Sport
Seven Days in Seven Points
Are Tottenham genuine contenders?
After Spurs comprehensively defeated Manchester City this weekend, many pundits could be heard whispering that this could very well be Tottenham’s year. Poch’s men won 2-0, though the result should perhaps have been more convincing; indeed, it most likely would have been had Son been allowed to take the penalty that was scuffed by Lamela. Guardiola admitted in the wake of the game that Tottenham were the better side, and even conceded that the Londoners were unlucky not to bag more. The strength in depth at White Hart Lane is impressive – they managed to win this game without a recognised striker, after all – but are they good enough to be crowned champions? Let’s just say that stranger things have most definitely happened.
Can things get any worse for Villa?
At the start of this season most people would have said that a poor season for Aston Villa would be failing to gain promotion from the Championship. However, after 11 games, many are starting to wonder whether Villa will in fact be involved in a relegation scrap this campaign. They’ve won just one game – although they’ve also only lost 3 – and sit 19th in the table, just two points above the drop zone. Roberto di Matteo, who was sacked earlier this week, was deemed by many to be an odd appointment when he was first announced, and he managed to make little to no impact despite spending over £50 million. The next Villa boss will have a gigantic task on his hands; should he fail to perform, Villa could well be in a relegation scrap yet again.
You have to feel a little sorry for Francesco Guidolin
In his last five games in charge, Guidolin’s side faced Liverpool, Southampton, Chelsea and Manchester City twice. While they didn’t win any of those games – and only drew one – Swansea were rarely battered, and often gave those more established sides a series of scares. He signed a new contact just before the summer break, but it seems he was never the long-term choice the Swansea board wanted. It even seems likely that the Swansea hierarchy interviewed Bob Bradley and all but offered him the job prior to dismissing the 61-year-old Italian. I believe Swansea will survive, but I also think they would have avoided relegation without the managerial change.
What’s going wrong at Real?
Four consecutive draws would not be regarded as a disaster by many clubs, but Real Madrid aren’t a normal side. This past weekend Zidane’s men could only manage a point at home to minnows Eibar, and even a resurgent Gareth Bale couldn’t help his side earn a win. The Spanish press are always ready to lay into the big sides when they go through a turbulent patch, and the word ‘crisis’ has already been thrown out there by a few journalists. I still think Real are the best team in Europe right now, and I firmly believe they will win both La Liga and the Champions League, but what they need right now is victories. When Luka Modric and Casemiro return, I think they will only go from strength to strength.
Who will be the next Premier League manager to go?
Could it be Mark Hughes? Or perhaps Slaven Bilić? Or maybe even the recently appointed David Moyes. What is almost certain is that another manager will go this season – perhaps even before Christmas – but who will it be? If I were a betting man – and, luckily, I am – I would bank on Bilić being the next manager to head out of the door. However, I’ve been very wrong about this sort of thing before.
Rooney just doesn’t fit at Manchester United
It’s been said countless times in recent weeks, but Wayne Rooney is really not helping this Manchester United side. Ok, so his abysmal touch inadvertently led to United’s only goal against Stoke, but aside from that he did very little during the twenty or so minutes he was on the pitch. And it isn’t the first time this season that critics have slammed a Rooney performance. It seems quite obvious to the vast majority of observers that the England captain simply doesn’t fit with this new Manchester United style, and it can only be a matter of time before Jose drops him indefinitely.
Jean-Francois Bedenik’s amazing triple save
We’ve all seen clips of goalkeepers saving penalties, but rarely does something like this pop up. Watch as the 37-year-old Bedenik pulls off this bizarre triple save.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGkvm42Vz1Y
