1. Scott Dann is key to Blackburn staying up.
For all the goals of Yakubu and Junior Hoilett (the two have scored over half the teams total between them) it is at the back where Blackburn have improved of late. Key to that has been the return from injury of Scott Dann. With Samba disappearing on a boat of money to the Russian leagues, many people thought Steve Kean’s days were even more numbered than they already were. Instead the team has rallied, claiming back to back wins for the first time and kept not one, but two clean sheets. Dann is still young and probably still deserves to be playing at a bigger club. He was imperious for a season with Roger Johnson at Birmingham before injury disrupted their partnership. With his former partner currently benched for his crimes and left to watch helplessly as Wolves give everyone an example at how not to defend, Dann has quietly got back on with his business again. If Blackburn are to stay up, they will need his leadership at the back along with the goals of the Yak to do so. Thankfully for Steve Kean, both men have now given him a genuine chance of that being a reality.
For all the goals of Yakubu and Junior Hoilett (the two have scored over half the teams total between them) it is at the back where Blackburn have improved of late. Key to that has been the return from injury of Scott Dann. With Samba disappearing on a boat of money to the Russian leagues, many people thought Steve Kean’s days were even more numbered than they already were. Instead the team has rallied, claiming back to back wins for the first time and kept not one, but two clean sheets. Dann is still young and probably still deserves to be playing at a bigger club. He was imperious for a season with Roger Johnson at Birmingham before injury disrupted their partnership. With his former partner currently benched for his crimes and left to watch helplessly as Wolves give everyone an example at how not to defend, Dann has quietly got back on with his business again. If Blackburn are to stay up, they will need his leadership at the back along with the goals of the Yak to do so. Thankfully for Steve Kean, both men have now given him a genuine chance of that being a reality.
2. Liverpool might not need new players, but a new manager.
When Kenny returned to the Premiership last year it was seen as the return of a hero. One of Liverpool’s greatest every players, already a successful manager who many had thought quit the art too soon. Initially Kenny was jovial, laid back and looked like he had all the credentials to succeed again. Over the months however, that veneer has slowly been peeled away to reveal a man on the edge. A man who has stood behind a racist, who has made terrible transfer decisions, has rotated for rotations sake and looks tactically naive at the highest level. Liverpool sit in 7th, with no real belief that they will finish any higher and are in danger of being labelled simply “a cup team”. Which is at least better than being say Aston Villa, who are merely labelled “a team.” This week, to add to the numerously mystifying statements that Kenny has come out with over the past year, the former “King” claimed that his new signings “had done fantastically well... if anyone is going to come in they will have to be a hell of player to do better than what they have done.” Really Kenny? I, like many in football who aren’t now completely insane, see it slightly differently. For somebody to be better than Andy Carroll they will have to score around 6 goals... and not cost 35million. For somebody to be better than Stuart Downing they will to create or score a single goal during their first six months with the club. For somebody to be better than Luiz Suarez they will ideally have a better strike conversion rate than 0.000003% and not be banned for a quarter of the season for racially abusing other players. For somebody to be better than Jordan Henderson... they will have to be alive. Winning both cups may be seen as a success to Liverpool fans, but Champions League football and competing seriously for the title has to be the aim of a club of this stature. You can say what you like about Rafa Benetiz, but right now he still looks a much better manager than Daglish and Liverpool could do worse than ask him back for another stab. Especially as they now seem to have money towaste spend.
When Kenny returned to the Premiership last year it was seen as the return of a hero. One of Liverpool’s greatest every players, already a successful manager who many had thought quit the art too soon. Initially Kenny was jovial, laid back and looked like he had all the credentials to succeed again. Over the months however, that veneer has slowly been peeled away to reveal a man on the edge. A man who has stood behind a racist, who has made terrible transfer decisions, has rotated for rotations sake and looks tactically naive at the highest level. Liverpool sit in 7th, with no real belief that they will finish any higher and are in danger of being labelled simply “a cup team”. Which is at least better than being say Aston Villa, who are merely labelled “a team.” This week, to add to the numerously mystifying statements that Kenny has come out with over the past year, the former “King” claimed that his new signings “had done fantastically well... if anyone is going to come in they will have to be a hell of player to do better than what they have done.” Really Kenny? I, like many in football who aren’t now completely insane, see it slightly differently. For somebody to be better than Andy Carroll they will have to score around 6 goals... and not cost 35million. For somebody to be better than Stuart Downing they will to create or score a single goal during their first six months with the club. For somebody to be better than Luiz Suarez they will ideally have a better strike conversion rate than 0.000003% and not be banned for a quarter of the season for racially abusing other players. For somebody to be better than Jordan Henderson... they will have to be alive. Winning both cups may be seen as a success to Liverpool fans, but Champions League football and competing seriously for the title has to be the aim of a club of this stature. You can say what you like about Rafa Benetiz, but right now he still looks a much better manager than Daglish and Liverpool could do worse than ask him back for another stab. Especially as they now seem to have money to
3. Adel Taarabt isn’t good enough for the top flight.
Last season Adel Taarabt was the man for Queens Park Rangers as they stormed to the League Championship. He scored or created over 30 goals, won the player of the year award and, as captain, looked well set to fulfil his potential. The close season didn’t go brilliantly for him however. Taarabt didn’t so much have his head turned, but try and turn the heads of everyone else with some strange and arrogant statements such as “I know I’m good enough to play for the top 4 in Spain and I know that they want me.” As it was, nobody wanted him and Taarabt started the season poorly, before playing even worse around Christmas and then briefly progressing back up to poor again. Last night Taarabt secured only his second assist of the campaign. He hasn’t scored all season, having had more shots than anyone else in the division with the same number. He has played for 1450 minutes, often as the main creator in his team and has scored or assisted no goals. That is a damning stat for a man who could “walk into the Arsenal team” and a key reason why QPR are where they are in the league. Perhaps last night’s result will spur him on to greater things. But when Jamie Mackie looks twice the player you do you’re in trouble. Michael Brown, Michael Tongue, Darren Huckerby, David Nugent, Ebanks-Blake – there is a long list of top Championship players who just couldn’t cut it higher up the ladder. Taarabt is going to have to do something pretty special next season if his name isn’t going to be joining that list.
Last season Adel Taarabt was the man for Queens Park Rangers as they stormed to the League Championship. He scored or created over 30 goals, won the player of the year award and, as captain, looked well set to fulfil his potential. The close season didn’t go brilliantly for him however. Taarabt didn’t so much have his head turned, but try and turn the heads of everyone else with some strange and arrogant statements such as “I know I’m good enough to play for the top 4 in Spain and I know that they want me.” As it was, nobody wanted him and Taarabt started the season poorly, before playing even worse around Christmas and then briefly progressing back up to poor again. Last night Taarabt secured only his second assist of the campaign. He hasn’t scored all season, having had more shots than anyone else in the division with the same number. He has played for 1450 minutes, often as the main creator in his team and has scored or assisted no goals. That is a damning stat for a man who could “walk into the Arsenal team” and a key reason why QPR are where they are in the league. Perhaps last night’s result will spur him on to greater things. But when Jamie Mackie looks twice the player you do you’re in trouble. Michael Brown, Michael Tongue, Darren Huckerby, David Nugent, Ebanks-Blake – there is a long list of top Championship players who just couldn’t cut it higher up the ladder. Taarabt is going to have to do something pretty special next season if his name isn’t going to be joining that list.
4. The Tevez sideshow isn’t going away.
You have to give Manchester City credit, when Chelsea and Jose burst onto the screen, buying everything in sight, winning all the time and generally being bastards they were just so fucking boring about it. City on the other hand, are pure box office. With rapid infighting, wildly inconsistent form, sumptuous attacking play and two strikers with massive personality disorders, City have thrilled us all season in a series of dramatic “what will they do next” scenarios. Yesterday, following on from a first half performance from Balotelli that could be politely described as “casual,” Tevez came on for his first appearance since Munich. Many thought he would never play in a City shirt again, but given nobody else in the world can afford his exorbitant wages, it was always likely that this moment was going to come. Now City need him more than ever. Within 5 minutes he had chased down two balls and won back possession, before supplying the telling assist for Nasri’s wonderful finish. Regardless of whether Tevez drives City on to the title though, this is a team that remains on the edge in every way. Roberto Mancini has the best team and squad in the league by an embarrassing distance and Hansen’s statement that if the managers of the two Manchester clubs changed jobs the gap would be 20 points is pretty damning. The Italian has to get the team back on his side regardless of what happens come May. For my money, for all their entertainment, that should probably mean both Super Mario and Crazy Carlos moving on...
You have to give Manchester City credit, when Chelsea and Jose burst onto the screen, buying everything in sight, winning all the time and generally being bastards they were just so fucking boring about it. City on the other hand, are pure box office. With rapid infighting, wildly inconsistent form, sumptuous attacking play and two strikers with massive personality disorders, City have thrilled us all season in a series of dramatic “what will they do next” scenarios. Yesterday, following on from a first half performance from Balotelli that could be politely described as “casual,” Tevez came on for his first appearance since Munich. Many thought he would never play in a City shirt again, but given nobody else in the world can afford his exorbitant wages, it was always likely that this moment was going to come. Now City need him more than ever. Within 5 minutes he had chased down two balls and won back possession, before supplying the telling assist for Nasri’s wonderful finish. Regardless of whether Tevez drives City on to the title though, this is a team that remains on the edge in every way. Roberto Mancini has the best team and squad in the league by an embarrassing distance and Hansen’s statement that if the managers of the two Manchester clubs changed jobs the gap would be 20 points is pretty damning. The Italian has to get the team back on his side regardless of what happens come May. For my money, for all their entertainment, that should probably mean both Super Mario and Crazy Carlos moving on...
5. Spurs are in real danger of finishing 5th.
A month is a long time in football and at the start of the last one, Jermaine Defoe was just an inch away from winning the game at Manchester City to take Spurs 2 points off the summit of the Premier League. They would have been unbeaten in 20 games and were playing the best attacking football in the division. As it was, he missed and City went up the other end and bought a penalty. Since then, Spurs have won just twice in eight matches and have been hammered by Arsenal in the process. A 12 point cushion over their North London rivals has been eaten away to them being 1 point behind; a scenario that seemed completely implausible 6 weeks ago. In the current Premier League form table, Liverpool and Spurs occupy 16th and 17th with only the current bottom three beneath them. Whatever truth there is in Harry’s head being turned by the England job is now irrelevant. Redknapp has trimmed his squad to the bare bones and then seen injuries disrupt his rhythm. It’s easy to manage a top club when the best XI are all fighting fit, the true skill comes in using all the players in the best way over a season. Sticking Luca Modric on the left wing and Gareth Bale in the number 10 role aren’t the way to do that. A three year old with a dusty subbuteo set could give you that information ‘Arry. The good news for Spurs fans is that 7/8 of their last 9 fixtures look very winnable and they still sit four points ahead of Chelsea, who could implode again at any moment. The bad news? The next game is away to Chelsea this Saturday. Lose that and 5th isn’t just a possibility, it’s a likelihood.
A month is a long time in football and at the start of the last one, Jermaine Defoe was just an inch away from winning the game at Manchester City to take Spurs 2 points off the summit of the Premier League. They would have been unbeaten in 20 games and were playing the best attacking football in the division. As it was, he missed and City went up the other end and bought a penalty. Since then, Spurs have won just twice in eight matches and have been hammered by Arsenal in the process. A 12 point cushion over their North London rivals has been eaten away to them being 1 point behind; a scenario that seemed completely implausible 6 weeks ago. In the current Premier League form table, Liverpool and Spurs occupy 16th and 17th with only the current bottom three beneath them. Whatever truth there is in Harry’s head being turned by the England job is now irrelevant. Redknapp has trimmed his squad to the bare bones and then seen injuries disrupt his rhythm. It’s easy to manage a top club when the best XI are all fighting fit, the true skill comes in using all the players in the best way over a season. Sticking Luca Modric on the left wing and Gareth Bale in the number 10 role aren’t the way to do that. A three year old with a dusty subbuteo set could give you that information ‘Arry. The good news for Spurs fans is that 7/8 of their last 9 fixtures look very winnable and they still sit four points ahead of Chelsea, who could implode again at any moment. The bad news? The next game is away to Chelsea this Saturday. Lose that and 5th isn’t just a possibility, it’s a likelihood.