Bolton Wanderers chairman Phil Gartside has drawn up a shortlist of managerial candidates to succeed the hapless Sammy Lee, including Steve Bruce, Gary Megson and Chris Coleman. The Trotters job was once a highly coveted post in England, made so by the spirited Sam Allardyce however, Gartside has struggled to bring in a successor quickly. And now a surprise leader has emerged for the role – Graeme Souness!
The Scottish aggressor, known mostly for a fiery attitude and tendency to fall out with high profile players has this week had meetings with the club. Souness has been out of management since his sacking from Newcastle Utd and not shown a desire himself, or been considered desirable, for a return to football in the intervening period. There may be sound reasoning behind Gartside’s unexpected new first choice though.
Following blocks from Real Sociedad for Chris Coleman, from Leicester City for Gary Megson and a personal rejection to the job from the sun-soaked Paul Jewell in Dubai, Souness’ potential appointment makes economical sense, as he is not under contract, requiring compensation. With a fearsome reputation, preference for dogged tenacity over stylish play and an infamous intolerance for lack of player discipline, Gartisde has a manager much in the mould of ex-boss Allardyce. With rumours of the player power struggles that ended Lee's reign, Souness would be an unstoppable force in dictating to the players exactly what role they should be inhabiting at the club - those unwilling to conform would likely pay the price and be cast aside. Souness is not credited with being the greatest tactician but he gets players fighting for the cause, engenders belief and his character is such that he visibly cannot accept defeat. These qualities have become associated with Bolton in recent years but seemed to be fading this season along with the squad’s lack of belief in Sammy Lee.
It might not be the most popular choice of manager and it represents a bit of gamble on the chairman’s behalf. Souness has proved in the past that he takes no reputation into account if he feels someone steps out of line and Phil Gartside would rather keep the influential senior players that fell out with Lee (Speed, Nolan and Campo) at the club. These three in particular are held in high regard by the rest of the squad and viewed as role models by the youngsters. To be ruthless with them could create a heavier divide, although if change is to happen and the club move forward to a new chapter then perhaps it should be done – short term pain but long term gain.
In any case an appointment is yet to be made and with Steve Bruce’s future in the balance at Birmingham City amid takeover speculation, a new favourite might emerge as easily as Souness has done. Bolton, who lie 20th in the table, will want the situation to be resolved quickly though.
Tuesday 23 October 2007
Monday 22 October 2007
New Videos!!
Check out the new videos of the week on the left side of this page!
Look out for the hilarious Man Utd song and the equally bias pro-Arsenal video balancing out the favourtisim.
Also have a look at Blackburn Rover's in form David Bentley as he features in the bottom left video.
Look out for the hilarious Man Utd song and the equally bias pro-Arsenal video balancing out the favourtisim.
Also have a look at Blackburn Rover's in form David Bentley as he features in the bottom left video.
Premiership Round Up
The Premiership campaign resumed once again this weekend, greeted with welcome relief one would expect from most players, after another forgettable international break for the home nations. And it was business as usual for the top 4 clubs who all won, although at present Man Utd and Arsenal look to be steadily and ruthlessly setting up a two horse charge for the title. Arsenal have now won 11 on the spin in all competitions, while Utd have won 10 from their last 11, the Carling Cup blip against Coventry seems merely to have stoked the fires at Old Trafford. Man City kept pace with a hard fought 1-0 win over Birmingham with that man Elano again proving the match winner. City will be tested more sternly however when they meet Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next weekend. Liverpool remain just within striking distance as they narrowly and controversially turned a draw into a much needed win over rivals Everton at Goodison Park. With passion, panic and perspiration aplenty at Goodison, Everton were eventually reduced to 10 men. Tony Hibbert committing a professional foul on Steven Gerrard leading to a penalty, before Phil Neville stopped a goal-bound effort with his hand to give Liverpool the match winning spot-kick. The final score was 2-1, following Sami Hyypia’s opening own-goal disaster.
Everton fury as Reds steal points
Although still unbeaten in the league this season, early signs are that Liverpool may struggle to stand the rip-roaring pace set at the top of the table. The Reds got 3 points on Saturday but only just, and from a game they were expected to win, especially after the Everton dismissals. In fact things could have been very different had Everton been given a penalty for a blatant foul in stoppage time. Jamie Carragher wrenched Joleon Lescott down from behind, seen by all inside Goodison Park but with the referee Mark Clattenberg standing only 10 yards away, he waved play on. Clattenberg did not have a good game, failing to give a penalty for an earlier foul on Lescott as well as preparing a yellow card for Hibbert’s foul, before Gerrard had a persuasive word and the card changed to red. Crucial decisions were going Liverpool’s way, much to the animated fury of David Moyes on the touchline. Benitez though could yet have salvaged something for Everton with a momentous gamble which horrified the fans and commentators alike. Perhaps all those strawberry sweets were going to his head, as well as his ridiculous looking tongue, when he decided to hauled his captain off after 70 minutes. He later justified the sub, ‘We had a player with passion when we needed to pass and control the ball.’ Benitez was lucky it came off, Gerrard’s passion had recently seen him run the length of the field to earn a penalty and is surely a more accomplished passer of the ball than Mo Sissoko.
The Underrated Underdogs
Lastly, praise must go to 5th placed Portsmouth and 6th Blackburn. Relatively unnoticed, despite some spectacular results, uncluding 7 goals pundered against Reading, Pompey have been getting on with business collecting 5 straight wins in all competitions. Through a little injection of funds Harry Redknapp has constructed a strong, tough and energetic side at Fratton Park that are hard to beat. Summer imports have gelled quickly and their is an immese sense of strength and power throughout the side; from Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin at the back, Sulley Muntari and Papa Diop in midfied and John Utaka and Bnejani in attack. In a word -awesome. They are a very hard working team, with pace and guile to compliment the evident brute force and are fully deserving of their high placing in the league table.
Blackburn are another club who have built from the foundations of being an uncompromising, tough team who fought hard, into a strong Premiership side. It is a reputaion the club was keen to get rid of and this season Rovers have showed they can play very attractive football indeed. Mark Hughes has proved in his short time at Blackburn that he has a nack for finding and attracting real quality strikers to the club. Benni McCarthy, and particularly Roque Santa Cruz, would walk into any team in the Premiership in my opinion and have already formed a good understanding. The midfield possesses a good deal of flair too, which is often overlooked as far as Blackburn are concerned and David Bentley's form has been excellent. Bentley was mentored at Arsenal by Dennis Bergkamp, who had high praise for the youngster. After a few glimpses of his ability, this season is proving to be the curtain raiser for a stage on which Bentley has long been set to shine. He has all the attributes required to be a fan favourite; a box of tricks, long range capabilities and excellent crossing. A regular England chance can't be too far away either.
Everton fury as Reds steal points
Although still unbeaten in the league this season, early signs are that Liverpool may struggle to stand the rip-roaring pace set at the top of the table. The Reds got 3 points on Saturday but only just, and from a game they were expected to win, especially after the Everton dismissals. In fact things could have been very different had Everton been given a penalty for a blatant foul in stoppage time. Jamie Carragher wrenched Joleon Lescott down from behind, seen by all inside Goodison Park but with the referee Mark Clattenberg standing only 10 yards away, he waved play on. Clattenberg did not have a good game, failing to give a penalty for an earlier foul on Lescott as well as preparing a yellow card for Hibbert’s foul, before Gerrard had a persuasive word and the card changed to red. Crucial decisions were going Liverpool’s way, much to the animated fury of David Moyes on the touchline. Benitez though could yet have salvaged something for Everton with a momentous gamble which horrified the fans and commentators alike. Perhaps all those strawberry sweets were going to his head, as well as his ridiculous looking tongue, when he decided to hauled his captain off after 70 minutes. He later justified the sub, ‘We had a player with passion when we needed to pass and control the ball.’ Benitez was lucky it came off, Gerrard’s passion had recently seen him run the length of the field to earn a penalty and is surely a more accomplished passer of the ball than Mo Sissoko.
The Underrated Underdogs
Lastly, praise must go to 5th placed Portsmouth and 6th Blackburn. Relatively unnoticed, despite some spectacular results, uncluding 7 goals pundered against Reading, Pompey have been getting on with business collecting 5 straight wins in all competitions. Through a little injection of funds Harry Redknapp has constructed a strong, tough and energetic side at Fratton Park that are hard to beat. Summer imports have gelled quickly and their is an immese sense of strength and power throughout the side; from Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin at the back, Sulley Muntari and Papa Diop in midfied and John Utaka and Bnejani in attack. In a word -awesome. They are a very hard working team, with pace and guile to compliment the evident brute force and are fully deserving of their high placing in the league table.
Blackburn are another club who have built from the foundations of being an uncompromising, tough team who fought hard, into a strong Premiership side. It is a reputaion the club was keen to get rid of and this season Rovers have showed they can play very attractive football indeed. Mark Hughes has proved in his short time at Blackburn that he has a nack for finding and attracting real quality strikers to the club. Benni McCarthy, and particularly Roque Santa Cruz, would walk into any team in the Premiership in my opinion and have already formed a good understanding. The midfield possesses a good deal of flair too, which is often overlooked as far as Blackburn are concerned and David Bentley's form has been excellent. Bentley was mentored at Arsenal by Dennis Bergkamp, who had high praise for the youngster. After a few glimpses of his ability, this season is proving to be the curtain raiser for a stage on which Bentley has long been set to shine. He has all the attributes required to be a fan favourite; a box of tricks, long range capabilities and excellent crossing. A regular England chance can't be too far away either.
Arsenal v Man Utd Preview
Much of the early season plaudits have been going to Arsenal, and rightly so after taking 25 points from 27. However, for me the most dangerous team of the moment is Man Utd who are tearing side’s apart of late; the partnership of Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez is becoming lethal and is mesmerizing for both defenders and fans. Utd have now found the way to regular goals after a few low scoring games early on, combine this with a defence that has leaked just 3 all season and everything is in place for Alex Fergsuon to launch his title challenge. Arsenal have added resilience and grit to their easy on the eye approach play, showing at times the skills needed to grind out results when their aesthetically pleasing intentions fail to come off. Both sides showing this kind of form bodes well for a fantastic earlier season clash at the Emirates Stadium on November 3rd.
Utd
For Utd, and worryingly for Arsenal and the rest of the Premiership, Wayne Rooney has returned to the exquisite form that led many to view him as one of the world’s best. Confidence always plays a significant part in a footballer’s life and Rooney has had a much-needed injection of it. Buoyed on by his stunning volley against Croatia, Rooney tore into Villa with little restraint, taking two neatly finished goals and setting up another. He could have had a hat-trick too were it not for a great penalty save from Stuart Taylor. When he is on the top of his game there is no stopping Rooney, he possesses great pace and power, which he used to create his penalty chance - Wilfred Bouma out-muscled and out-paced with ease. His best attributes though are the finesse and subtlety he shows around the edge of the box and it is these qualities that mark him out as a cut above your everyday player. He and Tevez now look to be on the same wavelength. On Saturday time and again they played one-twos, dummies and feints, wreaking havoc in Villa’s defence, both players constantly first looking for their strike partner in front of other team mates. Consistency has been a problem for Rooney and he has endured spells where he finds goals difficult to come by and this has meant he hasn’t been given the recognition by the wider world as to how good a player we in England know he is capable of being.
Indeed before Estonia Rooney conceded, 'If Emile was fit the manager would have had a difficult choice to make, I'm sure of that.' Another reason for his occasional shortage of goals is a preference to drop deep into midfield to help build attacks. For Rooney there is equal pleasure in creating a goal as there is scoring it himself. When he does find the net it usually brings about a flurry of goals in the following games, in October for example, he has bagged 6 in 5 games. There is a similarity in all this to the way Carlos Tevez operates, dropping off, slight inconsistency mixed with electrifying displays. However when they are both firing then you put up the barricades and hope for the best, as Villa found to their cost.
Gunners
Arsenal’s barricades refused to be breached by Bolton on Saturday as the Gunners notched up their 10th clean sheet in all competitions this season. They will need similar sturdiness when the top two sides meet in a fortnight’s time and will be pleased by the successful return of captain William Gallas. For all Arsenal’s early season dominance, they have yet to be sufficiently tested and have not met with any of the big sides this season. Tottenham away was Arsenal’s most impressive result (3-1) but their rivals have been far from their best this season. Importantly Arsenal have showed ruthlessness in gaining maximum points from weaker sides in the division that was missing over the last season or two though, and this may become more notable towards the end of the campaign. Arsene Wenger’s side can only beat teams laid before him and they have carried domestic form into Europe with efficient wins over Steaua Bucharest and Sevilla. The real value of Arsenal’s challenge on the Premier League title will be become clearer from the results of their next few games. After Sparta Prague on Tuesday they travel to Liverpool next weekend while Man Utd are at home to Middlesbrough and these results could set the mood for their clash the following week, 'If we get over these two hurdles we'll be very confidenta bout dealing with Man Utd.' Wenger said.
Arsenal have slight injury concerns too, striker Robin van Persie returned from international duty with a jarred knee and will be out for 3-4 weeks. Van Persie has been in scintillating form this season and he more than any, has sought about claiming Thierry Henry’s elevated place in the eyes of the manager and the fans. Emanuelle Adebayor will no doubt lead the line in van Persie’s absence and he has had a fine start to the season. Adebayor looks every bit like a younger, rawer Didier Drogba. He needs only to work on his composure in front of goal before he could become a great player. Wenger will expect more from new signing Eduardo who has taken a while to settle at The Emirates, despite some polished displays in Europe.
Prediction
I predict a close run battle, highly contested with many fouls breaking up the play. It promises to be a fascinating match, with inevitable talking points. I expect Adebayor to cause Rio Ferdinand many problems with his strength and power, the likes of Tomas Rosicky and Alex Hleb looking to feed off any knock downs and hold up play. Paul Scholes and Cesc Fabregas’ duel promises to be a great match up - the old pass master versus the new prodigy. Arsenal may adopt a 4-5-1 system leaving Gilberto Silva or Mathieu Flamini to sit in front of the back four to counter the deep lying Tevez or Rooney, who could be the match winner. Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy will have to be at their best to deal with Cristiano Ronaldo. Final prediction: Draw.
Utd
For Utd, and worryingly for Arsenal and the rest of the Premiership, Wayne Rooney has returned to the exquisite form that led many to view him as one of the world’s best. Confidence always plays a significant part in a footballer’s life and Rooney has had a much-needed injection of it. Buoyed on by his stunning volley against Croatia, Rooney tore into Villa with little restraint, taking two neatly finished goals and setting up another. He could have had a hat-trick too were it not for a great penalty save from Stuart Taylor. When he is on the top of his game there is no stopping Rooney, he possesses great pace and power, which he used to create his penalty chance - Wilfred Bouma out-muscled and out-paced with ease. His best attributes though are the finesse and subtlety he shows around the edge of the box and it is these qualities that mark him out as a cut above your everyday player. He and Tevez now look to be on the same wavelength. On Saturday time and again they played one-twos, dummies and feints, wreaking havoc in Villa’s defence, both players constantly first looking for their strike partner in front of other team mates. Consistency has been a problem for Rooney and he has endured spells where he finds goals difficult to come by and this has meant he hasn’t been given the recognition by the wider world as to how good a player we in England know he is capable of being.
Indeed before Estonia Rooney conceded, 'If Emile was fit the manager would have had a difficult choice to make, I'm sure of that.' Another reason for his occasional shortage of goals is a preference to drop deep into midfield to help build attacks. For Rooney there is equal pleasure in creating a goal as there is scoring it himself. When he does find the net it usually brings about a flurry of goals in the following games, in October for example, he has bagged 6 in 5 games. There is a similarity in all this to the way Carlos Tevez operates, dropping off, slight inconsistency mixed with electrifying displays. However when they are both firing then you put up the barricades and hope for the best, as Villa found to their cost.
Gunners
Arsenal’s barricades refused to be breached by Bolton on Saturday as the Gunners notched up their 10th clean sheet in all competitions this season. They will need similar sturdiness when the top two sides meet in a fortnight’s time and will be pleased by the successful return of captain William Gallas. For all Arsenal’s early season dominance, they have yet to be sufficiently tested and have not met with any of the big sides this season. Tottenham away was Arsenal’s most impressive result (3-1) but their rivals have been far from their best this season. Importantly Arsenal have showed ruthlessness in gaining maximum points from weaker sides in the division that was missing over the last season or two though, and this may become more notable towards the end of the campaign. Arsene Wenger’s side can only beat teams laid before him and they have carried domestic form into Europe with efficient wins over Steaua Bucharest and Sevilla. The real value of Arsenal’s challenge on the Premier League title will be become clearer from the results of their next few games. After Sparta Prague on Tuesday they travel to Liverpool next weekend while Man Utd are at home to Middlesbrough and these results could set the mood for their clash the following week, 'If we get over these two hurdles we'll be very confidenta bout dealing with Man Utd.' Wenger said.
Arsenal have slight injury concerns too, striker Robin van Persie returned from international duty with a jarred knee and will be out for 3-4 weeks. Van Persie has been in scintillating form this season and he more than any, has sought about claiming Thierry Henry’s elevated place in the eyes of the manager and the fans. Emanuelle Adebayor will no doubt lead the line in van Persie’s absence and he has had a fine start to the season. Adebayor looks every bit like a younger, rawer Didier Drogba. He needs only to work on his composure in front of goal before he could become a great player. Wenger will expect more from new signing Eduardo who has taken a while to settle at The Emirates, despite some polished displays in Europe.
Prediction
I predict a close run battle, highly contested with many fouls breaking up the play. It promises to be a fascinating match, with inevitable talking points. I expect Adebayor to cause Rio Ferdinand many problems with his strength and power, the likes of Tomas Rosicky and Alex Hleb looking to feed off any knock downs and hold up play. Paul Scholes and Cesc Fabregas’ duel promises to be a great match up - the old pass master versus the new prodigy. Arsenal may adopt a 4-5-1 system leaving Gilberto Silva or Mathieu Flamini to sit in front of the back four to counter the deep lying Tevez or Rooney, who could be the match winner. Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy will have to be at their best to deal with Cristiano Ronaldo. Final prediction: Draw.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)