Opinion: Potter has lost the fans

The hype, the man and the favourite manager for the hipsters, Graham Potter has fallen out with massive parts of the Chelsea fanbase. Genuinely, it is the board of directors and the owner that decides his fate. While the public disdain and the anger is getting at him.

Some might say… why don’t they give him time. Well, it isn’t that sort of club and only thanks to the predecessor… if not… the club would be deep into the relegation zone as we speak. Chelsea is closer to the final three of the league than ever getting into a European Competition. The London club is free-falling and curiously enough. The leadership on top wants to “trust” the “process”.

Potter might be a nice guy. Heck he has rose through the ranks and gotten bigger and bigger roles. His gone from the lowest and beyond the beaches of Southern England and gotten shine. He has taken managerial positions or coaching gigs not only on the continent, but also been a technical director or whatnot for a Ghana Woman’s team. So, he has tested himself not only in the United Kingdom, but in Sweden and elsewhere.

Now… this is the hard one. The records his breaking isn’t doing him no good. The manner of which the team is playing is shoddy. There is little redeeming factors for him. Chelsea doesn’t look like or sound like it used too. Especially not right after the Abramovich era, as the titles and the prestige have grown even higher.

Graham Potter has gotten a massive squad. The owner has invested into the players and that should improve the results. However, it is the total opposite. It is like Potter don’t know what to do or has any clue on how to blend these different personalities together. There got to be fixed 11 which he trusts with a few subs that he knows will fight for the position. That’s what a team should have, but under Potter it doesn’t, which is one reasons why the team is struggling to produce results.

Potter should know this. It is basic. A team needs a starting 11 and subs who can change the game. That’s the code and the tactic or philosophy, which is imprinted in the players. In such a fashion that they believe and wants to play for the manager. They are seeing how it bear fruits and they can deliver within that framework. However, in the current Chelsea… no that’s not happening at all.

It is hard to imagine Chelsea getting relegated after all these years of top 4 and participation in the Champions League. A team that have been in a golden era. A club that has become a giant, but is now looking fragile. It is a mystery but also baffling.

Right now Potter is running a team that doesn’t know how to score goals and neither keep a clean sheet. There is little to no redemption here. No signs that any of the signed players are bleeding for kit either. They are just there for a massive pay-day and years-upon-years long contracts. The Winston Bogards of our time.

Sigh. The blues are singing the blues. That is clear and does who thought Everton was badly off. They have at least hope that Dyche can deliver the objective and save the season. However, in Chelsea the alarm-bells should be ringing, but the American is either oblivious or arrogant in his ways. Thinking he knows better, as his playing in real life Football Manager and thinking he can juice it all up. He just need to get the right “wonder-kid” and the team will blossom. Peace.

Opinion: Gerrard wasn’t ready

Steven Gerrard was appointed in the middle of last season in November 2021. He was supposed to bring a refreshing view and perspective. As a man of the future after winning the Scottish League with Glasgow Rangers the season before. However, yesterday was his final day as the Aston Villa Manager.

Gerrard have certainly a legacy on the pitch for Liverpool. Nevertheless, he hasn’t been long or seasoned as a manager yet. He went quickly and fast into the role as manager in Aston Villa. Maybe he wasn’t prepared for the challenge.

Some might say he never had the time or ability to implement his sort of squad or tactics for the matter. Aston Villa was supposed to be a top 10 or trying to reach the top 6 in a short space or time. However, Gerrard wasn’t the character for this club.

Aston Villa was supposed to reach new heights and build the club even further. It made it further seems like Gerrard was using the club as a stepping stone. This was just a place for him and a building his CV. Instead of delivering or trying to excel here.

Gerrard was a supposed legend and he should later become the successor of Klopp in Liverpool. That must have been an Achilles heel for him. Since, how could he build or be a future man for Villa when he was just in the waiting to return to Liverpool.

Here is a big name that failed in his role. It is likely that he wasn’t the fit in the first place or his name was to big for the role his occupying. Gerrard should have considered this and tried to connect himself more to the club. He needs to build trust and confidence. Especially, after the board got rid of respected and a man that had delivered for Villa in the past. This being the newly sacked manager Dean Smith.

When Gerrard came from Rangers he had just achieved a title and gotten the club back to the European Competition. Nevertheless, he didn’t have back-to-back titles in the Scottish League. He was able to return Rangers to prominence, but that was expected. It isn’t like Rangers is a small or insignificant club. It wasn’t like Airdrieonians Football Club or Airdrie from a small-timer to a big shot over years. No, he restructured Rangers and got them back.

Gerrard should have footed himself differently. Stevie G shouldn’t have experimented as much as he did. He was also unfortunate to loose Grealish. He got the players which was bought in his stead. Some of them wasn’t able to push or get into the Premier League that fast. This has hit him hard and his own signings hasn’t hit the ground running either.

Gerrard maybe went to high and to fast. Stevie G needs to prove himself and be more consistent. He needs to prove that his able to re-ignite and deliver astonishing results. Gerrard cannot just think his name can carry it all. It is proven now that it’s not enough. Then he will do like Wayne Rooney and end up in the MLS. Instead of where he wants to be at.

Gerrard needs to re-think his ways and how he operates to able to succeed as manager. Gerrard could easily end up like Solskjær and be “untouchable” after the final stint in Manchester United. Even if he did deliver a second place during his tenure. Because, you need results and prove that your progress. There is a need to show character and will to thrive. In this here game, there is nothing given to you. The manager always has to prove and evolve. Never be stagnate and be gullible.

It seemed like for the last two months that Gerrard was a “dead man walking” and a “sacked in the morning” type of guy. The latest was the crushing defeat against Fulham after dozens of bad results. He didn’t deliver and the club don’t have the time to wait on promise. They need returns and they need it quickly. Gerrard didn’t deliver stability or progress. He only made it seem worse and now was in the midst of a downturn. Not the sort of outlook he came in with.

Gerrard needs to take a challenge and needs more experience. He needs to touch lower levels League’s and managerial experiences there. He needs to show that he can carry the weight and succeed. Because, if he does and returns to another club with that baggage. Gerrard might have a chance of redemption.

Since right now… it’s grim and looking bad for him. He looks like a sorry man who was to early out and wasn’t ready. He needs to get prepared and have the tactical skills to outsmart his competition. That wasn’t it in Aston Villa and that’s why his gone. Peace.

Opinion: Ten Hag should regret that he left Ajax

The Manchester United Manager, Erik Ten Hag are clearly struggling to grasp his new club and the challenge, which is ahead of him. The job he has is massive and the others has failed before him. Ever since Alex Ferguson retired, no one has able to contain or build a team at the club. That’s why he won’t have the time or the ability to build much confidence before his saga at the club is over.

Ten Hag has only had two Premier League matches. One home and one Away. Both has ended in disaster. One a loss to Brighton & Hove Albion 1-2 at Old Trafford and today losing 4-0 to Brentford away at Brentford (Gtech) Community Stadium. Certainly the 1-6 in goal difference and zero points is a horrific start of the season. None of these matches was against title contenders or any sort of team that is expected to get to Euro League or anything. No, these are teams that expected to avoid relegation and that’s about it.

The Dutch Manger who has been successful in the Eredivisie. That’s why he built himself a name with FC Utrecht and Ajax. The latter is where he won titles and also did well as reach Semi-Finals in the Champions League, and the Quarter-Finals in the Euro League. So, it’s not like he doesn’t have a track-record and done an amazing job in Ajax. That has been obvious and this is why so many of players was sold to bigger clubs.

However, now where he resides it’s different. Whatever results he had in pre-Season doesn’t matter. The cups or so called titles in practice matches are pointless. The Premier League and the results are the ones that matters the most. The ability to reach Champions League and be a title contender. The Manchester United club isn’t supposed to look this awful.

There is so much expectation and history, which haunts the club. That’s why anybody following Ferguson has fallen off. The club has had Moyes, Mourinho, Solskjær and Rangnick. All of them has been there and later crashed. The club has just hired them and later sacked them. While keeping plenty of players and stars on their pay-roll. This has further made the rot evident and clear.

There big names and supposed wonder-boys who was supposed to shine. However, it hasn’t materialized in years. The people from the academy haven’t brought things up to speed as well. There is no signs of redemption and so much lost time. Hack work and few signings from each who has been there. Now it seems like there is no vision or attitude of how the club wants to be run. They are either trying to get the ones to sell the most T-Shirts or Merchandise, but not the characters that build a functioning team.

Ten Hag has not only very little to no time. The sort of results at Brentford isn’t taken lightly. Neither is the loss to Brighton at home. These sorts of things has to be flukes. It is a reason why OGS was fazed out. Now the Dutch Manager has to revive and build a team. A team that he got no time to build. The results just has to appear and there will be “borrowed” time to fix it or adjust. He just got to find the tools and get the players to follow his paradigm shift. Because, what the world is seeing right now isn’t working.

These days… I wouldn’t feel bad or feel like he betrayed his new club. If Ten Hag said he missed Ajax. That was his wonder years and where he had success. Now his come to place and a league he has no time to grow into. Manchester United is an unforgiving place and a club with huge expectations. These results cannot be prolonged and sooner or later he has to show PlayStation football against an opponent. Because, what we are seeing right now isn’t doing him any good.

Ten Hag era will end in tears. It is just starting and this is looking grim. Peace.

Opinion: Lampard needs the great escape [or an act of mercy from the ones fighting with him in the relegation zone]

The bet on the novice or less qualified manager Frank Lampard has certainly not paid off. In 12 Premier League matches since taking over. Lampards team has won 3 matches, 1 draw and 8 lost. That is a terrible stat, as the Goodison Park and Evertonians are working to survive the league this year.

What is striking as the management goes along is that Lampard haven’t been anywhere near the pressure or test as manager before. His assistant Paul Clement might be more experienced and even been in hot-water in the past. Still, that doesn’t save him this time around. After today’s loss against arch-rival and losing the Merseyside Derby on Anfield.

Lampard is for the first time in the direct relegation zone. He was only appointed or hired on the 31^st January 2022. So, everyone can say he has little to no time to make a difference. Nevertheless, when you are trailing and falling like Everton. There is a need for restructuring the squad and figure out a way to grind out results.

However, we can see that Everton and Lampard haven’t done that. As the rest of the season is a real test for him too. What is striking is that lowest points to ever save a club in the Premier League have been with West Bromwich Albion (WBA) who was able to avoid relegation with 34 points. By now that will depend on the current form of Burnley and Leeds, which is just above the line.

Everton has only two “easier” matches left of the season against Watford away on the 11^th May and Brentford at home on the 15^th May. While they are also meeting Chelsea, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Arsenal. Which are matches that could easily become bloody for them and be dreadful in the form their in. There is no consistency so these are easy favourites ahead of these games.

Burnley is meeting Watford in the next match and also meeting Aston Villa twice. While meeting even harder competitors in Newcastle and Tottenham. Though these two team will have nothing to play for and Tottenham could already be out the possibility to get into Champions League next season. Therefore, as Burnley is in better form and actually gets points. Their two points advantage can be very favourable. Especially, if Burnley wins over Watford in the next round and Everton loses against Chelsea.

That’s why the next few matches are crucial, but we shouldn’t consider a sudden change or a new football philosophy. Lampard have no time or ability to get that into play. Heck, he don’t have the squad or the morale to make things change rapidly. While Burnley and the players have fought this battle more recent and know how to play this one out. Even when Burnley is without Sean Dyche and has interim player manager Ben Mee.

Frank Lampard took a chance taking this appointment. This was maybe more promising than Norwich or anywhere else. Everton has been struggling and there is no promise on the horizon now. The last few matches proves that and the stats for Lampard isn’t looking great either.

Lampard will most likely have an Everton relegation on his CV. That is not something you want and certainly not being known for doing so either. His bringing the biggest club to the Championship in living memory. The sort of club that talked of entering European Cups and getting possibly into Champions League within a stretch. Instead it is getting relegated with a mismatch of a squad, fallen wonder-kids and a massive wage-bill. Which will deplete the possibility to get much players to ensure a quick return to the Premier League. As the Championship is a tough and brutal league. Where most of them are fighting and spending over revenue to get ahead, and get promoted as swiftly as possible.

That’s why Lampard isn’t a favourable position now and not surely going to get any better next season either. As the club is fatigued, lack of structure and overspending. In the mix of not having a direct and experienced Sporting Director or having any sort of long-term plan on the scouting or transfers.

There haven’t been a plan and each manager of late has done a lot on their own. That’s why the team is filled with players bought and preferred by the previous managers. While the ones gotten in the last transfer window by Lampard haven’t done much either. Van der Beek and Dele Ali haven’t shown much, if any at this point. They are all part of the problem and the trouble will only get much worse as the season is coming to a close.

Everton is in a relegation battle and has little to no hope. Other clubs has to possible save them. I doubt Lampard or any of this players has the greatest escape in them. Burnley seems more fit and Leeds don’t need much to graze into safety. That’s why Everton has to do it on their own. The matches of Watford and Brentford will be the vital ones, but by then… Burnley might have made it a bridge to far. Which should be the fear of Lampard.

He is now in a grim place and nearly impossible to avoid the relegation. That got to sting. He gambled and so did the Everton Directors Board… the club is losing and doing so quickly. The stats aren’t even on Lampard’s side either. That’s why….

Everton is sinking… while no one is finding the reason or trying to figure out how to save the people on deck. No, they are just hoping an act of mercy or luck will save them. This is not going well and the Merseyside derby will be gone from Premier League next season. Peace.

Opinion: Burnley deserve relegation now

“Firstly, we would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Sean and his staff for their achievements at the Club over the last decade” – Alan Pace (15.04.2022).

The owners and board of Burnley Football Club has today sacked manager Sean Dyche. Dyche has been the Burnley manager since 31^st October 2012. He was the manager for the total of 425 matches. Where he was able to get the club up twice from the Championship. The first time got them up in the 2013/14 season and the club returned back to Premier League in 2016/17.

So, until today… the Dyche kept the club up for 6 seasons in a row, even if he had gotten the club relegated this season. Which is an achievement in itself and with the financial levels of Burnley. Burnley is the underdog and has been so.

Dyche was even able to get Burnley to the 7^th Position in the Premier League in the 2017/18 season. Last season the club just avoided relegation with a 17^th Position in the 2020/21. With this in mind, the club haven’t invested or ensured the manager could strengthen his squad. Therefore, the sacking today with 8 matches to go is foolish.

It is only in September 2021, the club said this after signing a new 4 year contract with Dyche: “Burnley Football Club is delighted to announce manager Sean Dyche and assistant manager Ian Woan have both signed new long-term deals until the end of the 2024-25 season. The deal secures Dyche’s future at the club for another four years as the Clarets compete in a sixth-successive season in the Premier League. The longest-serving manager in the Premier League will be extending a successful nine-year spell at the helm which has seen two promotions from the Championship, two top-half Premier League finishes and qualification for Europe for the first time in 51 years” (Burnley, 16.09.2021).

Today, this is the statement by the same club: “Burnley Football Club can confirm the Club has parted company with manager Sean Dyche, assistant manager Ian Woan, first-team coach Steve Stone and goalkeeping coach Billy Mercer” (Burnley, 15.04.2022).

It is really a strange timing of sacking Dyche. As his four points behind Everton and still had time to save the club. If someone would make it possible. It would be likes of Dyche. Now, the club is searching for a replacement and they have no transfer-window to get players fitting the new manager. The club is throwing a curveball in the middle of the battle against relegation.

With that in mind. The club deserves to go down now. They are not prepared and taking away a man that has the experience and the managerial charisma to save them. He has proven them and the new owners clearly cannot see that. They want quick results and not to build with actually money. The new owners has piled up debt on the club, but not invested in it. That’s why his getting the short end of the stick.

Dyche has proven his abilities and capable of. The next club to have him as manager should feel lucky. Since, he can do so much with so little transfer kit and only with his drive behind it. Burnley still had matches, which it could achieve victories and possibly pass Everton on the table. That wasn’t over just yet.

When a club does this and takes away the foundation for why it’s in the Premier League. The owners will struggle to find someone who will be able and create what he did there. The club now deserves to fail and Burnley has shown that it will not make things better. It don’t matter now. The club has betrayed its fans and the ones that made it possible for it to be there. Burnley was lucky to have someone as wise and able to achieve what he did.

The board of directors and such should look into itself. They better get Jesus Christ to resurrect in the next match or get the best manager of the decade to come to Burnley. Because, they need a miracle now and dropping Dyche at this very moment is reckless.

8 matches to go… Burnley deserve an award for bad timing and lack of clarity. Because, this sacking doesn’t make sense. Sean Dyche was the man to save it and no one can take that away from him. The new owners did… but they will not carry the club or the legacy of Dyche.

No matter who comes in now. They will not be able takeover and make a difference within such a short time. The biggest name and most experience of them all. However, that person don’t know the players or their form. The one who knew that is already sacked and he also know perfectly well what was at stake. He has already been relegated twice. Therefore, he knew and knows what was ahead of him. Dyche had been there before and with the same club.

That’s why Burnley in April 2022 deserves the relegation now. They are by default making it possible with the tensions and uncertainty of staff. Which will cause issues with the players and bury them even further. This is why the club deserves it now.

Most of us… would have hoped that Dyche would save them yet again. In front of Everton and show that the stability and the resilience of Burnley matters. Now… we won’t mind, because the owners took away the man that built the club and made things possible there. In the lack of time and opportunities they sacked him. If it had been when the season was over. It would have made some sense and then the new manager could come in with fresh air ahead of next season.

Now… it is just throwing a curveball and hoping something would stick. That’s bad planning and even worse as a strategy. However, that is what Pace and the other directors are hoping for. Peace.

Opinion: Everton is in a relegation battle with a wildcard manager

The Evertonians should worry about the state of the club. They have been worried for a long time. Times has not become better with Carlo Ancelotti or Rafa Benitez. None of these managers has delivered or made changes which made the club any better. There been years since Everton had the stability of David Moyes or even results worthy of the first season of Roberto Martinez.

Everton is a big club and supposed to be a staple in the Premier League. However, the club is now on shaky grounds. They have appointed Frank Lampard in the end of January 2022 and right before the transfer window was closed. Just in the nick of time, so he could loan Van Der Beek (Manchester United) and get Dele Ali (from Tottenham). Together this trio was supposed to make a huge difference and get results.

Since then Everton has won over Brentford and Leeds at home. However, the rest of the results has been abysmal and not giving much hope. The club is trailing and only one point above the relegation. Newcastle is far off the map now. While Everton should worry about Burnley and Watford. These clubs are used to relegation battle and Everton is not.

While Watford has their own troubles and has hired Roy Hodgson, which in itself isn’t a bargain either. Yes, Hodgson built a stable and hard-working team in Crystal Palace. However, he has only a small window and a less of a stellar chance to save this one. Burnley on the other hand has bought a talented striker and know what they are in for. They have a seasoned coach and manager in Sean Dyche. So, even if they are one point behind Everton. No one should underestimate Burnley and their sudden ability to get points. We have seen that before and no one should be in shock and awe in 2022.

That’s why I have a hard time believing in Everton now. Not because I want Everton anything ill. However, their current form and the mediocre display isn’t sufficient in the times ahead. Neither is the misfits and lack of profiling of players recruited over the last few seasons. As the leftover squad players of other teams in combination with former wonder-boys are not making it a strong outing.

Lampard is a gamble and risk to hire himself. He has not a long stint as a manager anywhere. Neither did he succeed in the second second and Tuchel has galvanized the same squad after his sacking in Chelsea. Therefore, Lampard has to suddenly turn this mediocre squad into winners and he got no time.

He needs to get Calvert-Lewin energized, Rondon to become a steady force on top, Dele Ali inspired and creative again, Andros Townsend active, Fabian Delph into a wall, Seamus Coleman into a running riot and make Jordan Pickford into a superior goalie. This is just something he needs to do. Everton needs their vital players in amazing form and in great spirit.

Alas, in the last 10 matches in the league they have only one victory and one draw. The rest is losses. Also in addition to that, in the league, the club haven’t scored goals since 12^th February. That is close to a month without a goal and only conceding. The next two matches will be very important to grab, as the opponents are Wolverhampton and Newcastle at home. If there is anything to go by, these might be the last straw for the club this season.

Because after this… Everton is meeting West Ham, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester, Brentford and Arsenal. It is not like the club has an easy ending of the season. It is meeting contenders for the top spots of the league. They are also meeting mid-level teams that can beat anyone at any given time, which is far from walkovers. The only team that is open and a team the club has won over earlier in the season is Brentford. Therefore, the final games are coming up at a rapid speed. There will be nothing easy here and Lampard has to prove his worth.

That Lampard is part of it now. He got to prove that his name is worthy. Frank Lampard has to push and ensure safety. In a battle against relegation. A battle he has never been in as a manager and neither with a squad like this either. This is why his novice ways might be useful or become it’s curse. As he don’t know what buttons or what strategies to tactically get them out of the quagmire. Its not like he knows to build a steady defence or parking the bus. He has to become a great manager and with barely enough experience. It is not his a Allerdyce or Everton’s own Mike Walker.

Everton is maybe in a similar season as 1993/1994 when the club had to fight on the last day of the league to stay up and only survived because Sheffield United lost. The great escape under the reigns of Mike Walker. Now, Frank Lampard maybe have to pull of a similar feat on the final day. If not he has to get the vital points against Brentford. Because, the Premier League is a tight race and in the relegation battle. Every point matters and the matches Everton has isn’t leaving much to chance. If there is any… the points has to be taken in the coming one and with this form. It seems hard to impossible. As the goals are not there and luck isn’t either.

When he took the job in the end of 30^th January 2022, I said Lampard had an unforgiving job. However, it has only gotten worse and lack of results is detrimental now. They are not even close to mid-level or get mid-league into safety. No, they are at the bottom and just lucky they are not into direct relegation zone. Just one point above and 11 matches to go. None of these are certain points or walkovers.

That’s why Lampard to sprinkle some magic dust and be able to inspire his recruits, misfits and outcast into world-class. I hope to see it coming. Everton going down would be a sad day for the Premier League, but that is a result of mismanagement over the years. Wild spending on wild-cards and not proper recruitment of players. Neither steady sports management or having managers who build a squad. Therefore…

Lampard now has to throw the dice and hope to get six eyes. That is his risk and his gamble. Now, we have to see how he carries this in the weeks ahead. Peace.

Opinion: Lampard has an unforgiving job at Everton

That Frank Lampard got this job is all because of his stature and his name. It is not like he has a managerial record or proof of confidence to do this. He was lucky in the role of Chelsea and did above average in Derby County. However, Lampard didn’t prove anything in his second season in Chelsea.

That’s why neither Everton or Lampard is getting a great deal. The people at Goodison Park and Toffee Blue should be worried. As they have had Ancelotti and Benitez… which have both made their purchases of players and tried to forge a way. Nevertheless, the club is getting from bad to worse. That’s why the club is so close to relegation at this point.

Everton has spent a small fortune on players, they have bought and bought players without anything to prove from it. It is a long time Martinez delivered one good season and Moyes stability at the club. These times are long gone… and Everton clearly needs stability and a plan forward.

Since, the half-assing the way forward is only brining things closer to the edge. Lampard has to be given time and at the same time… he has to secure the place and a mid-league position with ease. The expectation is huge and he has deliver.

This club is in shambles, the club is weak and the current form is abysmal. Yes, usually a new manager is able to spark a brief upswing in results. However, that will not last forever. That might save the club, which is just above relegation. Nevertheless, Everton is supposed to be more than that.

Everton last win in the League was in early December and before that the next victory was against Norwich in September. So, it is not like the moral or the players are highly motivated. The team must get inspired and get a vision to move ahead. This is just looking depressing and Lampard has to prove that his more than a legendary player turned manager.

Lampard has to save this club from relegation and do it in style. He cannot walk on water or take it easy. There will be no soft exit and if he doesn’t succeed. The sacking will be painful and the chances of another role will be dimmer.

Frank gets this shot, because other managers has dipped out. They have said “no” and “not interested”. Everton isn’t a secure place and neither is the squad filled with massive stars. The club is filled with players with some potential and with experience in the Premier League. However, these are not playmakers or one-man shows that can carry the club alone. This means, the manager have to make the collective strong and capable to beat anyone.

This means Lampard has to invest time into a system and a theory of which the players believe in and see the results of. Lampard has to sell an idea and a way to play, which shows the club a way forward and secure the present. That’s what he got to do and in no time. Since, there is no trial and shortcuts. The risk of failure and losing out, means they will be relegated and the club cannot afford that. Neither can Lampard who will have lost credibility doing so…

Lampard is taking a risk here and is here because of his name. The name will not carry him now. His not at Stamford Bridge and getting the glory. No, his at Goodison Park and has dwell in mediocrity at the moment. He has to inspire and ensure the drive forward. Which he has to do from day one … and its an unforgiving job, as the expectations are bigger than what the club can produce at this very moment. No matter who is at the helm. Peace.

Union des Comores: Presidence de la Republique – Communique (25.01.2022)

Opinion: Manchester United needs to axe Solskjær

At this point of time the Manchester United Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the former caretaker and later hired manager for full-time since 2018. There was at one point of time looking like there was progress and more of a structure in the play. However, those days are now gone.

The United team has been in tatters all of October and November 2021. There only been one victory over Tottenham. The rest have been tragic and humiliating results, which is starting to pile-up on him. After twelve rounds in the league he has 5 losses and 5 victories. That isn’t a sign of strength, but of serious weakness.

OGS after last season was supposed to continue the path of building a strong team. Solskjær was getting new recruits in defence, midfield and attack, which all could boost the team significantly. As a manager with the new signings of Varane, Ronaldo and Sancho. He should have the system and momentum on his side. However, that isn’t evident.

The results are stinking. They are aggravating and the loss to Young Boys seems like a pattern now. OGS should make it look like he has control, but that isn’t how it looks. Instead, it seems like his losing the players and they are talking about their grievances to the press. That shouldn’t happen and with huge egos. The manager needs to show character and a plan forward.

Solskjær seems to be lost. Just like the team is often on the pitch now. He got talented and skilled players, but he doesn’t seem to get them into either a formation or philosophy to win. At United that shouldn’t be the case. He could partly get away with this at Cardiff. The short stint it was in Wales. However, this is just prolonging the agony for everyone now.

OGS should see the writing on the wall. The former team legend and player under Sir Alex Ferguson is now on borrowed time. The Glazers will only save his behind, if their investment is still cashing in. When the buck stops, they will axe him too. At this point in time and with Woodward in control for now. He might survive another day, but he cannot fail much more.

This manager have humiliated the team at City, Liverpool and now Watford. OGS let Watford walk all over the team and mock them. Losing 4-1 away to Watford is a disgraceful thing to do as a United Manager. Yes, the team is at fault, but the manager is the first to blame. He is the man who decides and makes the selection of players. It is his tactics and the manifestation on the pitch isn’t there.

Solskjær seems to fail at this and isn’t able to rise above this crisis. The team was boosted and gotten new manpower. However, that isn’t reflected in the results and instead its getting worse. The manager should have gotten more steady defensively with Varane and the midfield should be more inspiring with Sancho. Nevertheless, OGS haven’t utilised this or other acquisitions in his time. Just like Van Der Beek have been lingering on the bench. While Fred and others have been stinking up the place.

It is a reason why the team is lacking and the manager isn’t able to revitalize the squad. The manager doesn’t have the character or finesse to push them. He is to meek or soft to push these stars into action. In the season 2019/20 he came third in the league and last year came 2^nd placed. Now, his trailing in 7^th place and several points behind the big teams in top four. His soon at the levels of which he became the caretaker in 2018/19. That says it all about his failure to progress the team.

OGS should have stabilized the team and ensure some sort of winning points formula. He has already two seasons behind him. The man should have shown it, but at this moment it is like he cannot grasp what is ahead of him. The sort of steady losses only ensure his possible demise. Nobody will blame the board or the club to sack him now. It would be risky to be another season outside of Champions League. Especially, after getting such huge names and big signings ahead of the season.

Solskjær will not a be a well sought out manager after this either. He was lucky enough to get hired and have these years as a manager in Manchester United. OGS got it because of his legacy and former player at the club. He didn’t get it on merit or acclaimed managerial resume. No, he got it because of his long-foot at the Champions League final many years ago.

OGS is lucky this lasted this long. That he was able to pull of the last two seasons and the caretaker period. That he was able to do that is more than enough. It is just painful to follow him now. Just like it was the months when he was in the dugout at Cardiff. To be blunt, it is even worse now. Because, there he had nothing to loose, but at United he destroys his whole credibility.

Solskjær is lucky if he survives this loss against Watford. He knows that too. There is little to give now and he needed results to keep the job. Now it is just a matter of who takes over and this terrible display cannot continue. There is no saving grace here. Peace.

Opinion: Tottenham isn’t serious if they appoint Conte now

The London Club and supposed to be pride of North London hires Antonio Conte as the manager now in November 2021. Than the club is an unserious and as badly run as it can be. Conte is going into a mediocre club and without any clear ambition. Neither is there any sort of plan or agreed way forward either.

Conte will burn out his steam quickly. It was a reason why Jose Mourinho didn’t get the job done and didn’t thrive there. This is all Daniel Levy and his way of steering the club. He doesn’t care, as long as the results are decent enough and he gets the club into a European competition. So, he can buy some cheap upstarts, recruits and stalwarts elsewhere. Not like he will buy class or spend fortunes on the squad. That’s why Conte didn’t want to go there in the first place and his salary demands was to high.

Mauricio Pochettino has success with the club and he was able to stabilize the club. However, that wasn’t enough either. He couldn’t even get the time or ability to turn a bad start of season. They just booted him like old dirty fries. No matter what sort of results he had in the past and what sort of style of the play he was able to make onto the pitch. It just didn’t matter for Levy. He couldn’t risk the gravy train in a European competition.

That’s why Nuno Espírito Santo who was the former Wolverhampton manager since 2017 and before that had short stints in FC Porto, Valencia and Rio Ave FC. So, he had some experience before coming into Spurs. However, with the defensive style and the lack of results. It was inevitable. Levy will not risk European Conference League or the Euro League for that matter. Not like the squad right now is made for the Champions League.

Tottenham is unserious when they had the chance to give Conte the transfer window and the time to build the squad in his vision before the season. Conte was out of contract and had left Inter Milan. His a well sought prospect and a manager who delivers results. That is what his known for and his CV speaks for itself. However, it comes with a tag and a ambition as well.

That ambition and drive isn’t in North London. Tottenham isn’t up to scratch or even close to the ideals of Conte. His a mismatch. If you thought Mourinho was bad. Just imagine a younger generation and a more aspiring man coming in where he left off. Not like Nuno had any time or ability to turn the ship around. The Portuguese and Santomean manager had no chance what so ever to succeed here. He should have seen the red-flags the manner of which his predecessor was fired. That should be the blinking light of destruction. There was no way Nuno could survive this mission. Unless, a miracle would appear and some of the squad members would deliver world-class every single touch on the pitch. That’s not happening and that’s obvious.

Conte will not last long in Tottenham. Unless, Levy and the board of directors suddenly is doling money like drunk sailors. That Conte can go to the candy store and pick all the candies he wants. If that’s happening. There is some hope that he last about 18 months or so before burning out. Alas, this will not be a long term fix. Not like Conte has stayed long somewhere, but his results has been stellar. No one should ever deny that fact and his method is to win titles.

Tottenham and Conte will be a disaster. There will be hurricanes, storms and earthquakes come to North London. There will not be peace at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. I cannot see it coming and we need a Christmas miracle to make that happen. Maybe even give Conte some big transfer moves in January 2022. I cannot see that coming, but there is always hope for something supernatural. Maybe even another Sheik or Arabian Prince will takeover this club as well. So, that Levy will not bleed or need plasma to donate for the cause. Since, it is hard to believe he will do this. It is just not happening… Peace.