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No reason to worry
Mike, LFC, Dubai – I get what you’re saying about a double standard, but it doesn’t really work like that. While kicking a bottle in frustration is hardly the worst thing one can do – or Mourinho has done – it’s just not allowed, and there is a precedent for that being punished. But there’s no real concept of red and yellow cards for managers as far as I’m aware; you might get the referee offering a verbal warning before a manager is sent to the stands, but I’m almost certain that the red card wasn’t shown to Jose at any point. There’s just acceptable behaviour and not – Jose behaved unacceptably, so was appropriately punished for it.
In terms of our performance at the moment: I’m less worried now than I was a few weeks ago. The Feyenoord match was a marked improvement and, ideally, I would have liked to see us field the same team next time out, but injuries made that impossible. As it is, I feel like we are playing pretty well at the moment, though admittedly the league results don’t really reflect that. The tactic of turning to Fellaini in the dying moments of the game, and the apparent reliance on Carrick are slight concerns, but I fully expect those to be addressed in the next couple of transfer windows.
Since the Chelsea game we have been creating loads of chances, most of which are being kept out by ‘keepers in pretty inspired form, and we’re not conceding loads, just the odd goal here and there. If we can cut out the silly mistakes at the back and start being a touch more clinical (or at least start finding opposition ‘keepers on their off day for a change), then we’ll start to pick up more points in a hurry. If we weren’t creating the chances – like at the end of Van Gaal’s reign – or our defence was leaking multiple goals every game then yeah, I’d be worried, but I don’t think there’s any reason to right now.
Ted, Manchester
EFL Cup excitement yay
Just thought i’d build upon the feverish League Cup excitement which kicked off in this morning’s mailbox.
Perennial basket case Newcastle United travel to most recent basket case Hull City tonight with the two club’s seemingly heading in opposite directions. The match looks set to be played out infront of a farcical crowd of something approaching 13,000. Without wanting to fulfill the Geordie stereotype of bleating about attendances, this really has been handled appallingly. Hull City’s reluctance to allocate more than 2,800 tickets for away supporters saw a surge of Toon fans buying tickets in the home ends, to the extent that online sales have been pulled from City’s website. The ill feeling on Humberside is such that even £9 tickets are failing to tempt the locals along.
As for the game itself, Newcastle were total dog shit at the weekend in losing 0-1 to a marginally less shit Blackburn Rovers . The defeat ended a nine game winning run and although it’s no real cause for concern it does give an opportunity to call out a few players for not pulling their weight. Chief among these is Ayoze Perez. Consensus was that a season in the Championship would be the making of him but he really has been terrible. Mitrovic was similarly subdued on Saturday but he’s chipped in his fair share of important goals this season despite being inconsistent. Perez is similarly inconsistent but only in the sense that he deviates between being mediocre and terrible. Would no be surprised to see Diame restored to line up behind Gayle.
As mental as this sounds Yoann Gouffran is our best player and the difference when we line up without him is staggering. I will literally fight anyone who says otherwise. His volley away at Derby was such a delight that it caused me to produce what is now known as ” the squeal of Pride Park”.
I think that’s just about covered it.
JC ( Horrendous news concerning Chapecoense. Hopefully somebody far more erudite than me can put into words what a dreadful tragedy this is. May they rest in peace)
In response to the email from Osric the Brave, I thought I’d give my thoughts on the Leeds Liverpool tie tonight from a Leeds fan perspective:
Judging from previous rounds, Monk is likely to rest most of our key starters, particularly with a big game at home to Villa (who are now on the up) at the weekend. That’s likely to mean no Wood, no Taylor, no Bartley, and probably no O’Kane or Sacko either (5 of Leeds main starters, and the whole spine of the team, not starting). Rob Green will also be rested and young Silvestri, who is a great shot-stopper, will play in goal. I can see Wood and Sacko (who is a real pace-merchant winger) being on the bench, and coming on with 20 mins to go if Leeds are still within a goal of Liverpool.
Personally, I think that’s the right move, as the reserves have played throughout the competition, and it’s not right to drop them all here just because we are playing Liverpool. Treat it like every other cup game, that’s the right thing to do.
In terms of players to watch out for from Leeds, if you happen to be watching the game, there are a few:
– I’m hoping that Tyler Denton gets a game at left back. A really promising youngster (21), and next in the queue from the Leeds academy after Charlie Taylor gets his inevitable move to the premiership in January or at the end of the season.
– In central midfield, Ronaldo Viera (what a name!) has been a bit of a revelation for Leeds this season, with a great engine and an eye for a pass, but he is now playing in the first team so he may get a rest tonight.
– At the back, keep an eye out for Pontus Jansson if he plays – a huge, tough tackling centre half who is usually first choice but who didn’t play at the weekend due to suspension, so he may get a game tonight. If anybody is likely to injure Origi (and I hope it doesn’t happen), it’s him. He doesn’t normally take any prisoners, and will be a threat from set-pieces as well.
I think Leeds have at least a hope, mainly because I expect Liverpool to rest almost all of their first team. I wondered if, given the injury crisis, Origi might actually be rested as well – he’s likely to start at the weekend, presumably, and Klopp might not want to risk him here. I haven’t seen Liverpool’s youngsters in action though, so I have no idea if they are as capable of cutting through Leeds as the rest of their squad!
Expect to see Leeds play very defensively, and try to keep the game tight for as long as possible. We can play our football when given the chance, and I think we will be a threat from set-pieces through the aforementioned Jansson, and Doukara if he plays. My head says Liverpool to win 3-0, wearing us down as the game goes on, but my heart says Leeds to win on penalties. Up the Whites!
Niall (it’s the hope that kills you), London
Bit surprised there’s no mails today about Newcastle in the EFLcapitalonecarlingworthingtoncocacolarumbelowslittlewoodsmilk League Cup, to give it its proper name.
We’ve never been to the Semi Final in our history (we haven’t even scored a goal in the quarters) and tonight we are favourites to go through. It shows how good Benitez is, and how much he has galvanised the city. There are 7500 fans with tickets to go and watch the match on a live beam back to St James’, surely there’s not another club in the country who could/would do that for a Tuesday night League Cup game against Hull City. Hopefully we’ll go through and look back on this season as a great starting point for us going forward. A cup Semi and Promotion(?) in the same season, we all would have taken that.
Good luck tonight lads.
John Liddell
Be careful what you wish for
Lovely article on Chunky this morning which touched on what I think is the key point- that he inherited (via Warnock) a Tony Pulis team. We have seen this a few times over recent years, that more expansive managers can take over from a more defensive one and reap the rewards… for a bit. The defensive solidity offered by the former manager’s work allows the expansive play to happen but somehow the media and fans forget this and put the success down to the new guy. This is also used as a stick to whack the old guy, showing he could have been more entertaining all along. However, over a relatively short period of time the defensive solidity is eroded and the house falls down.
The classic example is West Ham. Their fans were told to be careful what they wish for when they wanted Big Sam out. This was gleefully referenced manifold times when Bilic was giving them glorious entertainment last year. Now, they are a point above the relegation zone.
The same argument could be made at Everton. David Moyes’ Everton might have been a little dour but they were effective. Roberto Martinez took over and guided them to fifth in the Premier League and the quarters of the FA Cup in his first season. This was after finishing 8th, 7th, 7th, 6th under Moyes. Martinez was seen as the man to bring attacking excitement to Everton. However, it wasn’t to be and back to back eleventh places followed when it became clear Martinez did not know how to set up a defence.
And now Palace. To go from sixth in the calendar year 2015, with more points that Liverpool and Chelsea, to bottom of the entire league in 2016 is astonishing. They have fewer Premier League points in 2016 than Newcastle. Wow. It was all so different in the early days. Chunky’s verve on top of an organised defence looked great. However, the defensive organisation ebbed and the result is that one of the highest scoring teams in the division is in freefall.
I suppose this is where the good managers are separated from the brilliant ones. A decent defence with an exciting forward line, that is the achievement of Conte this season. Klopp is half way there and Pochettino would be there with Kane fit. In years past this would have fitted Jose perfectly as well but 18 goals in the league this season and conceding more than Liverpool? Work in progress for sure.
Micki Attridge
Just wanted to give a slightly different perspective on the largely justified Pardew-bashing. Allow me to start by saying that he is unquestionably an arse. Right then.
In the 2 seasons Pardew has finished with Palace (finished seasons still being the way to measure League and Cup finishes – we haven’t implemented Daniel Storey’s “since American investment was announced” League Table yet), Palace have 1.) Reached their highest ever Premier League position and 2.) Reached the FA Cup Final. In January 2015, when Pardew took over, Palace were bottom of the League.
Now I realise that we’re in danger of going down this year, albeit not as much danger as when Pardew took over. And I realise that given the fact that we’ve spent money in the intervening years (while every other club has stood still, obviously), only being 3 places higher than when he took over is not a success story at all. But I just wanted to say that I remain absolutely thrilled to be watching us on Match of the Day, to be watching Wilf and Benteke (not Jonathan) have the occasional bright moments for us, while also finding it hilarious that Damien Delaney still gets in our team. I went to watch us at Wembley last season (last season!) and it wasn’t in the playoffs! This. Is. Brilliant.
I’m not saying that Pardew has been the reason for that success, or that he’s the man to get us out of our current extended slump. I’m not sure either of those things is true. I’m just saying that for most of my life we have been in the Championship and unquestionably, for me, the most enjoyable seasons have been the ones in the Premier League (especially 2004/05). Since then we have needed a final day result to avoid relegation to League 1, and our managers have included Neil Warnock, George Burley and Ian Holloway.
We are not a big club. And sometimes it’s not fun supporting Crystal Palace. But since Pardew took over, for me (Clive) it really has been an excellent couple of years. It’s perfectly fine to be worried about the near future, and to want us to improve inexorably, but I really think everyone could do with calming down and enjoying the ride. And if you’re a Newcastle fan who feels at all smug, I guess I’ll just say that not once while we’ve been in the Championship have I looked up at the bright lights of the Premier League and thought “haha at least we’re not them”. Except Sunderland and Derby obviously.
Ben (CPFC)
The feelgood story of the year
Away from the Premiere League and all the hoo ha as to the merits or not of Jose as Utd manager ( My opinion, get in Tony Pullis), there is a feel good story in the lower leagues which is almost up there with the Leicester story as an underdog gone good ( With a slightly happier end of year than Leicester’s current relegation form).
As 2016 started, Wimbledon’s year was going to be the same as the previous two in League 2. Mid table, maybe even a nervy relegation battle. With a stadium capacity of 4800, and reliant on local sponsorship and ticketday revenue rather than a big oil tycoon, and with a team of journey men and youth prospects, the club were comfortable at that level. As a club with the smallest stadium capacity in League 2, it was weird to imagine more than that position, given the pressures of low income on wage structures.
Then something weird happened. Former Wimbledon player Neal Ardley, in his first managerial job, managed to engineer a massive winning streak, winning 7 out of the last ten games of the season, with 1 draw and 2 losses. This was done playing generally attractive, attack based football, and was enough to get the club into 7th and into the playoffs for promotion into League 1. In his second year of the job, after being a mid season replacement and in his first major managerial job, it’s fair to say Neal Ardley exceeded most fans expectations. However, it turns out the team were not satisfied with just being in the play offs. After beating Accrington Stanley, it was AFC Wimbledon’s first trip to Wembley in it’s current incarnation. And it was a successful debut, beating the superior Plymouth Argyle 2-0.
Needless to say, the promotion to League 1 was an extremely important and joyous moment, especially as it was unexpected given the limitations as above. Hwoever, these limitations remained and were accentuated by being in League 1. We were now in possession of the lowest capacity stadium, by far, in League 1. We lost Ade Azeez, Sean Rigg and fan favourite, Adebayo ‘The Beast’ Akifenwa, very important players by any means. Most of the team hadn’t played in League 1, and with a manager with little experience and in a very tough League, most fans and pundits expected a fun but short lived experience in League 1 as the whipping boys of the League.
This certainly appeared to be the case, when the first 5 games yielded only 2 points for the clubs first season in League 1. The team were, frankly, not playing all that well. However, then it all started to change, with a formation change and tough dresser room talk. Suddenly, Wimbledon were winning, and winning big. They now sit in 7th for League 1, an immense achievement thus far, and are 10 points above the relegation zone ( and a very pleasing 8 points above Milton Keynes). they are in the second round of the FA Cup, with a game against non-league Curzon Ashton on Saturday hopefully leading to another third round appearance.
At this stage, it could all go wrong of course. it’s a tough league, and a losing run could again result in a relegation battle. Neal Ardely is clearly an excellent manager and could get poached by another club rightly impressed by how well he is doing. Our best players would probably get paid better at other clubs in league 2, let alone League 1. However, as one of the highest fan run teams in the football pyramid, with a tiny stadium and without the financial status to compete with their peers, it’s hard to say that 2016 has been anything other than a massive success for AFC Wimbledon. We are certainly not League 1 whipping boys!
The future is looking bright: A Second Year in League 1 and hopefully a new, bigger stadium on the way could lead to an even better 2017. A long way from forming as a non-league club in 2002…
Zahid ( AFC Wimbledon, obviously) Fayyaz
High horse
I must say an excellent point made by Rob, Guangzhou on F365’s high horse. Before you shrug and roll your eyes, I am not here to bash F365 for being open-minded about the issues that seep into our game; their coverage of such issues is outstanding and the alternative view from the red-tops is the reason the site is such a great outlet for news and opinions.
I do think however, there is a point to be made about possible double standards from the site. The PFM for example, is, after all, the site’s stereotypical view on a group of people associated with the game. Could you imagine for one moment, a foreign alternative to the PFM, with their own stereotypical behaviours and opinions? Why not? Is it not F365’s quest to create a balance and mix of different points of view? How do we know those dubbed as PFMs aren’t outraged by how they’re being portrayed on the site? Could they be out seeking legal advice as we speak?
I understand this is light-hearted satire and is designed to be appreciated as such, but where do we draw the line? As we as society become ever more open-minded, the window for this kind of jest becomes smaller and smaller. Eventually, we may develop such an open mind towards others that we begin to forget or even resent that which we are ourselves.
Sean, Chelsea Football Club Supporter, South East England.
If there is such a thing as reverse xenophobia I’d like to think that F365 are not guilty of it, at least I hope not. I agree you could contrast their views on say Sherwood/Pardew versus Garde/Bradley but there aren’t enough British managers, rightly or wrongly, in the top flight to convincingly suggest that they are making positive or negative judgements based solely on their nationality or class. I’m not sure how you would accurately gauge if a foreign manager was a PFM or their social class and even then is it relevant to any praise or criticism? This site is predominantly focused on the Premier League so if a couple of British managers get derided it can look like an agenda forming. There are more foreign managers to praise particularly at the more popular and successful clubs (which are of more interest to readers) so it could appear that they are getting more than their fair share of acclaim. SEO has a lot to answer for.
If they were to broaden their outlook below the Premier League where British (and I assume working class) managers become the majority again then I’m sure that there would be positive and negative views on everyone. Barry Fry, the ‘Director of Football’ at my hometown club Peterborough United, would have his own section in Mediawatch every single day but he is in a class of his own.
CP, Cambridge
I Think Rob, Guangzhou, is thinking of something along the lines of positive discrimination – ie giving someone something because they’re in the minority, not because they’re good or whatever.
As for F365, I don’t think they’re guilty of this at all – all I see is them basically telling managers who think they should be given the top jobs in England, because they’re English, or they’ve played in England, to shush. Is it positive discrimination to say Pep is a better manager than Giggs? I hardly think so.
Rob (Hull fan in) Leeds
Thank you
Eight weeks ago, sat on a train in the most vulnerable of states, I wrote here of my father’s newly diagnosed cancer. Well, here I am again on a train somewhere near Peterborough en route to the north east for his funeral. It got him far quicker than anyone imagined. It gave him no chance whatsoever to even begin to fight it and here is not the place to describe the horror and indignity of this disease.
I wrote then to get off my chest the feelings and memories that were running through my head, and I write now to say thanks to F365 for giving me the opportunity to vent in public. Having my memories published gives them a permanence which provides some comfort.
Thanks also to all those readers who responded in the mailbox in the following couple of days. It was good to know that there were people out there who for a minute or two shared the grief of a total stranger they will never meet. People are nice sometimes, as a non-F365 reading friend of mine said. Although the response brought me to tears, it did help and I have printed out those mailboxes and stored them with other mementoes of my father.
Love and gratitude to you all
Paul (the Geordie Liverpool fan)
