Sport
7 DAYS IN 7 POINTS
7 Days in 7 Points
Newcastle’s players finally showed up!
At the start of the season I really thought Newcastle had a chance of challenging for a Europa League place given the strength of their best eleven. Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Siem de Jong and, to a slightly lesser extent, Tim Krul, Ayoze Pérez and Jack Colback, are all names that would get into most Premier League squads. The Magpies’ start to the season has been poor to say the least, but following the 6-2 hammering of Norwich, it’s very clear that there is a decent team at St James’ Park, they just need to click on a more regular basis.
Aston Villa will be battling relegation this season
The big problem for Aston Villa is that they didn’t adequately replace Benteke and Vlaar. When Vlaar left the club they lost not only a key defender but also a leader on the pitch, and when Benteke was poached by Liverpool they lost their key goal threat. That’s two massive departures at either end of the pitch, and it’s very obvious that they are being sorely missed. Jermaine Jenas, a former Aston Villa player, has said he is ‘almost certain’ Villa will be relegated this season, and I can’t help but think he might be right.
Why would anyone want the Leeds job?
Since controversial owner Massimo Cellino took over at Leeds in April 2014, five managers have been sacked. That’s an average of 3.5 months in charge each, which is utterly, utterly ridiculous. Leeds, once one of the biggest clubs in the country, have slumped drastically in the last couple of decades, and the turmoil at Elland Road doesn’t look like it will end soon. Steve Evans, who has previously managed footballing giants Stamford, Boston United (twice) and Crawley Town, has been quickly installed as the newest Leeds boss, but why he has taken the job is anyone’s guess. He won’t be there at Christmas.
James Milner is FINALLY getting the praise he deserves
For the best part of a decade James Milner has been one of the most consistent and hard working midfielders in the Premier League. He has often been the butt of jokes as he comes across as slightly dull and because his efforts on the pitch rarely result in anything spectacular, but there’s a reason he’s played for England, Manchester City and Liverpool; quite simply, he’s a terrific footballer. And finally, after years of being derided and mocked, it seems that people are starting to appreciate how good he really is.
Falcao should leave Chelsea in January
Just what has gone wrong with Falcao? When he joined Manchester United last summer it looked – on paper, at least – to be a real coup, but he didn’t perform well in more than two or three games, and was often more of a burden to the Red Devils’ attacking threat than anything else. Then he managed to bag a move to Chelsea, promising to get fit and prove his worth at Stamford Bridge. But that has not yet happened, not by a long stretch. To be fair, he hasn’t been getting minutes on the pitch, but it doesn’t seem likely that he will push Costa out of the side, so perhaps there are issues behind the scenes. Newspaper gossip seems to suggest that Barcelona want Falcao in January and, if I were the Colombian, I’d head over to Spain in a heartbeat.
Medical staff in Greece don’t seem to get much training…
If this video doesn’t prove that Greek medical staff need to be given a lesson in how to care for players, then nothing will! – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqRCHfgxfzU
Harry Kane can’t do it all on his own
Kane, last season’s Tottenham superstar, hasn’t been in the goals this season. Many have attributed this to second season syndrome, but I don’t think that’s it. Kane hasn’t played poorly so far this campaign; yes, he is often found guilty of having a heavy first touch, and yes, some of his shooting could be a little more clinical, but he’s still working his socks off and getting in the right positions most of the time. The problem for Kane is that he has nobody to play with, nobody to draw the flak, so to speak. Defenders crowd him out and then he has nobody running in behind. Harry Kane is still a very good striker, he just needs a bit of assistance.
