Sport
7 DAYS IN 7 POINTS
7 Days in 7 Points
Three-game ban? Costa should feel lucky
Chelsea’s Diego Costa is a dirty player. He has no problem with cheating to gain an advantage, and sometimes seems to do it just for the sake of being unfair, dishonest and aggressive. When you take into account the bans Luis Suarez was handed, then Costa can feel very lucky to have only been awarded a three-game suspension. His attitude towards fair play and sportsmanship is everything that is wrong with football.
Heung-Min Son could be a special player for Spurs
It’s a little premature trying to assess the quality of Son after only a handful of games, but I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen. He’s direct, loves to shoot, revels in running at defenders, and can score goals. He’s basically what Andros Townsend tries to be, but doesn’t have enough ability to achieve. Son’s goals haven’t been against the greatest opposition – Qarabağ and Palace – but he’s still managed to score when it matters. Spurs will likely lack goals this season, so Son’s contribution will prove vital.
Newcastle are, once again, in serious danger of relegation
Somewhat naively perhaps, I didn’t see this coming. I was impressed by Newcastle’s activity in the transfer window, I quite like Steve McClaren as a manager, and believe there is a good core of players at St James’ Park. However, something just isn’t working. They aren’t scoring goals – in fact aren’t looking at all like coming close to scoring goals – and it’s difficult to see that changing any time soon. I still think they’ll escape relegation, but it could be a stressful season on Tyneside.
Manchester United only had four world-class players under Sir Alex
Sir Alex Ferguson is of the opinion that only four world-class players – Paul Scholes, Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs – played for Manchester United during his spell in charge. It’s his opinion, of course it is, but there are a few names that he has surely forgotten about; Roy Keane, Peter Schmeichel, Jaap Stam, Rio Ferdinand, Bebe?
Liverpool fans appear to have grown tired of Rodgers’ excuses
Liverpool supporters are always angry at someone or something, but for quite a while now Brendan Rodgers has been the key cause for severe frustration amongst the Reds faithful. #RodgersOut trends on Twitter nearly every weekend – particularly following poor results – and it’s easy to see why; his big-money signings have failed to impress for a second consecutive season, he seems unable – or unwilling – to alter his tactics so as to allow key players the opportunity to play in their best position, and he lacks the charm and charisma to keep supporters on his side when the going is tough. Klopp could soon be called upon.
Wenger’s predilection to save rather than spend could cost Arsenal dear
The fact that Wenger doesn’t like to spend unless entirely necessary is not new news. In a way his frugal approach is to be commended, but that’s not how Gunners fans will see it when they’re failing to score, failing to win, and failing to impress. It’s not just that Giroud is the only striker, but that there is little cover in the defensive midfield position. With Coquelin out – albeit just for a few days – Arsenal’s frailties are being exposed yet again.
Things are going from bad to worse for Sunderland
While I wasn’t expecting Newcastle to suffer this season, I certainly was of the opinion that Sunderland would struggle. And so it seems they will. After six games they are bottom of the league, have yet to secure a win, have already conceded 13 goals, and have been eliminated from the Capital One Cup. Nearly every bookmaker has them as favourites for the drop, and it’s difficult to see how the Black Cats can survive after such a disappointing start.
