By Si Warner
Ever since his turbulent arrival at Anfield in the summer of 2002, El-Hadji Ousseynou Diouf’s persistant on-field antics have established him as, arguably, the most unpopular Premier League player of all time. His sudden departure to Glasgow last week has re-ignited the debate surrounding the most vilified players currently gracing our stadiums each week.
Showing posts with label Premier League. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Premier League. Show all posts
Monday, 7 February 2011
Sunday, 6 February 2011
The Daily Discussion - Who Do West Brom Turn To?
By Alex Henshaw
West Bromwich Albion have today announced that manager Roberto Di Matteo has been relieved of his duties and placed on ‘gardening leave’ with immediate effect.
The Baggies, who lost 3-0 to a Carols Tevez inspired Manchester City yesterday, have cited a run of 13 defeats in their last 18 games as reason behind the decision. Chairman Jeremy Peace has offered the following rationale:
"This has been a tough decision. But we, as a board, believe it is the right one to give the club the best possible chance of remaining in the Premier League."
"Roberto embraced the structure in which we wanted him to work and he has been a good colleague. However, we are in a results-driven industry and felt we had no choice but to act now."
Di Matteo leaves West Brom lingering precariously above the relegation zone in 16th position with 26 points from 25 games. However, their recent form comes in stark contrast to the newly promoted side that took the early part of the Premier League season by storm.
After being crushed 6-0 on the opening day of the season by a rampant Chelsea, The Baggies confounded their doubters by beating the likes of Birmingham and Manchester City before recording a breathtaking victory over Arsenal at The Emirates. Di Matteo also received plaudits for instilling the team’s fearless and attacking brand of football.
The timing of the decision will be questioned by the West Brom faithful. Despite languishing in 16th, Albion welcome fellow relegation rivals West Ham and Wolves to The Hawthorns in consecutive weeks. Di Matteo would have considered both excellent opportunities to advance up the league.
Peace and his board clearly have a different view, and who they turn to next will have a basic remit: preserve the club‘s Premier League status.
The shorltilst will undoubtedly have two exceptional candidates somewhere near the top. Sam Allardyce, recently sacked by the new owners of Blackburn Rovers, would be keen to return to the right job. Martin O’Neill also made clear his willingness to return to top flight management with his ill feted flirtation with West Ham over the vacant managerial position at the Boleyn Ground that nearly but never was.
The question is whether either, or any other potential candidate, can rejuvenate a team low on confidence and tumbling down the table with worrying inevitability?
Thursday, 3 February 2011
The Formation Forum - Chelsea Plus Torres: Diamonds Are...For...Now?
By Si Warner
When Nicolas Anelka signed for Chelsea, the phrase ‘square peg in round hole‘ sprung to mind. "How will he play with Drogba?" gasped the faithful.
Chelsea had stubbornly won 2 titles with a rigid 4-3-3 formation under Mourinho. Avram Grant inherited a team that, in his Santa guise, Roman Abramovich had delivered Anelka as a late Christmas present. Le Sulk often played second fiddle to Le Drog during Grant’s brief reign.
Enter Guus Hiddink under whom Anelka was introduced on the wing where he remained until Carlo Ancelotti arrived. He immediately acknowledged that these "front 2" needed to play as a "front 2".
The diamond formation was perceived to be the solution and it seemed just perfect: Lampard would devour the free role behind the "front 2". Ballack, Essien and Mikel would excel in the midfield triangle (remember Malouda was not very good then). Bosingwa and Cole would revel in the freedom to roam forward and provide width.
It never quite worked to plan though.
Lampard, in particular, was stifled without making his runs from deep and not able to dictate play. A mere 20 games in, Carlo reverted back to 4-3-3.
Anelka moved wide again with formidable yet contrasting returns: the domestic double compensating for a harsh Champions League exit. The formation has existed ever since with Carlo pretty much refusing to alter his plans even when chasing a game.
Now comes the big conundrum: Where does El Nino fit in?
Ideally all three form the deadliest strike-force the Premier league has ever witnessed. However, neither Didier or Fernando have ever drifted from a central striking role (as far as I am aware). Does the tobacco stained Italian tactician revert to a "front 2" and drop Anelka - The same Anelka that was so exquisite at Sunderland this week? How on earth does Malouda fit in to all of this?
Ordinarily, I feel I am pretty nifty at predicting line-ups but, hand on heart, I can honestly say I am simply stumped on this one. Torres will likely be on the bench this weekend and he will accept that. But not for long.
So how do Chelsea accommodate their new £50m man?
When Nicolas Anelka signed for Chelsea, the phrase ‘square peg in round hole‘ sprung to mind. "How will he play with Drogba?" gasped the faithful.
Chelsea had stubbornly won 2 titles with a rigid 4-3-3 formation under Mourinho. Avram Grant inherited a team that, in his Santa guise, Roman Abramovich had delivered Anelka as a late Christmas present. Le Sulk often played second fiddle to Le Drog during Grant’s brief reign.
Enter Guus Hiddink under whom Anelka was introduced on the wing where he remained until Carlo Ancelotti arrived. He immediately acknowledged that these "front 2" needed to play as a "front 2".
The diamond formation was perceived to be the solution and it seemed just perfect: Lampard would devour the free role behind the "front 2". Ballack, Essien and Mikel would excel in the midfield triangle (remember Malouda was not very good then). Bosingwa and Cole would revel in the freedom to roam forward and provide width.
It never quite worked to plan though.
Lampard, in particular, was stifled without making his runs from deep and not able to dictate play. A mere 20 games in, Carlo reverted back to 4-3-3.
Anelka moved wide again with formidable yet contrasting returns: the domestic double compensating for a harsh Champions League exit. The formation has existed ever since with Carlo pretty much refusing to alter his plans even when chasing a game.
Now comes the big conundrum: Where does El Nino fit in?
Ideally all three form the deadliest strike-force the Premier league has ever witnessed. However, neither Didier or Fernando have ever drifted from a central striking role (as far as I am aware). Does the tobacco stained Italian tactician revert to a "front 2" and drop Anelka - The same Anelka that was so exquisite at Sunderland this week? How on earth does Malouda fit in to all of this?
Ordinarily, I feel I am pretty nifty at predicting line-ups but, hand on heart, I can honestly say I am simply stumped on this one. Torres will likely be on the bench this weekend and he will accept that. But not for long.
So how do Chelsea accommodate their new £50m man?
The Daily Discussion - Who would be in your Premier League team of the season so far?
By Alex Henshaw
Now that we are firmly into the second half of the Premier League season, those of us at Mas Que Un Blog have been discussing our team of the season so far, with varying results.
The fixtures thus far have thrown up some consistent performers and brilliant matchwinners. So who would you have in your team and why?
Now that we are firmly into the second half of the Premier League season, those of us at Mas Que Un Blog have been discussing our team of the season so far, with varying results.
The fixtures thus far have thrown up some consistent performers and brilliant matchwinners. So who would you have in your team and why?
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Who is responsible for Hodgson's exit? Ask Goldie Lookin' Chain...
By Alex Henshaw
You won’t be surprised to learn that novelty music (Flight of the Conchords, Tenacious D etc.) is not my first love in life. Which is why I was equally surprised when the first thing to pop into my head when reflecting on today’s sacking of Roy Hodgson by Liverpool FC was the Goldie Lookin’ Chain hit ‘Drugs don’t kill people, Rappers do’. The sound premise behind this crude yet cannily observed number is that a weapon firing and killing isn’t a cause in itself: someone needs to pull the trigger. For GLC’s parody, the answer is warring hip hop artists. In Hodgson's case, the answer as to who is ultimately responsible for his P45 is less clear. I will assess the immediate potential culprits: Hodgson himself and the Liverpool players he managed.
You won’t be surprised to learn that novelty music (Flight of the Conchords, Tenacious D etc.) is not my first love in life. Which is why I was equally surprised when the first thing to pop into my head when reflecting on today’s sacking of Roy Hodgson by Liverpool FC was the Goldie Lookin’ Chain hit ‘Drugs don’t kill people, Rappers do’. The sound premise behind this crude yet cannily observed number is that a weapon firing and killing isn’t a cause in itself: someone needs to pull the trigger. For GLC’s parody, the answer is warring hip hop artists. In Hodgson's case, the answer as to who is ultimately responsible for his P45 is less clear. I will assess the immediate potential culprits: Hodgson himself and the Liverpool players he managed.
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