Not only did Saturday’s game with Leeds end unfortunately in defeat, it also had a massive shock to some.
It has finally happened, the prodigal son Liam Trotter has not only been dropped from the starting XI, but the entire match day squad.
To non-Millwall fans this will be a surprise, other teams fans would highlight him as one of our, if not our best player. But they don’t know the truth. Yes, Trotts started the season well, putting in great performances consistently, but this seems a long time ago.
Come to this point and Trotter is nowhere near his earlier form. He is known as an attacking midfielder, but now he doesn’t seem to get forward enough, and he cant defend well either. So he’s an a attacking midfielder who isn’t scoring and can defend, a “nothing” player, let’s just say I’ve washed a few quid on Trotter FGS in games…
Some people describe Trotter as a “luxury player” but there is not much luxurious quality about him at the moment.
We all know he has the potential to “change a game”. Yes he does, but one game in six doesn’t cut it, KJ has been quoted in the past in saying he has “Premier League quality” well he needs to hit consistency in the Championship before even thinking of the Premier League.
I still believe he is a very good player; he just needs to find more consistency in the way he plays. Lets be honest, he is our best centre midfielder by far on his day.
Josh Wright, not exactly an attacking midfielder, but not defending either, has a great pass though.
Jimmy Abdou, the best defensive midfielder we have, but can’t go forward for love nor money.
And that’s basically it, I never thought Trotter would be dropped, he’s our best attacking midfielder. But we only have three out and out centre midfielders so what can we do?
Let’s just hope this wake-up call has the desired effect on Trotter, maybe he needs to look at James Henry as a prime example.
Last season Henry was being kept out the team by Liam Feeney, that’s how bad it got.
But he worked hard to regain his place, and he did. Before he was lazy and uninterested. He then became a driving force in the Lions hunt for survival, plus he added a new factor to his game, tracking back helping the defense.
I like Trotter and still think he has the potential to be a Premier League footballer, but he needs to buck up his ideas and fast.
Also, a quick side note to the 160 ‘Wall fans who made the trip to Leeds. We’ve had enough of being treated like dirt due to past reputations. An early kick off, massive prices and having to stop on the motorway services to collect your ticket, how many other clubs suffer this?
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No wonder this was considered a boycott…
Leeds have dealt easily enough this season with a few thousand Everton, Chelsea and Spurs fans, but can’t handle which would be 1,000 ‘Wall if it wasn’t for restrictions?
Motorway services are for petrol, not football tickets…
Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic has refused to suggest the race for the Premier League title is over, despite his side extending their gap over Manchester City to 15 points.
The Red Devils took full advantage of City’s 2-0 loss at Everton by claiming a 1-0 victory at home to old Trafford on Saturday.
With only nine games remaining apiece, many have predicted that United have all but secured English football’s top prize.
But, Vidic is adamant that the battle for the league title is far from finished, citing last season’s late drop in form, where they surrendered an eight point lead, as an example of what can happen:
“It is a big gap and we shouldn’t let that change. We have the title in our hands,” he told Sky Sports.
“What happened last season is the reason why sometimes you can feel the fans get nervous.
“But I don’t think we should allow that to happen again. We can’t allow that to happen again.
“But we still have some tough away games at places that are traditionally hard for us so nothing is finished yet.”
City won the league title with the final kick of the campaign last time out, as Sergio Aguero netted an all-important winning goal against QPR.
Chris Smalling echoed Vidic’s thoughts, stating that nothing can be taken for granted:
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“Last season is a massive incentive to make sure we hold on to this lead.
“We can’t rest on our laurels. We have to make sure we finish it well before the season is over.”
Reading boss Nigel Adkins believes the Royals must beat his former club Southampton to keep alive their hopes of staying up.
The Royals slipped to the bottom of the league on goal difference last weekend after Adkins’ first game in charge following the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal, a result which leaves the Berkshire club seven points from safety.
The former Scunthorpe boss admitted it would always be a big ask to get something at the Emirates Stadium and felt Reading’s fight against the drop realistically didn’t start until this weekend’s match with the Saints.
Adkins is set to put aside personal feelings for the clash with his old club in order to make sure Reading get the three points they need to keep their hopes of survival alive.
“We talk about the long term situation that we’ve got, the way I want to go and play, but first and foremost, the here and now – we’ve got to go and win the game on Saturday,” Adkins told Reading’s website.
“We are where we are at this moment in time in the Barclays Premier League and we need to win. The next game is always the most important one, it’s the first home game for myself and Andy Crosby, and we’re really looking forward to the game.”
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Arsenal will reportedly turn to Hamburg goalkeeper Rene Adler in the summer to help solve their ongoing problems between the sticks, according to the Mirror.
The Gunners have struggled to secure a dominant custodian since the departure of Jens Lehmann back in 2008, with Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski sharing the keeping duties this season.
Both players can be brilliant on their day but are inconsistent and prone to lapses in concentration that lead to errors.
Boss Arsene Wenger relied on David Seamen for years but has been unable to find another keeper to match the former England star, but reports in the English press claim he will now turn to the former Bayer Leverkusen shot-stopper to try and solve the problem.
Adler has won 11 Germany caps and reports claim he would cost in the region of £10million but, with another trophyless season at the Emirates Stadium, it might be money well spent.
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Despite three of the Premier League’s top four clubs changing their management this summer, the vast majority of media attention has been dedicated towards David Moyes.
In many ways, it’s easy to understand why. Jose Mourinho’s strengths and weaknesses are well known, as are his credentials with European powerhouses, whilst Manuel Pellegrini’s rather laid-back and boring manner has given the media hacks and online bloggers little to talk about. David Moyes on the other hand, remains an unknown quantity at the helm of a big club, and furthermore, the Scot undoubtedly trumps his Chelsea and Manchester City counterparts with the weight of expectation upon his shoulders.
The successor to Sir Alex Ferguson certainly has big shoes to fill and a monolithic shadow to step out of, but he also has a legacy of success spanning over two decades that he must maintain, while his British nationality means that every Premier League manager and chairman will be keeping a close eye on Moyes, as his triumphs and defeat will dictate as to whether or not domestic head coaches will be given positions of such power and importance in the future.
It’s a lot of pressure, more than at Stamford Bridge, where Mourinho at a minimum will be expected to push the club in the right direction more than dominate the top flight in his first season back in West London, and more than at the Etihad, where Pellegrini will be given at least a year to prove himself, as long as he picks up at least one piece of silverware, with auxiliary competitions trophies accepted, along the way. Meanwhile, in the red half of Manchester, you can imagine supporters won’t be too happy should the Red Devils surrender the Premier League title too easily to their domestic rivals as a reaction to the change in management.
[cat_link cat=”manchester-united” type=”tower”]
What David Moyes will undoubtedly be most concerned about, is that United’s title-defence campaign could well be over before it even starts, with a hectic first few months to the season in terms of fixtures. In the initial five weeks of the Scot’s inaugural campaign, he will come up against Swansea, Chelsea, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Manchester City, while in November, the Red Devils face Arsenal and Tottenham in the space of three weeks.
It will be first time the Manchester United boss enters these fixtures not only with a cast of Premier League champions, but also as the favourite, with former club Everton always the typecast underdog. We are yet to see whether Moyes can better his divisional rivals tactically and psychologically, or if he can master the incredibly different challenge of being the favourite against teams that will be as desperate to win as he is.
I’m not suggesting the 50 year old will wilt under the pressure and be unable to deliver as United gaffer, but there is unquestionable scope for his first season to become a write-off after his first fifteen games, should he concede valuable points to the Premier League’s top five, and further potential for David Moyes to be judged far too soon into his Old Trafford career.
But the Scot is undoubtedly a manager worth waiting for, and there is just cause for United fans to remain ever-patient with Moyes, by looking beyond the current season.
First of all, although Sir Alex Ferguson has dipped in and out of retirement once before, it remains unlikely he will re-emerge into the world of management at this point in his career. He’s left on a high, with his reputation solidified as one of the greatest head coaches the English game has ever seen, and at the age of 71, dodgy hip to boot, it seems the timing is right to call it a day.
Looking back is no longer an option for the Old Trafford faithful, and the closest thing you’ll find in modern terms to the ageing Scot is David Moyes. Their shared Scottish nationality may be a superficial similarity, but it emphasises how their personal demeanour, attitudes, approach to man-management, style and tactics are almost carbon copies of each other. If Fergie dished out the hair-dryer treatment when required, Moyes’ bulbous eyes will provide a piercing and terrifying stare to the same effect, whilst in terms of tactic and philosophy, I recently wrote an article regarding how statistically at least, the systems used at United and Everton last season are nearly identical, despite the common misconception of the Toffees as a long-ball side.
Similarly, as previously stated, David Moyes represents the most talented British manager of his generation. The likes of Harry Redknapp, Steve McLaren and Roy Hodgson never made it to the big time, but the United manager has worked tirelessly and tenaciously to earn his chance at a top club. His silverware repertoire may be incredibly bare, with just a Second Division title with Preston North End in terms of actual trophies, but three LMA Manager of the Year awards, for a boss at a club of Everton’s stature, speaks for itself.
Over the course of a decade, Moyes has taken the Toffees from the brink of relegation to becoming one of the most consistent clubs in the English top flight, with the Goodison outfit finishing 7th place or higher, once qualifying for the Champions League, for seven of the ten seasons the Scot has been in charge, whilst the club managed the same final league standing just twice in the decade prior to Moyes’ appointment. Most impressively, it’s all been done on a shoe-string; the club’s record transfer fee is just £15million for Marouane Fellaini, whilst other key purchases have often involved nominal sums.
But if Moyes’ reputation is already well known enough to disallow him being cut some slack, there are plenty of other reasons why the Red Devils faithful must look beyond the current season.
Sir Alex leaves the squad in good knick, but there are still a number of pressing issues that his successor must inherit, with no simple solution on the horizon. We already know a bid for Leighton Baines has been tabled, but Moyes will also have to instigate at least two big transactions in the transfer market this summer. Ferguson’s inability to replace Paul Scholes has prolonged the ginger maestro’s career, however, the current United boss will not have the same luxury, and needs to find a passing midfielder who can sit alongside Michael Carrick in an intrinsic partnership. He will have to invest in a young talent, however, potential stars always take time to develop.
Similarly, should Wayne Rooney make his widely expected departure from Old Trafford this summer, David Moyes will have to return to the drawing board. Like-for-like replacements for the England international are few and far between, and even if the former Toffees boss passes the mantle onto Shinji Kagawa at the tip of midfield to avoid taking too big a gamble in the transfer market, the Red Devils will have to modify the way they play, as the dual role Rooney undertakes in screening for Michael Carrick whilst also supporting Robin Van Persie, is very much the heartbeat of the first team.
There are also questions over the longevity of all of Man United’s current berth of widemen, who have been lukewarm at best this season, whilst at some point Moyes will have to decide whether Phil Jones, Chris Smalling or Johnny Evans are the future of the club at the heart of defence. These are all issues the United boss must address amid his first season, and it will be a difficult task making the right call in all departments.
Furthermore, what is often forgotten amid the ‘hire and fire’ culture of Premier League management now days, is that like players, coaches must undergo a path of individual development. Brendan Rodgers has grown immensely in stature at Liverpool in comparison to a year ago, and although he’s clearly made mistakes in the media and tactical faux pas, the Northern Irishman is all the better for it, pushing the Reds slowly and surely in the right direction.
There will be similarities with Moyes’ tenure. The Premier League’s schedulers have dealt the Scot an unfortunate hand with his opening set of fixtures, and overall, you would not expect the United boss to come through the first five weeks of the season smelling of roses – mistakes, due to inexperience at the highest level, will undoubtedly be made.
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But mistakes either make the man or break the man, depending on how you learn from them, and so far in the Red Devils gaffer’s career, he’s yet to show any sign that he’s moving backwards or stagnated. It bodes well for Moyes’ potential to grow, now that the constraints of finance and limited player quality have been removed, but his first campaign will contain it’s fair share of errors.
Yet, it is worth reminding that it took Sir Alex Ferguson three years to win his first trophy at Old Trafford, and six years to win his first league title. His successor undoubtedly deserves the same treatment, after earning his stripes at a club which would equate to a managerial boot-camp, showing clear potential throughout, whilst also maintaining a delicate balancing act between limited finance and resources, the need to bring in young talent and steady progress.
Moyes will excel at Old Trafford, but it may take some time for the Scot to find his feet. My only fear is that the United faithful have become fat on glory, and they will not grant their new manager with the patience and respect he fully deserves.
Will Manchester United fans judge David Moyes too soon?
Everton are readying a £15million bid for Wigan’s James McCarthy, having already seen two offers rejected earlier this summer, according to the Daily Star.
The Irish midfielder is valued at £20million by Latics chairman Dave Whelan, but Roberto Martinez is hoping to use his relationship with his former boss to lure McCarthy away.
Martinez has already landed Arouna Kone and Antolin Alcaraz from his ex-employer, while also having picked up goalkeeper Joel Robles from Atletico Madrid, who spent last season on loan at Wigan with at the DW Stadium.
If McCarthy was to move to Everton, the fee would equal the club’s record transfer fee, paid to Standard Liege for Marouane Fellaini in 2008.
On the pitch, Everton are preparing for a pre-season game against Juventus in America.
And the Spaniard is looking forward to pitting his managerial prowess, alongside his side’s ability, against the Italian champions.
Speaking to Everton’s website, he said: “It is a great challenge. It is a glamorous game against a team I have admired for the last few years.
“From a tactical point of view, they are the best team playing a back three at this present time.
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“It’s going to be a terrific test, this is as good as it gets in terms of games for us.”
Goals from Griffiths and Henry put Wolves within touching distance of the top despite horrendous conditions.
After an ultimately drab 1-1 draw not two days ago against a stubborn Coventry side, Wolves were looking to ramp up the pressure on their League rivals, Orient and Peterborough.
Chances in the first half were few and far between for both sides in the opening exchanges, both Wolves and Oldham looked tentative, not wanting to give too much away in front of the lowest League attendance at Molineux in over six years. Ironic, considering Wolves had the second highest attendance in the whole of the Football League on Saturday. Bakary Sako had the first chance of the game, his rather ambitious shot drifted just left of the goal and failed to trouble the Latics ‘keeper.
Kenny Jackett made just the one change but more importantly, the boss changed the formation around. Kevin Doyle was dropped for Lee Evans as Jackett switched the formation from a conventional 4-4-2, with Doyle dropping deep. Instead the home side switched to a 4-3-3, with Evans, McDonald and Price making up the trio in midfield. The back five remained the same, with Sako, Griffiths and Henry making up the dynamic front three. It was so pleasing to see Wolves playing with three proper centre midfielders, rather than Doyle dropping deep. It was a bit harsh for the Irishman, his form recently has been outstanding, putting in some real shifts next to Leigh Griffiths. Letting the Scot grab the headlines whilst he ploughs away up and down the pitch. What was evident on reflection after the game was how solid and cohesive Wolves were in the midfield, Price, McDonald and Evans communicating well throughout, all three offering something a little different, all having that ability, however, to give the ball and receive in tight spaces and look up to pick out a pass.
The Latics boss, Lee Johnson, made two changes to his side who sat 18th in League One, Christian Montano and Carl Winchester came in for Charlie MacDonald and the former Blue, Adam Rooney. Oldham were coming into the game off the back of a 1-0 home win against Carlisle, the last ten games have seen the Latics pick up just eight points. It seemed that Oldham had lined up with a 4-6-0 with Philliskirk playing as the ‘false 9’, if you like. With that bit of Barcelona-esque tactics being used (I am being sarcastic, before you start commenting) Oldham began with Oxley in goal; Mills Tarkowski Grounds and Kusunga at the back; Winchester Wesolowski Montano Smith and Dayton made up the midfield five; Philliskirk was sent out as the ‘false 9’, intending to drop deeper and test Ricketts and Batth.
With twenty minutes gone, Oldham had their first effort on goal, the impressive Colombian, Christian Montano, failed to connect properly with a header from Carl Winchester. With twenty minutes gone, the chances were sparse but the weather soon wasn’t. A torrential, biblical, rain shower completely changed the first half, the rain bouncing off the roofs of all four stands. The pitch and the players soon felt the affects of the down pour, water skidding off the boots of the players as they attempted to pass it around. The rain really did put a dampener on events in the first half, if you will pardon the pun, neither team could carve out any sort of clear cut opportunity.
James Henry began to put his mark on the game, shooting from way out after smart play from McDonald who switched the play and picked out the Millwall man. Soon after, Henry turned on a sixpence and hit a smart drive that brought out the best from Mark Oxley. Danny Batth’s header from the resulting corner went wide, probably Wolves’ best spell in a rain drenched first half.
There was some worry for Wolves, Matt Doherty, probably the most consistent player at the club, limped off and was replaced by Richard Stearman. To see Doherty come off was a real shame for everyone, not least the young Irishman. His stability and consistency at right back has been a real highlight for Wolves, despite his young age, the Irish under 21 international has shown a high level of professionalism and diligence in his short time at the club.
Half time came and went as the rain finally curtailed its appearance. The pitch drained as the players returned for the second half. Wolves looked the better side, another Batth header went wide after Scott Golbourne produced an impressive ball in. The reinstated Lee Evans looks rather frustrated that his fellow team mate had not laid the ball off for him.
The breakthrough came five minutes after the restart, it was as unkempt as the weather. Sako’s barnstorming cross deflected rather fortunately for James Henry. The ball hit his shin and trickled in. Henry looked delighted, if a little surprised at the goal, one that was fully deserved for the team and the individual. It was Henry’s best game in his short time at Wolves, he offered the team something different, a player who can genuinely beat a man and cross the ball with sniper-like accuracy but can also cut inside and shoot. Having him and Sako on either wing, dovetailing, is a mouth watering prospect
Oldham soon tried to hit back, Jonson Clarke-Harris was clean through on the left hand side, fortunately, Danny Batth was there to snuff out any sort of opportunity. Wolves eventually killed the game off fifteen minutes later, Bakary Sako was once again providing the pass for Griffiths to slot home, after Jonathan Grounds slipped on the damp surface. Hearts were in mouths as fans thought the ball would stop just short of going in, luck was on Wolves’ side though and the ball nestled in the bottom corner.
Calm came across the Molineux, it rare that Wolves go into a two nil lead so relatively late on in a game, it was encouraging to see. Wolves looked comfortable, they were dominating teams, rather than them dominating us. It was the first time that Wolves had three in the middle, this correlated with a strong midfield performance from Evans and co. Coincidence? I think not.
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Wolves ended on a high, underlining their second half dominance, again, another encouraging side of a team that look to be clicking. Henry yet again saw a wicked shot palmed away, Danny Batth then slid in from a corner, his effort was cleared off the line and Wolves were denied the cherry on top of the cake.
With minutes to go, Carl Ikeme nearly provided the assist for Wolves’ third and Griffiths’ second. His long ball found the feet of Griffiths, whose first touch, as expected, was absolutely perfect. His shot fired wide as Oxley breathed a sigh of relief.
So, Wolves return to winning ways and more importantly have not been beaten in the League since that miserable evening at home to Molineux. With Orient getting beat and Borough only drawing it was a perfect evening for the men in Gold. Bradford will provide a stern test for Wolves but after that Wolves should be looking for at least seven points against Stevenage, Carlisle and Notts County.
Another game gone, another three points collected. Twelve gone, thirty four to go.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche has praised the club’s support after their Capital One Cup exit.
The Clarets lost 2-0 to Premier League side West Ham on Tuesday night, thanks to goals from Matt Taylor and Jack Collison.
Dyche celebrated his first full year in charge of Burnley, and was full of praise to the fans despite his side’s exit from the competition. Speaking to the club’s official website, the former Millwall star was grateful to the fans who travelled down to Upton Park.
“I want to say thank you to all the supporters. I’ve asked recently about the ongoing support of our fans and if things don’t always go to plan we need that support. Last night was a good show of that,” Dyche said.“The supporters were right behind the team from first to last and tried to get us over the line. Even though it wasn’t to be, the backing has helped to make Turf Moor a real tough place to come and long may that continue, through the ups and downs of a long season.”It was a useful test for Burnley as they push for promotion back to the Premier League. The Clarets are currently top of the Championship after 13 matches, as they continue their fine form in the 12 months since Dyche took over as manager.Dyche faces his old side Millwall on Saturday, over 10 years since he last wore a Lions shirt.[ad_pod id=’capone’ align=’center’]
Manchester City host Chelsea on Monday evening and it should be quite the occasion. Thomas Rooney from Footballtips.com previews the action at the Etihad.
Ask any football fan their opinion on the title race and the majority will say its between these two. Either Manuel Pellegrini or Jose Mourinho will lead their team to glory this season.
That seems a fair conclusion too. Arsenal are competing more than ever, but have they got what it takes to get over the line? Out at 11/2 to win the title, they are the third favourites.
So, taking Monday night as the battle between the two main contenders, it’s a massive evening for both teams. You send a serious message by getting three points in this one.
As the home side, it probably won’t surprise you to see Manchester City as the 20/23 favourites with Bet Victor. Quite simply, they are unstoppable at the Etihad.
Scoring goals for fun, they are a constant threat to the opposition defence. From the fluency and pace in midfield to the clinical finishing up front, there’s arguably no-one better right now.
This will be reduced slightly by the injury to Sergio Aguero, while Alvaro Negredo is a doubt too. This leaves the emphasis very much on Edin Dzeko – but he has a great record.
It’s a team effort from City too. Everyone is confident right now and they have goals all over the pitch. On this note, Yaya Toure looks a cracking anytime scorer bet at 11/4 with Betfred.
There’s no doubt City will hit Chelsea with attack after attack too. That’s the way they play and it’s the style that’s seen them hammer Arsenal, Tottenham and Man Utd among others.
As for the visitors – at 7/2 with Bet365 for the win – they have approached big games, particularly away from home. At Man Utd and at Arsenal, they’ve been happy with a point from the word go.
Mourinho criticised Sam Allardyce for his approach in the week, but in truth, Chelsea have gone into more than one game searching for a draw from the word go.
This won’t cut it at the Etihad Stadium though. Chelsea’s defence is good, but not that good. They cannot simply sit back and let the home side at them.
So maybe, just maybe – we will see the Blues give this one a real go. Neutrals watching the game will certainly hope so, making over 2.5 goals at 4/6 with Ladbrokes.
Chelsea edged the previous meeting between these two earlier this season and it could go the way of the home side again in an entertaining contest.
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From this point on, can anyone stop City?
Recommended bet:
Chelsea to win and BTTS @ 5/2 with Coral
Thomas Rooney is the Editor of FootballTips.com – the best place for this weekend’s Premier League tips
Gus Poyet now believes in miracles. And after he led his Sunderland side to mathematical Premier League safety, with one game remaining, they have become just the second side in the history of the league to survive relegation after being rock bottom on Christmas.
Seeing the jubilant celebrations of the Sunderland fans – starkly contrasted to the disconsolate fans of Cardiff City, Fulham, and Norwich City – leaves behind a genuine sense of justice. The football gods have acted, and they are shining favourably on those clubs who made the right decisions, at the right times.
The fortunes of a club like Sunderland – West Ham and Crystal Palace too – demonstrate that when big decisions are made correctly by the men at the top of the tree, it can have huge ramifications for the clubs at the bottom.
Everybody is a genius with hindsight. And it’s easy for me to sit here and say that certain clubs got it wrong and others got it right when the table is staring me in the face. But few would have argued at the time against Sunderland’s removal of Paolo Di Canio, Crystal Palace’s recruitment of Tony Pulis, or West Ham sticking by Sam Allardyce. Homogeneously, Cardiff City’s treatment of Malky Mackay, and Norwich’s panic sacking of Chris Hughton could probably have been filed under the ‘bad decisions’ category, prior to their subsequent relegations.
There was a general consensus that, despite gaining promotion for Palace, that Ian Holloway was out of his depth. Three points from just eight games left Palace rooted firmly to the foot of the table, with few giving them any hope of survival. Holloway had done what he could, but he tried too hard to change a winning formula in order to adapt to the rigours of Premier League life. Six months later and, with Tony Pulis in charge, the Eagles are comfortably placed as a mid-table side. Even in the most optimistic Palace fan’s wildest dreams, they could not have predicted that.
Similarly, few would have argued when Di Canio was shown the exit by Sunderland. Having picked up just one point from five games by late September, the Italian had won few fans during his short spell in the north-east. His ‘management by hand grenade’ approach wasn’t liked by a number of the Sunderland players – many of whom found themselves marginalised by Di Canio – whilst his self-proclaimed fascist ideals isolated him from many supporters offended by his political leanings.
West Ham, despite finding themselves in 19th position at the turn of the year, recognised the quality they possessed in-house. Who would most teams struggling at the foot of the table wish to have to turn their fortunes around? Big Sam would be right near the top of that list. He may not be the most popular man in East London right now – with his style of football proving divisive amongst West Ham fans – but when avoiding relegation is the game, Sam Allardyce is the name.
Contrast these decisions – and subsequent fortunes – to those of Cardiff, Fulham, and Norwich exhibits the necessities of a level-headed and rational owner. Each of these three clubs fell victim to the ‘hire and fire’ culture in football management – with ill-thought out, rash decision-making – and are now paying the penalty.
When Cardiff sacked Malky Mackay, they were in 16th place, having accrued 18 points from 19 games. Now, sitting afoot the table, they have accumulated just 12 more points from the last 18 games. In ridding themselves of the extremely popular Mackay, Cardiff instated a man with zero English football management experience in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Fulham’s new owner, Shahid Khan, claimed Martin Jol would be given the time to overcome their poor form, only to dismiss him after a 3-0 defeat to West Ham in December. Ex-Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen was elected to solve their problems, only to fire him after two months of work.
Chris Hughton was given the boot with just five games of the season remaining. Sitting five points above the relegation zone, and heading into a crucial run of fixtures, Norwich destabilised the situation by intervening during a vital period. The board bent to the fans’ calls for Hughton to be axed, and they’ve collected just one point since.
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The firing of managers in the Premier League this season has reached new levels. Since the first match of the season, 10 managers have been fired. If Alan Pardew and Big Sam are to face the same fate come the summer, then Brendan Rodgers would be the second-longest serving manager in the league behind Arsene Wenger.
Obviously, this is all with a measure of hindsight. From a very peripheral position – from the outside, looking in – it feels as though justice has been served. The cream always rises to the top. And the same applies to football club owners. The bad have been punished, whilst the good have been rewarded.