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: 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.

Opinion: Benitez will walk alone on this one

Rafael Benítez was appointed on the 30^th June 2021 as the Everton manager. He is taking over for Carlo Ancelotti who returned recently to Real Madrid for his second stint as manager there. Benitez isn’t a random bloke or a fella walking into Stanley Park as a manager.

No, his a former legendary manager of Liverpool. The arch-rival at Anfield. The one who had the miracle in Istanbul and secured Liverpool the Champions League. That’s who Benitez is. Yes, he has shown he is capable of making a winning team, but that is long time ago now.

Still, his tenure at Liverpool lingers on. What he said and how he acted. He has long since then worked for Dalian Professionals in China ahead of this appointment. So, it is not like his coming from a winning streak or a place of prestige.

No, Benitez is living of his name. The owners has picked him because of his past glories. Just like they did with Ancelotti. There was a lot of promise, but not the execution for it. Benitez needs to hit the ground running and prove his skills. He cannot live on borrowed time here.

Rafa needs to show results and quickly. That with a mismatch of players, a squad that has been expensively bought over the years, but not with a long term plan. Where several of other managers have picked their choices and possibilities, but not delivered.

There are promise in the team and on a good day. Everton can beat anyone on a good day and when the key players are in form. However, that isn’t everyday and that was visible the last two seasons. Even with Ancelotti spending like a drunk sailor and continuing to haemorrhaging players, which some he didn’t even use like King.

That’s why at this current time. Everton isn’t based to go anywhere. Benitez is questioned just for his past history and words. As he now joins the ranks of a small club and that will linger on until he gets a slice of silver-wear.

Benitez have made this one hard on himself. He knows what he did and that cannot be forgotten. He has now gone from the red to the blue side of the city. From Bill Shankly to Duncan Ferguson. That is just the reality of this.

This will not be an easy walk and here he might have to walk alone actually. It is a unforgiving route his taking. As it is not like it is just water under the bridge. No, this man is walking in the steps of Michael Owen and others who went from one team to a rival. The same he has done now and that will be questioned, as long as his in-charge.

Benitez cannot just fumble the club and play along. He got to deliver and with a mediocre squad and with uncertain transfer kitty. In combination with distrust from the fans and the general supporters of the sport. Since he has gone from one side to the other.

That’s why I don’t want to be in Benitez shoes right now. The walk alone and without the people behind you. That got to be tough. Even for a seasoned and well travelled man like Rafa. He got to feel it too.

The only thing that will redeem him here is actual results and progress. He needs to do like Martinez did in his first season to have hope to keep this going. That’s what he needs and that’s the only way out.

If not there will be quickly singing in the stands: “Rafa sacked in the morning” Peace.

Opinion: Ancelotti will not be missed in Everton

Well, it is about that time. Carlo Ancelotti is a well known manager. A manager who has won titles across the continent. His name is synonymous with winning titles and creating history in the clubs he has managed. Alas, that never became the case with Everton.

Not that the stint he had in Everton was long enough or had the ability in the transfer-windows to achieve that. Still, there was a lot of unfinished business and uncertainty ahead of him. He did the great signings of James Rodriguez and Abdoulaye Doucouré. Calvert-Lewin got a breath of fresh air and was firing in the box. Still, that wasn’t enough to cut it.

Ancelotti in his final season at Everton started like a winning team. They seemed for so long destined to be hunting for a European Cup next year. Alas, that dwindled down and became another botched season in the mid-table.

For such a renowned manager that must be defeatism. If not… he wouldn’t care, because the players, the squad and the club should feel lucky to even have him there. It was a rare occasion. As there haven’t been a manager of this character or with his CV at the club, which I can remember. Not, that the managers of Everton haven’t been good, but they have built their name there. If not used it as a stepping stone to greater later.

What is striking is that Ancelotti couldn’t do things better than the previous managers. He could get a higher position with the team than Ronald Koeman or Sam Allerdyce. While he still got some of his targeted players. This has clearly been done together with Director of Football, Marcel Brands.

The next manager has to work with him and the targets of the club. Everton has failed and you can wonder what sort of style they want to play. What’s the objective and where they want to go. Since, they gotten a lot of flack, but they a dipping in the middle and getting nowhere. While Leicester is evolving and West Ham is surpassing them.

Everton has the ability and should have the capacity of growing bigger. Become part of the top six. They have used the transfer kitty and spent funds, but not bringing in the results. Everton has used money on Yannick Bolasie and Theo Walcott, but not gotten anything really for it. That’s why they are out on loan.

Ancelotti have a possibility to build a project. He could live large on his name and his achievements of the past. That’s why he wasn’t getting any sort of scrutiny for lacking results in this season. After the promising start.

He now left for Real Madrid. Returning back after both victories elsewhere and a mediocre time in Everton. Ancelotti will not remembered for long in Everton. He came with a name and delivered very little than hope. The promise of a project and a long-term plan is now scrapped. Where someone else has to pick-up where he left off.

With a squad and a team of mixed fortunes. Former players of big-teams and players with a lot of promise. Still, Everton needs a new manager who wants to build and use the potential here. It is clearly there. Everton haven’t been able to crack the top six since 2013/14. That’s starting to be a long time ago. Ancelotti should have he character and the capabilities to build a club for this. However, that never happened here and his project wasn’t fulfilled. This is why he will not be missed. People will see it as a sideline story and a fault-line. Where someone with stature like Ancelotti promised greatness, but delivered mediocre results. Would think he wanted that narrative changed? No, his more interested in his career, than building a team like Everton. That’s why he took the open spot and could return back to Real Madrid.

The next one should aim for that and try to stabilize there. However, that will not be easy. When there so many contenders and clubs fighting to get there. Everyone aims for that and is willing to put all their bets there.

What Everton needs to do is get a structured manager to work in tandem with the Director of Football. Have a clear football philosophy and work a long-term plan ahead. Not only pick the second tier and the ones falling out of grace in the bigger clubs. Everton needs also to focus on talent like Calvert-Lewin and others who can show the greatness of the club from within. That is what all fans wants to see.

However, with the expectancy of quick results and big pay-offs instantly. That is nearly impossible. Nevertheless, the club should seek a long-term manager and not just a quick-fix. Than they will get into another Marco Silva. Who had a decent season and falling off a cliff the next one before getting sacked. The club cannot afford to do that… and Everton should try to get back to the stability and certainty of David Moyes. Though, that era is long gone. Peace.

Premier League 2015/2016 – My thoughts after ten rounds

There is now a new campaign and new matches. New stars and new clubs and promoted teams adding spice to the Premiership. The Premier League has now had ten rounds of the 38 rounds. It is an indication though still early, I will say that it shows how this might unfold. Though at a certain level shows how this campaign might be. There will be changes on the table and far from sure that those under the relegation mark. Three teams will go down to Championship. Who that might be is hard to see now, especially with how it has unfolded in recent seasons. Who wins the title isn’t easy choice either? Manchester clubs are on the top four together with West Ham. Tottenham and Crystal Palace, off the top three either Manchester club for the moment, though the strongest team right now is Manchester City.

Bournemouth is having its first ever season in the Premiership. It’s a small club with the smallest stadium in the league. But the stagnation of tactics is straining the team together with the collective damage of injuries in the team. Eddie Howe is a young and modern manager. What he already has done with club is amazing.

Watford is also a promoted team, but not new to the league, they have been here before. But the expensive and buying 13 players from coming up from the Championship has acutally worked together with getting a tactical manager in Quique Sanchez Flores. Igahlo and Deeney have showed the quality and that they are fit for the league!

Norwich went straight back after their last turn down into Championship. They have mostly the same team that went down in the last go-around. Alex Neil the Scot has done well in the club, though the recent results is frightening and looking as bad as under the last months under Chris Hughton.

Now I will take the clubs that is actually under the line at this time!

Aston Villa, one of the royalties that has been in a down-falling-spiral since the last two years of Paul Lambert’s tenure. The freshness Tim Sherwood brought saved the club for the third season in a row. Now they gone with only one victory all season, but before starting the season they lost Benteke, Delph and Weimann. Buying young talent, but not finish products. Then after 10 rounds firing Tim Sherwood! There is surely not being built squads anymore in the club, but quick fixing to save the place in the league! Will they make it this year? They might, but want be easy!

Newcastle has a new manager that has turned down the club three times, twice as Derby manager before fired there. Steve McClaren has surely a big boat to turn. Newcastle hasn’t been sparking in a long time. This is for the first season in a while there been bought players with great potential from the low-countries. One victory and 19^th Place and losing in the tenth match to Sunderland. Is surely not looking like an easy way out for the Tyne-side team!

The 18^th place team is Sunderland yet another team that has struggled in recent campaigns. They fire a manager in the beginning of the season, then saving the place, then running it into the ground in the second campaign of his reign! Paulo Di Canio, Gus Poyet and Dick Advocaat had all the same faith, though Advocaat resigned; it ended before Christmas in second campaign like with the two former managers. Sunderland needs a boast and gotten Sam Allardyce who has history of securing teams and playing safe. Yet another experienced manager, but the team lacks continuity and defensive structure that can builds into using the striking force of Defoe. Time will tell if they will save themselves yet another time.

The Surprise of the season and the giant fall of the league is CHELSEA. Losing five times already and the CHELSEA team need something new. Jose Mourinho has been on a strike and been more paranoid then certain dictators are against everybody else then himself. First the doctor Eva Carneiro was banished. Everybody has target Diego Costa! Every referee has been against CHELSEA!  Like this quotes after losing on Ethiad Stadium to Manchester City:

“A Ramires goal incorrectly ruled out for offside with Man City a goal ahead changed the complexion of this early-season Premier League fixture” (…)”We dominated after the interval and after Ramires’s goal was disallowed, Hazard drew a fine stop from Joe Hart. Two late City goals, from Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho, added some gloss to a final scoreline which did not accurately reflect the bigger picture.” (…)”The Chelsea pressure was mounting and the royal-blue momentum nearly paid off with 20 minutes to go. Hazard lead a rapid break and picked out Diego Costa approaching the left-hand side of the box. He carried the ball, cut inside before squaring for last year’s Player of the Year. Hazard dropped a shoulder and fired for goal, but met his match in Hart” (Chelsea, 2015).

I saw that match; the whole report was like hogwash from certain dictatorships and not a proper match-report. Then the last match kind of confirmed the troubles inside the club. With the cards which has unfolded this season with weak defense of Matic, Ivanovic and Terry. Hazard has been a shadow and only Willian has delivered in the midfield. Falaco came in as a third option, but is still not striking and Loic Remy doesn’t get the time to hit and Costa is just making a lot of fuzz, but not really hitting the goals in the box. Chelsea has issues with Jose Mourinho and his strives to be what he is – a winner and now constantly losing. And his last reaction to losing at a better playing West Ham. Has proven that the Drama of CHELSEA is far from over this campaign!

Stoke has been magnificent under Mark Hughes though this campaign haven’t been either fish or bird. They have not delivered back to back victories yet. They got Shaqiri to the team as they got Bojan last go around. They play more technical and less of Pulis 1-0 counter-strike football. But the results this campaign hasn’t been anything to talk about.

Swansea is in the middle of the league. Third campaign with Gary Monk! The team has evolved and gotten a new favorite in the team. He is Andrew Ayew they got as a bosman player before the campaign, he and Gomis has hit it off. They beat Manchester United in the third match in a row! If they play like that they can still end up over 10^th position! Swansea is steady building and proving that yet another campaign.

Everton with Roberto Martinez had a weak campaign after striving in his first as Everton manager. This season is supposed to pick it up. Still the matches I have seen, it’s too unstable. At this stage the defense that was the strong point of David Moyes is totally gone. The team is filled with young talent, but Gareth Barry is showing that he is starting to be to slow and makes more cards, then doing well. Joss Stones and Ross Barkley has skills and proves viability and not forget Lukaku is a force in him. Coleman and Naismith deserve more credit. Leighton Baines is the hero of the team, though too much injured for the moment. The team can be magical and play fantastic, but it’s not consistent which this club deserves!

West Bromwich has Tony Pulis. That means the dream result is 1-0 or 2-1. They won over Aston Villa and Rondon is scoring. Where did Saido Berahino go? Not Tottenham, but he is around in Birmingham right? Wonder when the fans of West Bromwich are going to be bored with the destructive defensive counterstriking teams of Pulis?

Liverpool has been strictly average after using a fortune in the summer and giving Brendan Rodgers another chance to succeed. FSG the owner’s lost their patience the result and getting a draw with Everton before a week of internationals. The players that the Transfer Committee got and structures of the club has given Rodgers a hard time with losing the best players two campaigns in a row. FSG has later gotten Jurgen Klopp as the savior of the club. Benteke, Clyne, Firmino and Origi haven’t done magic either this campaign. Sturridge has been injured. Coutinho and Allen hasn’t been stabile so it’s not all Rodgers, though he was a working scapegoat and now we can see if the German can get this Merseyside club firing!

Southampton is still up high even after losing Schneiderlin who was important in the last seasons also my favorite player in the team last year Clyne. Ronald Koeman is in the second campaign. With the losing of essential players they still have the capacity to get new ones to fills the slot, also show the quality of Fonte, Mane and Pelle one of them will surely be bought by Liverpool if they follow the procedure of their summer shoppings.. Southampton is still over mid-table and stay there. It wants be a team in one of the Champions League spots, but surely be close to get into the Euro League this year as well! If the 10 first matches is telling the truth of the quality of the team.

Crystal Palace first starting campaign with Alan Pardew he was a shadow of himself in the end of his tenure in Newcastle. He got back into the collaboration as a manager with Cabaye. Bolasie, Puncheon, Sako, Zaha, Chamakh, Jedinak, Wickham, Souare, Campell, Mutch, McArthur, Ledley and Bamford! Is all the mid-fielder and attackers that the EAGLES have this campaign and their attacking forces are amazing. Bolasie is truly a player I would have on any of my dream team! Hopefully Crystal Place will continue to play as amazing as they have done!

Tottenham has actually kept their manager Pochettino and Denis Levy must surely be drinking since he usually fires managers quickly. They have Adebayor, but only official striker is Harry Kane and he has scored in the last of the tenth match in this campaign. Eriksen has been not so visible this campaign. Lamela and Dele Ali can bring fire to the mid-field. Still feels the team is to unstable and still young. And wonder how long Levy can see the team as Euro-League team and with the team they have for now, they don’t have the last spark to get into the Champions League. Harry Redknapp will be somewhere smiling at the movement since he was fired…

Another Surprise then CHELSEA and their fall is the team of Leicester City. Pearson was fired in the summer and Tinkerman was hired. Claudio Ranieri. Who has on his CV the ability to lose as Greece manager to Faroe Islands that must be a special for any modern manager? But that doesn’t mean he isn’t a good coach and manager. He has had the ability to continue the striving team of Pearson and the striker Vardy is the top scorer for the moment with 10 in 10! Mahrez also has been sparkling together with Vardy. Leicester continues to be a shiny light in the Premiership!

Manchester United has not under Van Gaal been playing wonderful attacking football. They have used a tiny fortune on players. Angel Di Maria is still gone even if he was record buying. Is Luke Shaw still there? Martial has been great gamble and maybe saved a lot of points. De Gea staying has been a great thing for the club and a loss for Real Madrid. Because with Romero you could see he was weaker. Still not feeling that the club has an edge in the game or should I say trying to prove a stable attacking or defensive play. Wonder when they find their way and will be the Champions League team who wins more with a force, not “rare luck”.

Slaven Billic has taken over for Sam Allerdyce in West Ham before the start of the campaign. West Ham expects attacking fun play and Allerdyce isn’t that type, though Allerdyce is not like Pulis, still more stable defense play! Billic has proven to be fresh air and giving the players free speed. Kouyate, Obiang, Lanzini, Payet, Sakho, Moses, Valencia and Zarate is proving that this team can play wonderful football. Payet and Kouyate can play around with great defenses. West Ham has already won over Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal this campaign. They are in the top four and if they stay here it will be a giant surprise and guilt trip for many of the smaller clubs compared to the usual suspects. If they survive the hard December program will tell!

Arsene Wenger and Arsenal can be often in a great state and play Playstation football. They have been amazing and been played with more caution, even gotten a stable goalkeeper in Peter Cech. That even Mourinho wouldn’t want to sell before the campaign. The weakness is still in the defense, though Monreal, Bellerin and Coquelin has grown in their defensive rolls. I have faith that Arsenal can be a title chaser until the end, but hope that it doesn’t fall apart as it has done around Christmas and then picking up just in time to reach Champions League spot. Arsenal has a magnificent mid-field with Ozil, Sanchez, Ramsey. Carzola, Flamini, Wilshere, Rosicky and Arteta! So they should have enough good choices in the mid-field, at strikers it’s usually either Giroud or Walcott, and the Costa Rican Campell. Arsenal can bring it in, just not lose it.

Manchester City is leading the league for the moment after having a draw with their arch rival United in the last league match. The team has played well with the new mid-fielders like De Bruyne, Sterling and Delph. Delph has though not been pivotal at all, Sterling and De Bruyne has giving the team pace. Together with Silva and Navas has giving the edge to strikers of Bony and Aguero. It seems like a good thing by the club to keep Pellegini as the manager. Keeping the staff and adding to already solid team with Kompany, Zabaleta and Yaya Toure. City has enough if they are all firing to become the title winners this campaign. Though the stability and winning over “lesser-teams” away like losing to Stoke is not good enough if they want to achieve the title again, depending on how they keep it steady, if they are steady even without Aguero who might be the best striker in the league, then they have the ability to win it!

Well, what will really happen? Will Pardew get Crystal Palace into the top six this year? Will Mark Hughes get his mid-field firing? Swansea will continue to thriving as last season? Slaven Billic will he manage to keep West Ham winning over the Christmas season, because Allerdyce did not manage that! Allerdyce will he be able like his predecessors to save Sunderland yet another campaign? Has Steve McClaren the quality of the team and the mentality to save Newcastle? Aston Villa has been falling of grace long before Tim Sherwood entering the club; will the new man of the club have the capacity to save it?

Will Watford, Bournemouth and Norwich keep it up, even if Norwich is starting to look like they did in the last season in the Premier League when they had 7-8 matches without victories, remember last time they  they went down? What will happen to Southampton, mid table or actually able to crack into Europe again?

Has Klopp the aura to get the Liverpool club back into Europe or will that be a longer run? Will Pochettino get fired for not getting the club high enough this campaign? How long can Mourinho keep his calm and how long will Abramovich tolerate the negative campaign and results before firing him for the second time?

I could go and on. But there been an interesting start of the season and hope it will continue. The best of luck and hope you also will enjoy the Premier League as much as I do. Peace.

Reference:

Chelsea FC – ‘Match report: Manchester City 3 Chelsea 0’ (16.08.2015) link: http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/08/match-report–manchester-city-v-chelsea-.html

 

Annonsen til Roberto Manchini!

Lurer på hva tenker på når du ser på denne? Tre tittler er visst ikke nok for eierne av Machester City. Sjeikene har nok allerede ordnet seg med Pellegrini fra Malaga. Få se hva som skjer! Hva tror du?

Annonsen ble gitt ut i London Evening Standard, Washington Post og Beijing Bugle. Ikke i Manchester Evening Newss hvor faktisk Manchester City fansen kanskje hadde kjøpt den avisen og ikke minst sett annonsen.

Uansett, framtiden til klubben er spennende. Jeg lurer på selv hvordan dette bytte vil ha å bety for klubben og ligaen. Akkurat som spenningsmomentet med Alex Ferguson som har lagt opp som manager i Manchester United. Manchester United som har ordnet seg med Moyes fra Everton som erstatter, men det visste hele verden! Hele forbaska verden!

Peace.