, and he did not play for three weeks before the Wales game.
“In my opinion, he would need at least one full week of training sessions with the team to be declared fit.
“I spoke to James, and he needs to take responsibility of this. But it is not the first time.”
Mourinho apologises to Schweini; ‘regrets’ his actions
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho regrets the way he treated Bastian Schweinsteiger and apologised to the midfielder before his switch to the Chicago Fire.
What had long felt an inevitable exit was confirmed last week, __with the 32-year-old swapping Old Trafford for Major League Soccer.
Schweinsteiger largely flattered to deceive at United after arriving in 2015, but the World Cup winner had precious little chance to turn things around once frozen out by Mourinho the following summer.
The former Germany midfielder dropped so far down the pecking order that the club even wrote him off as an asset in their accounts, only for him to make a surprise return from the cold.
Schweinsteiger made four appearances after being brought back into the first team in late October, but was last week granted a move to the United States – a deal Mourinho could not stand in the way of having accepted he mistreated the midfielder.
“He’s in the category of players that I feel sorry for something that I did to him,” Mourinho said.
“I don’t want to speak about him as a player, I don’t want to speak as I buy or not to buy. I want to speak about him as a professional, as a human being.
“The last thing I told him before he left ‘I was not right __with you once, I have to be right with you now’
“So when he was asking me to let him leave I had to say ‘yes, you can leave’ because I did it once, I cannot do it twice.
“So I feel sorry for the first period with him, he knows that. I am happy that he knows because I told him.
“I will miss a good guy, a good professional, a good influence in training – a very good influence.
“I could not stop him to go even knowing that until the end of the season we have so many matches and we would probably need him for a few matches or a few periods.
“I had to let him go and now publicly wish him and his wife a very happy life in Chicago.”
Asked if he regrets the way he treated him, Mourinho said: “Yeah, I do.”
Mourinho recently said that United signed some players before his arrival that he would never have given the go ahead to, but the manager would not be drawn on whether Schweinsteiger was one of those.
Such acquisitions meant Mourinho arrived at a club carrying a bloated squad and the Portuguese now accepts the German midfielder should not have been the fall guy.
“I would let him be in the squad,” he said. “I knew that at that moment we had too many players.
“If you remember at that time, we had many players in these doubtful situations and we still had (Morgan) Schneiderlin and (Memphis) Depay, and we had Andreas Pereira, Tyler Blackett and James Wilson.
“We had a huge squad in the beginning but after knowing him as a professional, as a person, the way he was behaving and respecting my decisions as a manager.
“Yes, I regret and no problem for me to admit it and he knows that because I told him.”
Cheeky Punt: Arsenal the only top six side to lose
Liverpool v Everton
The Toffeemen have not won at Anfield since 1999, when Steps were running things in the music world and Rolf Harris was still getting TV gigs. Indeed, the Blues have not won any of the last 13 Merseyside derbies and look up against it here big time. __with Romelu Lukaku in their ranks they are not without hope but their rivals from across Stanley Park look the bet here to claim three points and edge ever closer to that coveted top four finish.
Betting: Liverpool to win and both teams to score at 49/20 (Bet Stars)
Burnley v Tottenham
Spurs rarely fare well at Turf Moor, while Burnley sit sixth in a Premier League home table this season. Tottenham are the betting favourites but ask yourself, would you honestly smash them __with your last £100 in the world on Saturday? Thought not.
Betting: Both teams to score at draw at 9/2 (Bet Victor)
Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Talking of good home records, Chelsea have won their ten last Premier League games at Stamford Bridge. It’s the type of form that has helped them absolutely p*** the league this season and they are 41 points better off than Saturday’s opponents. No Eden Hazard? No problem; Diego Costa, Willian and Pedro will combine to get Chelsea over the line again.
Betting: Chelsea to win 2-0 at 11/2 (Bet Victor)
Hull City v West Ham
Hull played brilliantly down in east London earlier this season and really should have won against a Hammers side that rode their luck something rotten at times. Hull have won five and drawn one of six home matches under Marco Silva and ‘overs’ looks the way to go here.
Betting: Over 2.5 goals at 10/11 (Hills)
Leicester City v Stoke City
Put simply, Leicester look just about the best 11/10 shot in sport this weekend. They’ve been absolutely f**king brilliant since pie-ing Claudio Ranieri off, racking up four straight wins against Liverpool, Hull, Sevilla and West Ham. Stoke have not scored in any of their last three away matches, and this one looks a home banker.
Betting: Leicester to win at 11/10 (Bet Stars)
Manchester United v West Brom
The Red Devils are still in the mix to finish in the top four but let’s have it right, if they’d have been more clinical in home games such as this, games they were heavy odds on to win but ended up drawing despite dominating, they might still be in the title race. United face a hectic end to the season but should be well rested and can win this so long as they nullify the Baggies obvious threat from set pieces.
Betting: Manchester United to win to nil at 21/20 (Bet Victor)
Watford v Sunderland
The bookmakers feel it is already too late for Sunderland to save themselves, with the Black Cats now crazy odds on for the drop. They face a Watford side who have won just three of their last 16 Premier League and who are leaking goals. Jermain Defoe, who continues to defy old Father Time, looks a punt here to score at better than 2/1.
Betting: Defoe to score at 21/10 (Paddy Power)
Southampton v Bournemouth
Both teams have been scoring goals of late and despite the fact that Saints will be without new cult striker Manolo Gabbiadini, punters who back both teams to score won’t go far wrong. Saints have kept just two clean sheets in their last 11 league games so expect to see plenty of onion bag action.
Betting: Both teams to score at 4/5 (Betfred/Stan James)
Swansea v Middlesbrough
The Swans took a punt a few months ago by appointing Paul Clement but it has paid off royally. The big question now is whether Boro have left it too late to ship out Aitor Karanka and put their own house in order? Survival is definitely not beyond them but a defeat here would make it infinitely more difficult. Swansea have won their last three at the Liberty but this reeks of draw.
Betting: Draw at 12/5 (Paddy Power)
Arsenal v Manchester City
It’s looking grim for Arsenal. ‘Wenger Out’ banners are popping up at music festivals in Miami, such is the clamour now for the great man to down tools and give someone else a go in north London. The Gunners are on a wretched run and were smashed 3-1 by West Brom last time out. West f**king Brom! If Man City bring their ‘A’ game here there’s surely only going to be one winner. Pep Guardiola’s men won 2-1 at the Etihad earlier in the season and Leroy Sane, Sergio Aguero and friends could have a field day against an Arsenal defence that is looking more listless and tires with every passing week.
Betting: Manchester City to win at 11/8 (Hills)
Degsy Bilton
Hughes: No reason to disbelieve Berahino’s claim
Stoke manager Mark Hughes insists the club knew Saido Berahino’s stance on his drugs ban from the outset after the former West Brom striker claimed his drink was spiked.
Berahino served an eight-week suspension earlier this season after failing a drugs test, which he has now said was due to his drink being spiked in a nightclub.
The 23-year-old did not play for West Brom between September and January, when he joined Stoke at the end of the transfer window for a deal worth £15million.
In an interview __with BBC Football Focus, Berahino also said “no-one at the club (West Brom) protected me”, that he had become depressed and ended up hating being at the club he joined as an 11-year-old.
Hughes said: “That’s always been Saido’s stance and take on how the drug was in his system. There’s no reason to disbelieve him.
“We knew from the beginning when we first began that was always his stance, he’s never wavered from that. Maybe people will understand that happens in this day and age and a lot have been victims.
“There’s no reason to disbelieve him, it can happen.”
Meanwhile, West Brom boss Tony Pulis refused to be drawn on Berahino’s claim the club did not support him. He insists the Albion academy product is entitled to his opinion and thinks people will come to their own conclusions over the matter.
”We all have our opinions,” said Pulis. ”I’ve got nothing else to say. Saido is a human being, he’s got a right to air his opinion but I’d rather talk about West Bromwich Albion and the players here.
”I don’t want to go into it, honestly. It’s nothing. If Saido has an opinion Saido is entitled to that opinion. If he wants to say that and that’s his view, that’s fine.
”People have got to make a decision. They’ve got to decide. They’re all sensible enough to know whether we did look after him or not. I will leave it to them.
”Saido has got to do what Saido has got to do. It’s nothing to do __with me.”
Berahino’s turbulent time at West Brom was brought to an end in January when he signed a five-and-a-half-year deal at Stoke, who had tried to sign him during previous transfer windows.
The striker had threatened to go on strike in a rant on Twitter after Albion turned down a bid from Tottenham in the summer of 2015. When he returned to the team his form dipped but Premier League clubs continued to be interested in signing him.
A move did not materialise though until this season and both managers now agree it is time to move on from the matter.
Hughes said: ”We keep on trying to move on. It’s just a little bit more meat on the bone from my point of view from the actual situation and how it came about to be honest.
“It happened in the past, we’re all moving on. He’s playing again, doing well.”
While Pulis also wanted to look forward, adding: ”He had six months of a contract left, Stoke paid £15million to take him, he wanted to go and we were delighted with the deal. Finished. Let’s move on.”
Berahino has played six times for Stoke since his move to the bet365 Stadium, including a substitute appearance against West Brom at The Hawthorns last month when he was booed by home fans in a 1-0 win for Albion.
Conte issues response to Hazard’s £100m Real links
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte believes it is normal for suitors to try to unsettle players, as Real Madrid bid to prise Eden Hazard from the Premier League leaders.
Hazard was this week linked __with a £100million move to Real, whose head coach Zinedine Zidane is the Belgium playmaker’s idol.
Conte says it is flattering for his Chelsea players to have admirers, but insists Hazard is happy at Stamford Bridge.
“The only thing I can say is Eden is a Chelsea player, our player,” the Italian said.
“We are happy __with him. He is happy with us. I don’t see a problem.
“It’s normal, it’s logical in this part of the season, to start rumours about our player… to try to create difficulty in the mind of the players.
“We have great experience to face this situation. Also my players have this experience.
“If Chelsea players are requested by the other teams, it means they’re doing very well.
“I’m very happy. It means I’m doing a great job.”
Hazard is under contract until June 2020.
Chelsea captain John Terry, who has not made a Premier League start since September, is out of contract this summer.
Rumours have begun of defender Terry being offered another one-year contract extension.
Conte, who again repeated that contracts and transfers would be addressed at the end of the season and his players should focus on the present, said: “For every situation, there will be the right moment to face. The club is working very well to solve many situations.
“I like to talk about John for this season. He’s helping a lot. I repeat: he’s doing a great job.
“John knows my thoughts about him and I think the most important thing is this.”
Chelsea are 10 points clear entering this weekend’s fixtures and with 10 games remaining.
The Blues play Sam Allardyce’s Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and need 21 more points to seal the title.
Conte added: “I think we deserve to win, but there are 10 games to go. For sure our opponents don’t want to accept that Chelsea is champions.
“Football is full of surprises. In my experience as a footballer, I won a lot, but I think I lost more.
“For this reason, I want to keep our feet on the ground. It’s very important, this.”
Chelsea are also in the FA Cup semi-final, where they play Tottenham on April 22.
Conte added: “We want to build something important for the present and the future. I think we have just started (on) our path.”
Chelsea were this week linked with Alexis Sanchez, whose Arsenal contract has a year to run this summer.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, in response, said there was only “one team in London”.
Conte, who does not discuss transfer targets, said: “In London there are many teams. I like to listen to the other coaches but, for me, I prefer always to have great respect for all the players from all the clubs.”
Chelsea will hope to extend their club-record run of 13 successive home wins and Hazard could feature, after missing the win at Stoke prior to the international break and duty with Belgium.
Conte, though, could opt to preserve him for next Wednesday’s duel with Manchester City.
Asked about Hazard’s readiness to play against Palace, Conte said: “I’m confident, but I’m confident not only to play, but to play really good.”
Pochettino laughs off Lamela exit talk
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has laughed off suggestions Erik Lamela is looking to leave Tottenham this summer.
Lamela will travel to Barcelona on Saturday for surgery as he looks to kick-start his recovery from a hip injury, which has kept the winger out since October.
Pochettino admitted in January that Lamela had grown frustrated on the sidelines and even allowed him to have treatment at his former club Roma in a bid to reinvigorate the 25-year-old.
Spurs have confirmed Lamela will not feature again this season, __with reports suggesting the Argentinian may have played his last game for the club and is seeking a return to Italy.
“That was so strange to hear,” Pochettino said.
“In the media Lamela is linked __with different clubs and it’s so difficult for me to understand.
“It’s a player who has not played since October and all that he is suffering in the last four, five months, do you think that he is thinking to move? He is thinking to go to Italy? He is very happy here.
“The problems he has he was desperate and the club was desperate to find the solution.
“But I think it made me laugh, every time I hear all that in the media, because it is impossible for him, impossible for the club, impossible for his agent, impossible for his people, to think about moving. Where?
“Now he needs help, more he needs us to help him in the next few months. I think you know better than me that it does not make sense.”
Lamela was one of Tottenham’s star performers last season and appeared finally to have settled at White Hart Lane following his club-record £30million move from Roma in August 2013.
Pochettino believes Lamela has the necessary resilience to make a successful recovery.
“Now it’s so difficult. He is very focused to move to Barcelona (for surgery) on Saturday. I don’t believe it will be tough,” Pochettino said.
“He is a person who likes to work hard. He is very professional. If he starts to feel good and fixes the problem, the pain he feels in his hip, it will come quick to recover and be on the pitch again training with us.
“Now I think it’s a very difficult situation, very tough for him. He needs our love, our support, and to be sure that all is going well.”
Tottenham travel to Burnley on Saturday, looking to reduce a 10-point gap behind Chelsea while extending their advantage in the race for Champions League qualification.
It could prove a fruitful weekend for Spurs, given Manchester City and Arsenal go head-to-head on Sunday, but Burnley have lost only three matches at Turf Moor all season.
Sean Dyche’s men will also have been less affected by the international break, which saw the majority of Pochettino’s first-team squad reconvene on Thursday.
“It is difficult for us as nearly all the players are involved with national teams,” Pochettino said.
“Thursday was the first time we met all together here on the training ground to start to prepare for the game against Burnley.
“It is not much time but we need to accept that and be ready to compete.”
Jose confirms ‘long-term injuries’ for defensive pair
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed Phil Jones and Chris Smalling sustained “long-term injuries” on England duty.
Saturday’s home clash __with West Brom is the first of nine matches for United in April as they juggle domestic and European exertions.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera miss this weekend’s match through suspension and a hamstring issue rules Paul Pogba out, but it is setbacks to Jones and Smalling that could prove most costly in the long run.
Jones withdrew from the England squad last week due to a toe injury that appeared to be sustained in a training ground duel __with team-mate Smalling, who days later left the squad with fitness problems of his own.
The defender has been spotted with his right leg in a brace and Mourinho has revealed the pair face a substantial chunk of time on the sidelines.
Asked how long he expects to be without Jones and Smalling, the United boss said: “I don’t know, I don’t know.
“I know that Zlatan and Herrera have the last match ban, so it’s easy to say they will be available after the match.
“I think clearly the two English boys they are long-term injuries and Pogba I have no idea. I don’t know.”
Mourinho confirmed he can call upon fit-again Wayne Rooney against West Brom and preferred to focus on those available ahead of a match that could play a key role in the battle for the top four.
“They’re not important,” Mourinho said. “The important ones are the ones that are ready to play. That’s the way we have to think.
“We cannot be here crying or speaking about the players who are not available to play.
“You know Zlatan and Herrera are suspended, you know that Herrera is two matches banned for that episode against Chelsea.
“You know what happened in the English national team with Smalling and Jones.
“You know that we have also Pogba injured, but I repeat they’re not important.
“The important players are the ones that are ready to play and the ones I trust and the ones who are going to give us everything tomorrow to try to keep us in the fight for the top four.”
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Kante: Conte is still trying to help me improve
N’Golo Kante has expressed his desire to continue improving on the attacking side of his game.
Kante has established himself as one of the world’s finest central midfielders, and is on course to become the first player to win consecutive Premier League titles for different clubs.
He played a vital role in Leicester’s remarkable success last season, and has been one of Chelsea’s best players since joining for £32million in the summer.
The Frenchman wants to add more goals to his game however, __with his match-winning FA Cup strike against Manchester United only his second goal in 30 games this season.
Kante says that manager Antonio Conte is always pushing him to improve.
“We know he [Conte] was a midfielder, we know his career, we can respect what he did. When he gives you advice, I have to understand and try to improve,” he said.
“Not especially to score goals but when I have the pass, to look forward, to try to make me improve, but also when we have the chance to score, we like to create chances and score.
“It’s important. Sometimes it could make the difference for the team, for the game, and when we have the chances to score, we have to score.”
Mails on BT, Arsenal, Jose, Wimbledon and more…
One of those interesting Mailboxes without a real theme. Watch Man City and then mail theeditor@football365.com
Big-ups to BT
We’ve had some of the best, most memorable European football in living memory on BT Sport in the last few weeks, __with City – Monaco II still to come. Oh and United probably losing to Rostov on Thursday.
The German and French leagues which Mr. Storey shows us clips on on a regular basis are also on BT Sport.
The European Football show is in my opinion the best football programme on television.
And they’ve stopped letting Robbie Savage be on everything.
Are you still inclined to attack BT for attempting to build their brand __with paid football? For doing the exact same thing that Sky did 20 years ago, and are still doing?
Competition is always a benefit to the consumer, and BT Sport deserves credit for their efforts to break the Sky monopoly and provide a meaningful alternative, not abuse.
BT Sport is doing a far better job of European football coverage than anyone else in this country ever has, which is to all our benefit.
If you want to watch European games, don’t complain about BT not being free. Just pay the money. It’s more than worth it.
Tim Sutton
Can you turn down Champions League football?
A question following Jeremy’s earlier email, some recent sniffy Man Utd whining, and a, er, political wind you may have noticed blowing: do teams who qualify for the Champions League have to take up their place in the tournament?
The theory of some seems to be that Chelsea’s leisurely stroll to the title (/double) this year was basically inevitable as they’ve not been in Europe this year, and so the useless reserves they have on standby (Begovic, Fabregas, Zouma, Ake, Willian, Pedro, etc.) have only been required intermittently.
So on that line of thinking, could the thing which has kept Wenger in a job for so long – qualifying for the Champions League forever – be the thing which is actually causing him so much trouble at the moment? And if so, would they be better off, say, ‘leaving’ a protectionist European money grab zone; and instead allowing their focus to, say, ‘remain’ on solely domestic affairs for a while?
I appreciate this may be moot in the case of Arsenal in a few months’ time; but equally Utd, Spurs, Liverpool and Citeh might all feel they can do without season-sapping European campaigns while they’re getting their premier league heads together.
But I’m asking more for the sake of the question than an answer, really. My opinion? The degrees of income, influence, prestige and power clubs get from being in the Champions League are gargantuan and unrivalled anywhere in world football; so you’d have to be bats*** to give up access voluntarily.
Neil Raines avfc (just an opinion…)
In defence of Arsenal’s Champions League record
Yeah, I will take the bait that will lead to my eventual death – this is a response to all those using Leicester ‘success’ in UCL as yet another stick (by now there must be a whole forest) with which to beat Arsenal and Wenger with. At heart, I am a football romantic, to me the Leicester story was all about the beauty and romance and not how, on the flipside, it exposed Arsenal (and other big teams that finished below us). Man, oh man, are these people tryna kill the romantic me.
Look, can we stop looking at football (and life in general) as black or white, it is grey in all 50 (or more) shades. Now, my defence of Arsenal (and breaking and/or burning this new stick):
· In last seven seasons (of last-16 knockouts), on five occasions (71%) we have been knocked out by one of perennial favourites (much shorter odds to win UCL, meaning on paper much much better teams/squads) of the whole damn UCL thing, Barca (2011,2016) and Bayern (2013, 2014, 2017)
· Further to point above, on two of those five occasions, we were knocked out by the eventual winners of the whole damn thing – proving that they are indeed the best team in the whole damn thing.
· Bar Monaco in 2015, if Leicester had faced any of the teams that knocked Arsenal out, I would bet my continent’s entire GDP that they would have been knocked out (emphatically so) each time.
· Three (or so) seasons ago Leicester would have been third of even bottom seed in their group, and most likely wouldn’t have even made Europa. Sometimes the puzzle pieces just fall into place ☺.
. Arsenal have consistently been battling on three fronts (even in league, the battle front being securing a UCL spot for following season) every season – to the point of being knocked out in round of 16. Leicester put all eggs in one basket at a time (buckets changing between 2015/16 and 2016/17).
To be quite honest, my heart has a warm fuzzy feeling over Leicester’s progress, and I hope they get lowest seed in quarters and make the semis (circa Leeds in 2000) – I really really wanna stay happy for them. But, man, oh man, what a way to try ruin that feeling by using it as a way to go at my beloved Arsenal.
KT Mokhele (Wenger must leave, but on his own terms – gracefully), Gooner in Johannesburg
…At what point did Leicester’s recent success become the stick to which beat Arsenal. Leicester won the league last year, Arsenal haven’t won it in twelve years. Leicester got through to Champions League QF, Arsenal haven’t done it in seven. Twelve…seven…nothing better than random arbitrary numbers to make a point. Leicester won the league last year, Arsenal won it 13 years ago and qualified for the QF eight years ago!! Yeah but that’s no fun. And last time I checked, plenty of teams haven’t won the league or progressed in Europe in three, nine, fourteen years either. As a gooner, it’s nice to know that other team’s failures (you know who you are) are accepted as standard but obviously Arsenal have set the bar high and thus the expectations. Damn you Stick of Success.
Colin, Dublin Gooner
Why not just keep changing managers?
Leicester’s win last night cemented a point of view that I have held for almost 14 hours now. Changing managers should no longer illicit a shake of the head and a tut from the football supporting public. In fact, changing a manager is a fundamental part of the game. Keeping the faith is something I’ve generally always believed in and indeed advocated when it has come to my own club and the dancing moron, Pardew. Rather than seek to halt a worrying trend of poor results by staff turnover, I wanted to let the natural peaks and troughs of sports performance iron themselves out. But as Leicester have shown, the manager is no longer King, even though some aforementioned continue to call themselves such.
Leicester is one example that has helped crystallise this point of view, but Chelsea are another. Previous league winning squad, very little alterations made and a significant underperformance the following season. In both examples, by simply changing the manager clear improvements can be seen. But we are always told that the manager is the most important person at the football club. Managers like Ferguson and Wenger demand that authority but are they the exception that proves the rule? Should we be lauding the loyalty that the other aspects of the game seem to accept is a rare nice to have?
I’d argue that now that Pulis has developed some defensive solidity and consistency for West Brom they’d be better off changing him. By all means get him back in later if necessary but why not use the skills he has appropriately? The same can be said for Karanka at Boro, if from now until the end of the season they got in an attack-minded manager I’d wager they have a better chance of getting some results.
Footballers are fragile human beings. They are young blokes, asked to perform every week to an audience of millions in an age of infinite exposure. Yes, they get paid handsomely to do so but I have never seen a correlation between level of pay and mental wellbeing, nor anything suggesting that it is easier to process incidents, criticism and praise coming at you every couple of days at this stage of the season by being financially wealthier. Surely it is logical that maturity and development in your career is garnered under a variety of different teachers who each bring different levels of emotional support, inspiration, respect, even fear.
In keeping the leader of the group of young men fresh and mentally challenging you are ensuring that negativity does not spread, that ideas and freedom of expression are cultivated and that the group itself is a stronger force. So to me, it makes sense that the manager would be equally significant to a team yet more dispensable than ever.
Ant, CPFC
Who do Leicester want next?
What a brilliantly enjoyable game last night, carrying on an all-round excellent round of last 16 games. Looking at potential opposition for the next round, who would be the best possible draw?
City is boring if they get through, but I’d give Leicester a good chance of sneaking by them. Bayern, Real Madrid, Barcelona and probably Juventus would give an awesome memorable European night but with virtually zero chance of progression and every chance of a big loss. So that leaves Dortmund and Atletico both of who I think are ‘beatable’ with Dortmund in particular the best balance between good European side with an okay chance of progression. What do you think, get the memorable tie or aim for progression?
I finally wanted to touch on what a great game the ref had. Largely got all the key decisions right, didn’t buy into play acting and diving being done by several players; most notably Vardy. Sure Nasri’s second yellow was unfortunate, but I thought he was lucky to still be on after a cynical foul shortly before and in case was a bit of a moron for channelling his inner Arsenal to implode at the last-16 stage.
It got me thinking though, that had a referee of similar temperament been in the Barcelona game or indeed most Champions League games. A lot of soft fouls and ‘dramatics’ would disappear resulting in a much more enjoyable spectacle.
Tom Saints (Then again this is Leicester we’re talking about and I don’t think any team would want to draw them in a strange way)
Any Leicester fans agree with Souey?
After the Leicester game last night I had an idea that Souness would go off on one about the way the Leicester performed in comparison with how they performed under Ranieri and his accusation that they “downed tools” is spot on in my opinion.
I did get to wondering a couple things after his rant though – Are there any Leicester fans who are sickened by the way the players have suddenly become the Leicester of last season again? Has something similar happened to Souness in his managerial career (Newcastle perhaps?)
Macker, Dublin
Everton would not miss Lukaku
Big Rom is someone who will always divide opinion between Evertonians. Whilst we all love his presence and his goal-scoring, there are elements of his game and his personality that have us tearing our hair out at times.
With his game, he has in recent weeks, learned how to win a header, how to hold the ball up and improved his first touch immeasurably.
However, his personality of “always showing ambition” is now getting a bit too much for us.
We all know that he wants to play Champions League football and I genuinely believe that he would prefer to do it at Everton, but almost every season he comes out with all the ambition crap. I understand his desire to improve and win everything but surely that is a given with any professional footballer.
Listening to him in interviews, he is very intelligent and I don’t doubt his integrity, but I just wish he wouldn’t respond to questions that raise this issue every season.
Big Ron is building a team at Everton and Big Rom is a massive part of that, however, I do not believe that we would miss him if he left, let me explain by offering some responses to the media furore.
He hasn’t hit 20 goals in a Premier League season yet
He is only 8th in our all-time top scorers (football did exist before the premiership)
His hold-up play and first touch are often appalling
He very rarely wins a header
Whilst F365 can point to all the amazing Lukaku stats, there are still large elements of his game that need to improve if he’s going to be the player he wants to be. These are things which you can’t necessarily coach or quantify with stats ie. first touch and vision being the most tangible in this case.
So before every shouts “be careful what you wish for”, then the same should be applied to Lukaku.
Do big clubs actually want him? If they do then surely they would be prepared to pay a world record fee to secure “guaranteed goals”?
I’m not so sure and this is why I think the contract has stalled. If Everton don’t get into the Champions League (very likely) then Lukaku will leave. Everton value him very highly and want a release cause to reflect that. It’s only a starting point for negotiations and Everton will rightly want compensating appropriately.
If the release clause is the sticking point then it’s all about making him “affordable” to Champions League clubs which makes me feel a bit sick. If anyone else can fathom why this has stalled then I’m all ears, but so far, the only information that is available is related to the release clause.
With Davies, Barkley, Calvert-Lewin, Lookman and many others coming through, there is a youthful core at Everton that can grow into a championship winning team (with a few choice additions like Schneiderlin). His agent seemed happy so why not Romelu?
Fat Man Scouse, EFC
A bit of perspective on Mourinho
First off I would like to say, I completely understand how fans can feel betrayed by Mourinho now he’s managing United, it would have to sting for obvious reasons (I mean nobody likes their ex now do they?) What I don’t agree with is the level of abuse he received on Monday night, which was a bit over the top. Chelsea fans seem to forget two very important things:
1. It was Chelsea who SACKED him (not once but twice mind!). It’s not like he tore up his contract and said I’m off to United. Chelsea didn’t really give him a say in the matter.
2. Once sacked, where was he supposed to go? Barca didn’t want him, he’d already managed Madrid, Bayern had appointed Ancelotti. So you could say his options were a team in Italy, or PSG. Rationally anyone given those options, most people would choose United. There’s an argument for PSG, but maybe he didn’t fancy managing in France? Or was he expected to turn down one of the biggest jobs in football out of loyalty to Chelsea, who didn’t show any loyalty to him over his two stints.
So he’s at United, you would expect he would receive some abuse, but the level he did get was a bit over the top considering what he had done for Chelsea and how he left. And for the fans saying what did he expect, the red carpet to be rolled out? You’re missing the point a bit. He didn’t expect your adoration anymore, or songs from the terraces. But he could have at least got a little bit of respect for what he achieved, in fact completely ignoring him altogether probably would have annoyed him even more (seeing as he is a narcissist and a bit of a twat) rather then the constant stream of abuse. Although I guess that’s the modern football fan now isn’t it?
Also the mail this morning about Mourinho contradicting himself with comments about Costa and the treatment of Hazard. It’s called looking after number 1, it’s not really that much of a shocker is it?
Steve (Ireland)
…Riwaz Duggal, you want to guess what happens when any United legend comes and plays against United? They get cheered, not booed. You may have a point if Jose left Chelsea and went to United, creating bad blood, rather he got fired by Chelsea after winning the title a year ago.
I also do enjoy how all Chelsea fans point to 16th place, ignoring the fact that those same players waltzed the title a year ago under Jose looking unstoppable. The squad Conte is using is the same title winning squad, which is why many fans and experts don’t give him as much credit. Conte is just getting a team to perform like they did two years ago (under Jose) and is helped greatly by the addition of that monster called Kante to his midfield.
And off course in keeping with highlighting how petty Chelsea fans our you go with “arguably taken United a step backward”. Really? You’d struggle to find a United fan who believes that. All but the most entitled are extremely happy with the job Jose is doing, the players bought, the football we are playing and are waiting patiently for it to all come together. Even fans who were skeptical of Jose are coming around. We all expect great things next season.
Then to the gems,that made me chuckle “a coach defended his player”….stop the presses (this never happens right?). And a “coach thinks a defender fouled his striker and deserved a booking” (Riwaz is on a roll with this never seen before things in football).
And off course he has to end with Jose is “becoming a bad manager”. I mean it’s been two years since since he won the league, so he must be terrible at his job.
Jose is doing what all managers do and also the so-called criticism of Chelsea, if you actually watched what he said, was more a compliment on Chelsea’s consistency. At least that was what I got from watching that interview.
Leave it to Chelsea fans to boo their all time great manager and then off course Chelsea fans to come here to defend the fans booing rather than state that it should not have happened. Its no wonder Jose has stated that United fans are much better than you lot.
JB, (Thrilled with the football this year compared to the Van Bored days), MUFC
Blame the referee for Rojo let-off
I have found some of the reaction to the lack of punishment of Rojo for his stamp interesting. There is plenty of blame being apportioned out to Rojo, United, and the FA, yet one person has been left out entirely: Michael Oliver.
The simple fact is that the FA could not have banned Rojo because the referee mentioned it in his match report. We can argue from now until the end of the season about whether that rule is appropriate (it’s not), but you can’t dispute the adherence to that rule. As soon as Oliver mentioned it, it took it out of the FA’s hands. Bournemouth are not victims of big-club bias; they are victims of bad refereeing.
Why is no one talking about the referee’s performance now? If he saw it, why didn’t he act on it? If he didn’t see it, how could he mention it? Either way, he got it wrong.
I suspect that the reason the retrospective punishment rule is set up like that is to protect the referees from further scrutiny; the FA are willing to concede that referees can’t see everything in game, but allowing the in-match decisions to be overturned automatically implies that they are going to make mistakes – errors of judgement, which, by extension, would call every decision they make into question.
We need video technology to be implemented as soon as possible to ensure that the right calls are being made during the game, then we wouldn’t need retrospective punishment at all. I’m disappointed that Rojo wasn’t punished appropriately because that stamp was despicable, but that does not diminish the severity of Mings’ actions, and it certainly doesn’t mean his ban was harsh or should be reduced.
Ted, Manchester
A team of the season
My tuppence on the Team of the Season (and it’s a sign of how good it’s been this year that I have to leave out so many. Especially annoyed at not being able to fit in Mane or Lukaku).
The obvious picks, in a Pep-esque 4-1-4-1.
Lloris
Walker Alderweireld Luiz Rose
Kante
De Bruyne Dele Sanchez Hazard
Kane
And here’s a more left-field, underappreciated team, who deserve a little moment in the sun.
Pickford
Keane Gibson Maguire
Moses Gueye Lallana Milner
Sigurdsson
Defoe Llorente
Gene, THFC, Guyana
Ed’s mailbox thoughts
A couple of reactions to things in this morning’s mailbox before I have the afternoon off.
* Fantastic to see a the Fist of Fun reference above Tim Colyer’s mail.
* Hall of Shame is a great series.
* The ‘lie back and think of the coefficient’ mindset is one of the most tedious things in all of football. However, I did see last night that Russia has overtaken Portugal. While neither is a footballing superpower like Spain, Germany or Italy, it seems like Portugal has always been on the fringes of the elite, while Russia is a bit of an upstart (the whole Soviet Union dismantling setting them back somewhat). Not sure if this will make a great difference overall, but thought it was interesting with Portugal largely being a selling league these days.
Ed Quoththeraven (heard a rumour Zweigen have a new fan today)
This is why we have a mailbox…
Away from the Champions League, last night saw one of the most fascinating, potentially nasty and rancour filled games of the season, the latest installment of one of, if not the most poisonous rivalry in English football, so poisonous that the home team did not put the name of their opponents on the cover of the programme, reduced the ‘a look at our opponents’ pages inside from the normal seven down to one, and abbreviated their full name on the scoreboard as their full, official name.
The home team refused to offer hospitality to the directors of the visitors, and refused to accept it in the earlier game this season, enabling Sky to film the visiting chairman queuing up at the turnstiles with a ticket. Mercifully, and no doubt helped by a heavy police presence, the game went off without serious incident, and with right result, the home team winning.
The game was of course Wimbledon against Milton Keynes, and yet this website chose to ignore it, which quite frankly I cannot understand. I appreciate it’s a minor thing compared to the interminable debate about Wenger’s future, or the centre of Liverpool’s defence, but with the history of the two teams, the behaviour of the FA, the rise of Wimbledon, the implications for football as a whole, even at Premier League level, I would have thought it’s a story every football fan would have been interested in. Obviously I was wrong.
I would have loved to have heard Football365’s take on all this, but there you go. I’m not angry, just disappointed.
Please note, I won’t use the name Dons in connection with the Milton Keynes team, out of respect for Wimbledon. A few years ago, my own team were minutes away from being wound up completely, which gives you a healthy respect for fans in similar circumstances.
OK, as you were.
Paul Quinton, Wolverhampton
Everton chief opens up on Romelu Lukaku situation
Romelu Lukaku’s rejection of an improved Everton contract is “not an issue”, according to majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.
It was revealed earlier this week that Lukaku had turned down the chance to become Everton’s first £100,000-plus-a-week player.
The striker is thought to be desperate to play Champions League football, and is aware that particular ambition is unlikely to be fulfilled over the next few seasons at Goodison Park. Maybe he should join Tottenham?
The main stumbling block over the contract offer is that Everton attempted to insert a £90million release clause, which Lukaku’s representatives attempted to lower to around £70m.
Chelsea have been linked __with a move for their former player, while Manchester United are also reported to be interested.
But even though the Belgian has turned down the offer, the Toffees are not panicking.
“It is not an issue. We have a strong relationship __with the player and his agent.
“We are very happy with Romelu and want to reward him. The club is committed to an improved contract – he is our player.”
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Liverpool target Brandt is chased by Bayern – reports
Bayern Munich are in ‘advanced’ talks about signing Liverpool target Julian Brandt, according to BILD.
The German champions are likely to sign the Bayer Leverkusen winger for around £11m this summer. It is not the first time they have shown interest in Brandt.
Bayern Munich had an offer on the table for Julian Brandt around two years ago. Despite knockbacks, it seems their interest hasn't waned.
— Glenn Price (@GlennPrice94) March 15, 2017
BILD claim that Bayer Leverkusen are still keen to tie Brandt down to a new deal that would keep him from the clutches of the all-powerful Bayern.
Speaking on the Liverpool Echo’s Anfield Extra podcast, the editor of Germany’s Kicker Magazine, Jorg Jakob, said this week:
“First of all I’d like to mention the name of Alex Ferguson, who I talked to in November after he’d seen Brandt in the Champions League.
“He was very impressed. And he was right, because Brandt is one of the best and finest talents we have in German football.
“The move makes complete sense. To be honest I don’t know if it will happen, but it makes sense.
“Leverkusen have a new manager and they definitely won’t qualify for Europe. This might be a reason for Brandt and his agent to say ‘let’s go to a Champions League club like Liverpool.
“If he trusts in Jurgen Klopp a move could happen and maybe in some years it’ll be Real Madrid.”
But it now seems that Brandt may find himself at Bayern instead.
Cheeky Punt: Making wa*ker signs at Steven N’Zonzi
Absolute scenes in Chez Punt last Wednesday. A day previously I’d had a lumpy treble consisting of Livingston, Barcelona and Manchester City. All were shorties and all were expected to win.
Livingston duly did the business 3-0 on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday, Barcelona scorched into a 3-0 lead against PSG at the Camp Nou. The greatest comeback in the long and illustrious history of European football was on, until Edison Cavani scored for the French to make it 3-1 and seemingly kill the tie.
At that point I stuck Sky Sports 1 back on and grimly sat through the absolute horror show that was the second half of Man City v Stoke, hoping that Pep Guardiola’s men would nick one. They didn’t. So while one of the greatest moments in the history of football was taking place on the other channel, I was eating a bag of Scampi Fries and listening to Carra and Niall Quinn trying to keep straight faces while ‘analysing’ that 0-0 draw at the Etihad. Honestly man, I’m not saying I’m unlucky, but if I bought a f**king cemetery people would stop dying.
*****
I ended up in McDonald’s the other day __with a mate who also likes a punt. We get talking and he starts giving it big licks about the fact he is a big eater. We kept on talking before I suggested I would bet him £100 he couldn’t eat ten double cheeseburgers in 20 minutes.
He reckons he would do this “easy” so we agreed a date and a venue __with the loser also squaring the food bill. I was unsure if I had made the right choice in doubting his prowess for devouring junk food so texted a mate the next day with the following:
‘I’m betting a lad £100 he can’t eat 10 McDonald’s double cheese burgers in 20 minutes. What ya reckon?’
Quick as a flash said other mate text back:
‘At 7:45am in the morning? I ‘reckon’ you are unfit for civilised society. Still, give me a full-time score when you have it.’
*****
I am off to the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday and Friday where the going is mostly drunk, hammered in places.
Thistlecrack pulling out of the Gold Cup left me bereft a few weeks ago and also cursing a string of ante-post wagers I had lumped on Colin Tizzard’s four-legged superstar.
The Festival started on Tuesday and it was sod’s law that I would come down with a major bout of ‘Seconditis’ on the day. I went in heavy on Melon (3/1), Singlefarmpayment (5/1) and Vroum Vroum Mag (11/4). All ran blinders, all finished second.
My misery was complete when I tried to chase a few quid back later in the evening backing both teams to score in the Leicester – Sevilla game, only to watch in horror as Steven N’Zonzi’s a**e nipped as he missed a penalty late doors at The King Power. Gambling, a disease of barbarians superficially civilised.
Cheeky’s Punt of the Week: Sunderland to beat Burnley at 6/4 (Hills)
Degsy Bilton