Opinion: Rodgers will find a new home

Over the weekend, there was news that Leicester City had by mutual agreement accepted that Manager Brendan Rodgers would quit the job. This is said to be done over a direct sacking from the club. Leicester have struggled this season and looked relegation ready. This is because of the lack of new recruitment and loss of leaders in the dressing room.

Rodgers have delivered as a manager for Leicester. Just like he did what was expected of him in Celtic. Though he was underachieving as a Liverpool manager. While rising through the ranks of Swansea. Therefore, Rodgers got a name, and he has titles in his name. That being from the years in Celtic and in Leicester as well.

The end of Rodgers might seem abruptly and not as soft as anyone wishes. He has seemingly built a name, but also grown stale in the club. The club has lacked investment and had lots of injuries. Still, a seasoned manager and a skilled one should be able to balance it all. However, there is only as much one man can do.

Rodgers is now a free agent and ready for hire. A man who has a results and titles. Some might question that, but he isn’t that bad. Yes, this season was the worst he has had in some respects. Leicester has really underperformed and is dangerously close to relegation. They need a quick revival to ensure another season in the Premier League.

I will not pin the whole blame on him there, as the recruitment has been lacking and the release of key players has also damaged the club. That’s all been done and was right before the season start. While the club didn’t even try to buy in new after selling vital players to competitors. Therefore, this season was bound to be tough.

Rodgers couldn’t save the sinking ship and he had no squad to help him out either. Only trusting in Maddison and Vardy was bound to fail. Vardy is aging and this should be his last season in the Premier League. Unless, he has a magical change and suddenly starts to regain his youth. Maddison can’t carry the whole midfield and the defence has lacked support after the goalie Schmeichel left for Nice. This is why I cannot just say… it’s Rodgers fault and he should carry the cross.

No, Rodgers did to the best of his abilities and wasn’t given proper tools to succeed. The club maybe worried or concerned about the FFP rules and wouldn’t dare to breach those. Still, to be in the league at this very moment. You need to adopt and recruit. There need to be continuously new blood and players who fits the bill. That hasn’t been the case and this is why Leicester also is struggling.

This is the fatigue of a club that has overachieved and was able to challenge the top four clubs. A club that has shown how to do it and become a force to reckon with. However, that doesn’t come without consequences or a price to pay. When you forget that… then the inevitable is bound to happen and it’s horrific. Especially, since it’s not that long ago since you won the FA Cup and won the Premier League title. It is just mere years ago and you even reached far in European Competition. However, the club didn’t in the hey-day invest or re-structure itself. No, it hoped for the same miracle and that cheap players would become starts, yet again.

That is living on hope and Rodgers couldn’t carry that. Leicester will struggle for the rest of the 10 games. The club will have a huge battle in fighting relegation. That’s all up to the owners and the board, who didn’t support or use the needed scouts to find the right players to come instead of the ones leaving the club. Therefore, they are in trouble.

Rodgers will find a new home. He isn’t totally stained by this, and his reputation isn’t in tatters. Yes, this is a bad record this season. Nevertheless, his still proven the other years that is a capable and a manager who can get results. That must count for something. Peace.

Opinion: The Potter experiment is over…

The ones who were for the hipsters and popular narrative that Graham Potter was the next in line. The hope of British Managers and whatnot, well, that ship has sailed. The 7-month journey at Chelsea Football Club has proven that Potter wasn’t ready for the big-league just yet. Just like the Nathan Jones wasn’t ready for Southampton either.

Potter might be a marvellous fellow, might be a genuine good guy and a gentleman. However, in the Premier League and in a hot mess like Chelsea. He was never there and never ceased the moment. It isn’t like it’s all his fault. The new project and new owners have their own vision. Which doesn’t coincide with the manager or the team surrounding him.

That’s why Potter was destined to fail. When you could sack Thomas Tuchel with no good reason or explanation. You just know your bound to go down eventually. Potter might have thought all the support and good words from the owners would save his skin. Nevertheless, there is just as much pain and losses a man can do. Especially, when the club has been a winning team and a challenger over the last decade.

Chelsea isn’t a run of the mill club now. It has been a contender and a club that has won things. That has been the nature and expectations is high. Managers are being sacked for just a dip of form or lack of results. Therefore, Potter was lucky to last 7 months with his lack of results.

The performance of Chelsea was abysmal under Potter. It was like they had a sickness against winning and scoring goals. The was a lack of moral and a lack of a proper philosophy. That is evident on the pitch and the policies of the transfer market haven’t helped him either. It is like a mismatch of player in combination with the ones that are already settled in. For a man like Potter that was a huge task, and he had no time to fail. Ironically, he failed again and again… and the fans will not miss him.

The task for the next appointment is to build a strong 11 and have one fixed philosophy on the pitch. The next manager needs to step up and deliver. It cannot be an unproven and unsolicited guy with no experience. That has already been proven and it doesn’t fit the bill. Chelsea needs a “serial” winner and someone who can push the club forward. Because right now… they are in the middle of the league and closer to relegation, than to reach Champions League. That’s not what Chelsea has been about over the last few years.

Some of us said that Potter shouldn’t have left Brighton this early. Now he has stained his reputation and possibly ruined his career. Potter was lucky to get this managerial role to begin with. The previous owner wouldn’t have hired him, and the board would have shunned it too. Nevertheless, the new American owner believed in him and gave him time. Now this season is wasted and it will cost for the next one too.

Chelsea will already have questions and we all can wonder if the club complies with FFP rules. The huge spending spree and long contracts are going to backfire. Just like the pay-outs to Potter will last for a long time. This will also be the case for the players bought in and if they fail. Well, they are on the payroll and the club cannot just “sack” them.

Now the club is wasting millions of pounds on Potter. A man who didn’t deliver and never seemed capable of doing so. A man who got the most expensive signings of the transfer windows, but still not able to deliver. That’s a story to tell. Others would have been giddied in his stead. However, Potter complained and was seemingly unhappy. He wasn’t made for it. Potter might never say that, but the results prove it.

Chelsea was too big for Potter. Potter wasn’t ready and seasoned for the job. That’s why it was bound to fail. The next manager better come correct and have experience. Because, this squad, this club and the ambition isn’t easy. Potter should have read the writing on the wall, but instead jumped into it.

Now his name is stained and his been found out. Instead of living in the hype and getting better by every year. He jumped high and now it is his inevitable fall… Peace.

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: 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: 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.

Opinion: Solskjær is under fire

“Every goal disappoints you to concede. If some team outplays you that’s fine – that’s well done to them. But today the first one we gifted, the second one is a set-play that we should do better. We don’t really get our heads on it, and the blocks. Third one, it’s 10 seconds after we equalised. It shouldn’t happen. It’s just one of those things: deal with it. It’s a long ball from Jonny and we should just deal with it. Then the last goal is a set-play again, which is disappointing. It’s concentration, focus, every time you concede a goal” (Ole Gunnar Solskjær after 2-4 defeat to Leicester on the 16^th October 2021).

The Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær is in real trouble. He has been managing the Red Devils for over 2 and half years. Last year he was so close to titles, but became second in both of those races. In the Premier League and losing to Villareal in the Euro League Finale. So, this season has to prove further progression to secure his role.

However, the last month has been an giant issue. OGS haven’t delivered and seemingly gotten rotten results. The season started splendid with good victories and a mediocre match at Southampton. Nevertheless, since Mid-September the results haven’t been any good. The club is currently with 14 points after 8 matches and if the club had won every match they would have 24 points. Not that you expect the club to win every match in the Premier League and be the invisible. But… you do expect to get close with United, as they are automatically a title contender. If they are not title contenders. OGS and United should always aspire at that. That is expected for them.

Yes, before Ole became the manager there been a long run of seasons of mediocrity. The team wasn’t filled with huge talents and had a plan. There was several of managers picking their players and some youngsters from the academy.. While that made the team fragile and didn’t have the amount of creativity, strong defence or even a 20 goals a season striker.

OGS have gotten several of world-class players. His transfer-kitty have been extensive and given him a lot. That’s why you should expect more than just clinging on to a Champions League spot. The club will most likely be in the range of 3-4th this season. As the results of late is soon sending them to far to reach the title of the Premier League. It is just 5 points up to Liverpool, but this early in the season is worrying. Especially, if this club is supposed to be progressing.

The club should be in a better place. It has Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, Edison Cavani, Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes and that’s players who should make them a big team. Yes, a team with such players can have lackluster and bonkers matches. However, 1 victory in the 5 latests matches isn’t what you expect of United. No, they are supposed to be on the tail of bigger teams. This team isn’t supposed to fail in Switzerland and look like the B-Team of Young Boys. No, that’s not supposed to happen, but that happen this season.

On the 19^th September was the last victory in Premier League. Yes, United finally won in the Champions League group over Villareal. Since then the team has lost against Aston Villa away, a tie against Everton at home and destroyed away at Leicester today. This isn’t the supposed moving forward is looking like. Especially not when the manager has gotten such player into his team. There should be some sort of move, tactics and ability to use his squad to assemble victories.

Yes, we do know that Ole has been critical about the amount of matches and how it get players injured. That’s why he couldn’t have several of players playing on the team today. Nevertheless, a manager is supposed to sort it out and have other players to squad to cover the others. If not, the team is needs solid tactics. The manager needs to fix that and show his ability to deliver results. Even when his stars are off the pitch. That doesn’t seem possible with Ole. Not that this point at least.

People are even questioning if the players are following a certain philosophy or strategy. Maybe, Ole has been saved by the general star-power. That the team has certain individuals who can change the matches on their own. OGS knows this, but who has seen significant style or playing style in the last two years?

People are questioning that… and it’s natural after this long time without a victory in the league. While the results earlier in the season should be proof that there was something on the way. Now, people are naturally questioning it all.

OGS should show it and prove that he can carry this weight. He is not in “transition” anymore. That train is sort of over. He has had over 2 years to build and the results should start to come now. The instability and uncertainty should be over. However, that is never ending.

Ole is asked to be sacked by plenty of people now. That’s natural even if the place in the League isn’t all out of order and it’s still easy to get into top 4. However, that was Wenger’s plan for Arsenal and was mocked years ago by United fans and everyone else. Especially now that United club has invested and gotten new players ahead of this season. You would thinks was looking more rosy. However, they are not and now everything is point at the manager.

OGS needs results and quickly. He needs to prove the early start of the season wasn’t fluke. The good results of 4 and 5 goals and not really concede a lot goals. Now, that is backfiring and the team isn’t delivering.

After all this time and transfer windows… shouldn’t this project look better and show signs of progress?

Yes, a team and squads have periods and dip of form. That is natural, but the team shouldn’t make it look so dire as today. The choices of the manager should be questioned. The recent results aren’t just speculation, but adding pressure. Right now OGS cannot go much longer without delivering. He needs a lot of victories in a row. That’s what he needs and what United needs as well. Especially, if the club isn’t planning to fall behind the top 4, which could easily happen if this continues.

Ronaldo cannot play all matches, neither can anyone else. That’s why he needs a steady rotation and have a back-up plan. That doesn’t seem viable today and maybe that’s not on the program tomorrow. However, that is needed quickly and he needs to prove he has this. People shouldn’t be able to question him and his style of play. That should be instilled into the players and be visible to the crowds, which isn’t happening now.

Ole do you want this job or are you clueless these days? What is happening? Or was the stint at Cardiff a warning of what is ahead for United? Peace.

Opinion: Arteta’s Arsenal screams of relegation

If someone is heading the “sack-race” of the Premier League this season it must be Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta Amatriain. The man who has been the manager since 2019. He has promised a “process” and that this is a “transition”. However, nothing is looking stellar or neither promising.

What is striking as an outsider. The “invisibles” or one-pass playing Arsenal is long gone. The attacking and team with a clear playing style has gone. The Emirates Stadium isn’t a frightful stadium to visit. Neither are they are dangerous competitor in the away matches. It is like the team is lacking both confidence and a means to an end.

Yes, Arteta is a good figurehead. He knows how to be at interviews and be in the public. Nevertheless, what is served on the pitch is a disgrace. It isn’t any will or hunger to strike back. Neither, is there a clear philosophy. Even long-balls on a huge striker is more understandable than what Arsenal under Arteta is. That says a lot. Mourinho’s “Parking the Bus” is more effective and understandable, than whatever Arsenal is doing at this current time.

Well, it is only three matches and the players need more time. To that I say… his been there since 2019 and the few sailors who came in this window should see and reflect on what the others are doing. The Arteta as a manager and his team should have instilled and implemented the vision to all the other players. Alas, that is not visible to us seeing them.

Arsenal was already falling flat and becoming less interesting in the final years of Wenger. While at least delivered cup wins and a favourable 4 place to get into the Champions League. This was done by recruiting well and finding players fitting to the style of play Wenger sought after. However, now they are searching for the future, but nobody knows what that looks like. Neither does it seems the current recruiters knows either.

The zero points after three matches is just the culmination of it. What is also tragic is the manner which they have played. Not scoring goals, not even hitting the goal inside the box or being on the counter-attack. There are so many flaws and it doesn’t look any promising.

Arteta is the captain of a sinking ship and there seems no way to save it. He can seemingly throw the whole squad into the mix and still not get viable results. There is a need for a swift change, both in spirit and in will on the pitch. The missing philosophy in combination with a lacking playing-style is only hurting the team.

I wonder, if Arteta is up for it and can face the challenges ahead? Does he have the character and ability to assemble a squad and make it a force to be reckon with?

At this very moment… that seems unlikely. The manager has Mount Everest to climb and seems to have nobody around used to cross even the smallest of hills. It is not only Arteta that is lacking, but the people around him. They are part of transition that seems to nowhere and the results are screaming relegation. As the team is even beneath Norwich, which is deemed direct relegation before the season start.

Arteta have to boost confidence and prove that his project is worth damn while saving this season. That is not easy for a rookie. The patience of the owners is just lasting for so long and they cannot afford to be outside of the Premier League either. That’s why Arteta’s next moves has to show results and actually heart. Not just being beaten and look like a Championship side in the wrong league. That’s usually for teams of a different stature than Arsenal. However, all big team fails at one point and goes down a division.

Maybe, it’s their turn like other greats gone down to smell the coffee and have to return to fight for another day. However, that would still be terrible and be a daft legacy to put on your name. That you, Arteta during your reign as manager was able to relegate a legendary and great team as Arsenal. Peace.