5 Things We Learned From The Prem After Matchweek 1

Saturday mornings used to be the most enjoyable part of my week.

Now, I feel like I’m watching my ex-girlfriend. She’s moved on with her life. She hangs with a completely different crowd now. And to be honest, she’s sexier than ever. While I wake up early Saturday mornings, to follow live tweets about a visit from Rotherham, or a trip to Huddersfield. #LifeAfterRelegation

Having spilled my feelings and bitterness to you, here are the five things we learned from a thrilling opening weekend to the 2016/17 Premier League season.

1) Conte figured out how to sell soccer to Americans
It didn’t work when Will Ferrell and Mike Ditka tried it in the highly underrated cult classic Kicking & Screaming. But 4-2-4 is the formation that continually teases the audience “there’s going to be a goal here!” Antonio Conte got his winner courtesy of a hungry, and mildly less petulant, Diego Costa.

Chelsea very much look like a team prepared to wear down their opponents over the course of a match, and pounce when the time is right. How Italian of them. They won’t win matches by many goals, but they will win many matches.

Watching Eden Hazard and Willian come off in a 1-1 game must have had most Chelsea fans thinking, “oh God. This guy’s just happy to win one point on his debut!” But all three subs looked inspired and really upped the pressure on West Ham‘s tired defense. I didn’t think we’d ever see Victor Moses in a Chelsea shirt again. He didn’t look half bad! And I’m talking about his play! Those Chelsea tops are awful.

Chelsea probably could have been more creative. Despite James Collins‘ fine equaliser, West Ham really didn’t seem up for it Monday night. Conte’s side would have had the opportunity to create more chances with Cesc Fabregas on the pitch instead of one of either N’Golo Kanté or Nemanja Matic.

Lucky for Conte, he’s got about 55 more matches to play around with things.

2) Man United have got their swagger back
We knew Manchester United would be a different side with José Mourinho running the show. And while it was just the season opener away to Bournemouth, it was clear to see that United have this aura about them that they haven’t had since winning the title three years ago. Scary to think what they’ll look like once Paul Pogba reintegrates himself back in to the team.

You can already see Zlatan Ibrahimovic‘s confidence wearing off on his teammates. In two matches now, they’ve played with a composure that was rarely noticeable under LVG.  Wayne Rooney wasn’t all that impressive, but he’s certainly been worse and if he gets his name on the scoresheet every time he plays a match like that, he’s going to keep his place in the side.

3) Wenger will panic buy on Deadline Day
Have we unknowingly stumbled on to a near decade-long conspiracy where Arsene Wenger leaves all his business until the last few days of the window so that Sky Sports can keep “Jim White Day” going?

I can’t remember the last time I didn’t read or hear “injury crisis” and “Arsenal” in the same sentence.  There’s a great game show brewing at The Emirates: “who’s this guy you’ve never heard of before in Wenger’s XI?” That game works for reading transfer rumours as well.

Buckle up and prepare to read endless unknowns from the lesser televised regions of Europe linked with a move to the Gunners. Or, maybe Wenger will just wait for captain Per Mertesacker to return from injury in five months.

Certainly Rob Holding deserved a better debut than that? Word was Francis Coquelin had been training next to Callum Chambers in pre-season. That could be the centreback pairing when Arsenal visit champions Leicester in Saturday’s late kickoff.

4) Children’s crests are SO in right now
Not to enrage all you Manchester City and West Ham supporters. You’re an incredibly passionate and loyal bunch. Your teams have real history and tradition. So why on earth have the badges become so simplistic they look like they were designed on Snapchat?

5) Hull will not be relegated on zero points
Fueled by the last placed predictions of everyone from Hull to Hong Kong, and the presence of the champions in the first Premier League match of this new season, the Tigers showed us that magic isn’t reserved simply for Leicester. I thought a Leicester win was the lock of the weekend. Clearly I know nothing. And Claudio Ranieri meant it when he said, “staying up is the focus.”

NOTABLE MENTION
Pep Guardiola doesn’t have the Hart for Shrewsbury Joe. Really don’t know why he would wait til the start of the season to send that message to Hart, everyone watching, and most importantly, clubs with a goalkeeper to sell. Willy Caballero will do the trick for now. He genuinely appears to relish the role of sweeper keeper. But expect a bigger name to walk in to The Etihad before the window closes.

Jürgen Klopp didn’t realise he hired his doppelgänger when he convinced fitness coach Andreas Kornmayer to trade Bavaria for Merseyside. Or, more likely, Klopp knew that having Kornmayer around would help protect him from angry players and fans when these three-a-day training sessions put half the squad on the disabled list. One of them must drive a Saab still, right? #ArchitectsGlasses

Watch out Gary Lineker: Andy Townsend is coming for you mate! And he didn’t even need to take his clothes off.

I really enjoyed the Premier League Productions ‘Matchday Live’ half-time and post-match set up with just Townsend and former Canadian Owen Hargreaves standing in a poshy looking footballer’s cottage, speaking about Chelsea and West Ham like a couple of pros just bantering All that was missing was a couple of pints on that monitor/table. Though now that hosts have been replaced from host-worthy analysts, I better re-start the “backup” career plans…

2016/17 Premier League season preview (1-5)

5) ARSENAL
This is the year Arsene Wenger doesn’t win his “fourth place trophy.” And the Frenchman has absolutely no one to blame but himself.

The Gunners seem willing to spend more and more every window, but they don’t. Partly because they aren’t willing to overpay, leave that to team’s like Juventus. But increasingly because Arsenal is not the attractive destination it should be. London and playing in the Champions League have plenty of appeal yes, but finishing second last year was as damaging to Arsenal’s ambitions as any finish since Wenger arrived.

As unfair as it may be, with Chelsea, United and City‘s inabilities last season the title was Arsenal’s to lose. And that they did.

Granit Xhaka is a nifty player, but not what they needed. Defensively Arsenal could be in as much trouble to start this year as they were that season they bought Per Mertesacker and that fat Brasilian on the final day of the summer window. On paper this is a top side. But why gamble again that Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck and Santi Cazorla will be fit to contribute for any more than a COMBINED 38 matches?

Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez are unfairly forced to carry too much of the load, while Olivier Giroud is being set up to fail. And most Gooners will tell you he doesn’t need any help with that.

This is supposed to be Wenger’s last season at The Emirates, and by the end of it I think he will regret not retiring after that second FA Cup win.

4) TOTTENHAM
Finishing above Arsenal is the equivalent of winning the league, isn’t it?

For months I critised Tottenham for “playing above their weight” and slammed their inconsistencies. I didn’t come around until it was actually a two horse title race. I was happy at that point to admit I was completely wrong. But how did Spurs finish the season? By looking exactly like a team that had been playing better than they really were for months and couldn’t cut it in the end with the pressure as high as could be. They will never get that close again. But, the future looks fantastic.

Preparing to open a new 60,000 seat stadium moreso than having learned from wasteful purchases, Daniel Levy was unusually quiet this summer. Reading Mauricio Pochettino‘s quotes this pre-season, the Argentine thinks he has best team Tottenham have ever put out on the pitch. He wanted Victor Wanyama last season, and now he’s got him, increasing squad depth while making Spurs more difficult to score on. 22 year old Vincent Janssen joined from AZ Alkmaar for a pricey £17 million but should take some of the scoring load off Harry Kane. Both seem like “very” Pochettino purchases, which might explain why head of recruitment Paul Mitchell quit.

Champions League nights at Wembley will be a real treat for the Spurs faithful.

Eric Dier should follow up his coming-out season with an even better campaign, having had a great experience at Euro 2016. While Kane and Deli Alli will hope to play as well as they did in a Spurs shirt last season, and nothing like the way they played with an England one on.

This is England’s team. Maybe that’s why I’m not sold?

3) MANCHESTER CITY
Sheikh Mansour made no secret of the Abu Dhabi United’s Group’s intentions when they purchased Manchester City and changed the landscape of English football overnight. This is what they were building towards. This is the dream they envisioned. I don’t know if this was the squad Pep thought he would have to work with when he accepted the job last winter, but so be it.

This will be Pep Guardiola‘s toughest challenge yet. When he arrived at Bayern he inherited treble winners. At City, he has inherited a very expensive collection of players and assembled a fantasy football XI. İlkay Gündoğan will be an instant superstar, if he can actually string together a good run of matches. Nolito showed his worth during Spain’s brief run at Euro 2016. Clearly management thought if they paid £50 million they would get the John Stones from 2014/15, and not the one that played last season and probably isn’t worth half that. But hey, at least Martin Demichelis is gone!

Kevin De Bruyne is the perfect player to build a team around. Sergio Agüero might be the best (proper) striker Pep has ever had. David Silva should flourish, and Pep might actually be able to get the best out of Jesus Navas.

Mistake-free possession football might never be a thing at The Etihad this season. But as long as City challenge for the title and build off a hugely impressive Champions League semi-final appearance, Mansour’s master plan will continue to move in the right direction.

And at the risk of never being served a drink at the Man City Supporters Club of Toronto again, why did they change the crest? It looks like a children’s team logo.

2) MANCHESTER UNITED
Let the José Mourinho era begin! The Special One was given his dream job and wasted little time inspiring the fan-base with the feeling that winning would return to Old Trafford. Spending £89 million on one player will do that.

Even before Paul Pogba arrived, I had picked Manchester United in my Top 3. They were close to a Champions League place last season, playing under a manager that never once knew what he wanted. Mourinho only wants to win, and doesn’t care what it takes to do it. He will quickly have to find the best use for Pogba, because the Frenchman’s place has such a ripple effect on the entire squad. Playing him on the wing with Wayne Rooney employed behind new boy Zlatan Ibahimovic serving as the lone striker may be the best option. But that leaves Henrikh Mkhitaryan out, and that might be José’s biggest headache this season. Well, that and the Manchester media following him around town.

I wonder what Mourinho thinks of the statisticians at the University of Salford that used math to conclude the signings of Pogba and Ibra were worth 10 more points. Their tests revealed the pair increased United’s chances of winning the title by 4%. You know what everyone always says, “the Premier League needs more math!”

It’s funny to read so much of criticism of Ibrahimovic, that he doesn’t have much left in the tank. He climbed up over Wes Morgan with ease to get his head on that Community Shield winning goal. The only player stronger than Morgan I think, is his Leicester teammate Jeffrey Schlupp. Ibra scored 38 league goals last season. Surely he can bag 15 in his Premier League debut season.

I expect to see a very different Mourinho this year. One that isn’t as quick to make headlines. One that selectively picks fights with his rivals. From an entertainment perspective, this could be the most boring year with Mourinho working in the Premier League. But that’s strictly off the pitch and between matches. On the pitch, United will be “must watch TV” every single week.

1) CHELSEA
This really wasn’t an easy choice for me. I sat and debated for the longest time. But in the end, Antonio Conte is the ultimate X-factor. He has made a career of getting new jobs because of his ability to achieve success, with very little at his disposal. Have you seen Chelsea‘s back-line?

This is an aging squad that grossly underachieved for half of last season. But if there’s a man to get Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic to play to their full potential, it’s absolutely Antonio Conte.

Hazard looked inspired and hungry in pre-season. Perhaps fueled by Belgium‘s disappointment at Euro 2016? Great player to have in your side. Costa knows he is on a short leash and this is his last opportunity to keep his big paycheque. Fabregas still has the quality to be one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. And it looks like he also shares the same “hair guy” as his new manager?

It’s a good thing Conte has the best hair plugs in the world because Chelsea’s defense is likely to stress him out a bit. As always he will rely on a back three. N’Golo Kanté, Matic and Thibaut Courtois may find it tiring to play four men down every Saturday.

Jokes aside, defense is Chelsea’s biggest weakness heading in to this season. But for all John Terry and Gary Cahill‘s faults, they can succeed with the simplified system Conte will employ. That’s what Kanté brings and why he was such a priority. £32 million will prove to be a bargain.

The price paid for Michy Batshuayi surprised many, and so will his play this year. The Belgian was an unknown to anyone but avid Ligue 1 viewers before Euro 2016. He’s 22-years-old, still very much a raw talent and was the fourth leading goalscorer in France last season, potting 17 for Marseille. Forwards from L’OM have a history of playing well at Stamford Bridge. They do not need to overpay to bring Romelu Lukaku back.

Roman Abramovich took a big risk appointing Conte. This is a man that happily confronted disapproving Ultras while managing Atalanta. He is afraid of nothing, except maybe failure. But he hasn’t experienced that in years. Tip for Chelsea’s Ultras: don’t mess with Conte!

Thanks for reading my 2016/17 Premier League season preview series! Be sure to listen to the weekly Soccer Central podcast. Follow me on twitter, instagram and SnapChat: @brendan_dunlop

2016/17 Premier League Season preview

It feels like it was only two weeks ago that Leicester City were crowned champions after the most incredible season in the history of team sports. But here we are on the brink of a brand new Premier League campaign.

Gone is the Barclays sponsorship, which means no one will ever have to call it “The BPL” again. And gone too are two of the biggest clubs in England. But in come three new manager’s at three of the biggest clubs in the world. Two of which, ply their trade off the continent for the very first time.

José Mourinho wasted little time putting his stamp on Manchester United spending a world record £89 million to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford. But don’t expect Zlatan Ibrahimovic to let that take any shine off his first season in the Prem.

As hard as he will try, Pep Guardiola is certain to get drawn in to a spat with his longtime and now cross-town rival. Coming off their worst season in recent years, there’s a lot of pressure on Manchester City to bounce back quickly. They have some good pieces, but this will be Pep’s most difficult challenge yet.

Arsene Wenger must be saving all his business for the last week of the transfer window. Meaning, I might as well write one of these again in three weeks. Either that or, he thinks he actually has a strong enough side to compete this season?

And how can Claudio Ranieri and co. follow up last season?

Over the next few days I will preview all 20 Premier League clubs and predict exactly where I think they will finish come season’s end. Because pre-season predictions are always a good idea.

The Soccer Central podcast is back. James Sharman, Thomas Dobby and I got back in the studio Tuesday to preview the brand new season. Have a listen here, or download the pod weekly on iTunes.

The Special One finds his special place

What a time to be alive.

It took longer than he wanted, but José Mourinho finally has his dream job.

Following in the steps of one man in over his head, and another whose head was so far up in the clouds he often couldn’t see what was going on around him, the 53 year-old was hired to return “football’s most storied club” to the glory years enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Remember this is the guy that was once arrested for obstructing animal health officials and police from quarantining his dog.

I’m not saying this isn’t the right move for both parties. I’ve been waiting for this appointment since Fergie announced his retirement. I just fully understand why it took so long, and why not everyone in the Manchester United hierarchy believes Mourinho deserves this job.

If Manchester City didn’t hire Pep Guardiola, this article is about PSG‘s new fiery skip “L’un Homme Spécial.”

In many ways this is heartbreaking for United. Gone are the days when they could sit on their thrown atop the mountain while their “noisy neighbours” struggled quite hilariously to climb the grassy slopes, like a Range Rover Evoque with summer tyres. Now City actions force United reactions. And this is by far the best move possible.

Mourinho has charisma and a personality like few others in professional sports. Everywhere José has been he makes enemies. But he is beloved by tens of millions. He can make average players look great. He terrorizes the minds of his opposition. And he is always going to leave us with a great quote.

But while his CV is envied by every manager, Jose’s act is a tired one. Owners have quit on him. Players have quit on him. Very few managers are successful at the very top for more than ten years.

Mourinho won six league titles and the Champions League twice between 2002 and 2010. Since then he has won just two league crowns and left two clubs a complete mess. And no I am not a Barca favouring Spanish journalist. I was referring to Inter.

In English football’s 128 year history, only four managers have won the league with more than one club. Tom Watson, Herbert Chapman, Brian Clough and Kenny Dalglish.

Won’t stop millions from running to the betting shops to put a wager on the Red Devils, with only the Europa League to distract them this season. And José will become the fifth. Just in his second season, of course.

At United winning is just expected. It’s how you win that is the most important thing.

Louis van Gaal was feverishly criticized by the United faithful for not playing attractive football. Mourinho has made a career of filling trophy cabinets 1-0. And not the exciting Leicester way. But the way that empowers your soccer hating friends to say “this is supposed to be one of the best sawker teams around and they can only score one goal in an hour and a half?”

Mou has many detractors to win over. Several wear the suits that argued for weeks about his image rights. A few more are in the dressing room he will walk in to like he owns. It’s a good thing he has the entire pre-season to put his stamp on things.

So now we wait for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make his way to the red side of Manchester. “Came as a king. Left as an assistant manager?” as one so eloquently said on Football Weekly in reference to rumour that José was going to bring Ibra to Old Trafford, but not as a player. Now there’s someone that Pep Guardiola would love to poke in the eye during a touch line skirmish.

Tough break for Juan Mata. Was the best player in the Premier League four years ago. José shows up, ships him out and he’s been trying to kill the unfair reputation of being a “Chelsea failure” ever since. Rumours of Mata for Willian have already started. Jesse Lingard doesn’t stand a chance of keeping a spot in the first team now. Adnan Januzaj is begging Borussia Dortmund to come save him. Marcus Rashford is… Naw. Rashford is good. He’s an England man now!

Or maybe, José Mourinho has in fact changed. Maybe he will give young players a chance to establish themselves. Maybe he will bite his tongue when opposing managers rile him up. Maybe he will instruct his players to put on a show for their loyal supporters.

Whether Mourinho’s tenure at Old Trafford mirrors Fergie’s or not, there is one guarantee in all of this: it will be worth watching.

3 Things We Learned From The Prem – Mar. 3

It’s weeks like these when I’m really happy I didn’t choose to be a “professional gambler” for a living…

1) Nobody wants to win the Premier League title
Arsenal‘s lack of desire will be the end of Arsene Wenger. Sick of hearing his club criticised for their “lack of mental fortitude”, Wenger sniped at reporters comparing their opinions to weather forecast. Yes, changeable and pretty flaky is also a brilliant way to describe the way Arsenal’s play over the course of the year. Wednesday’s loss to Swansea might actually be worse than losing to Manchester United‘s reserves. Sweet revenge for Ashley Williams who desperately wanted a move to The Emirates a few years back but Wenger scoffed at his £10 million price tag.

I thought a Tottenham win was the lock of the week. If going top wasn’t enough to motivate Spurs to find another gear and treat an away match like they’re playing at home, I don’t know how much longer they can actually challenge.

Manchester City were shambolic at Anfield. Would never have guessed they’d miss the chance to close the gap with Leicester dropping points on Tuesday. The Foxes were the only ones to show a real desire this week.

2) League Cup hangovers are as bad as any
Manchester has one of the best nightlife scenes in all of Europe. I didn’t know that included Monday and Tuesday nights though.

How can you compete with a team for 120 minutes, enjoy the euphoria of winning a cup final on penalties, and then get smashed three days later by the same club? Depth has been a concern for Man City every season. And while, on their day, City can look like the best club in the world, they can not do it consistently battling on multiple fronts.

They won another trophy on the weekend, but they most likely threw away any chance of adding another Premier League trophy to the cabinet this spring. A 10 point gap is nearly insurmountable for the best of teams. From what we’ve seen of City since Christmas, they’re hardly in that category.

3) Marcus Rashford needs LVG
Held off the scoresheet for the first time in his stellar one week career, Marcus Rashford showed plenty of quality and took another big step towards proving that he is a Premier League calibre player. Enjoy “Red Rash” for the rest of this season United fans. Because Jose Mourinho sure as hell won’t play him if, according to rumours of a pending three year deal, he takes over in the summer. Rashford is exactly the type of young player Jose is keen to staple to the bench and mentally exhaust to the point that Rashford considers another career path. Like becoming a singer, or a real estate agent.

NOTABLE MENTION
Credit to West Ham for denying Tottenham the opportunity to join Leicester at the top of the table. Slaven Bilic has rather quietly turned the Hammers in to a team your club is afraid to play. Nobody thought West Ham had a chance at finishing in a European place this season. The way they looked on Wednesday, West Ham just might be able to challenge both Manchester clubs for fourth place.

Juan Mata looked pretty good wearing that captain’s armband. Clearly motivated him to score that beautiful free kick. And he looks like a Mediterranean, follically comfortable Wayne Rooney.

5 Things We Learned From The Prem This Weekend – Feb. 15

I want to start by apologizing to Francesco Guidolin for predicting that he may never lose another match again. While it was three points dropped, relegation fears on the Welsh south coast are a waste of good energy.

1) Danny Welbeck is alive
10 months away, we forgot he was still a Gunner. 12 minutes on the pitch, and Danny Welbeck has Arsenal in the driver’s seat for the Premier League title, in many people’s eyes. Poetic really. That win Sunday could light the charge that powers Arsenal back. It wouldn’t hurt to drop out of either the FA Cup or set themselves back considerably against Barcelona in the Champions League next week.

2) Leicester can anywhere, with anyone
Even if they only have 10 men on the pitch. I can’t say Arsenal and Tottenham are in the driver’s seat, because I still think Leicester have the better schedule. The advantage of rising to the top overnight, you’re not fighting on multiple fronts right away. By the time Leicester return to Premier League action against Norwich on February 27th, they will have had one week completely switched off in the (Spanish, or Dubai) sun, and another figuring it out on the training ground.

3) Man City are not title challengers
Last week’s humiliating collapse at home to The Fantasy Foxes was not the first indication. But Sunday’s inability to keep the ball away from Tottenham’s playmakers was the Final nail in the coffin for me. I don’t see how they can catch any of the three clubs in front of them.

4) Losing at Sunderland isn’t SO bad
Well, not when you have the Europa league to look forward to! LVG seems quite content to put all his eggs into that Thursday afternoon basket. United began the season expecting to finish in the top four, at the very least. Now their best chance of bringing meaningful European nights back to Old Trafford next season is by winning the Back Garden Cup? Yikes.

5) When you’ve never been relegated, the only way to go down is in slow, painful, agony
Can’t think of Another way to explain what Aston Villa are doing to their loyal, success deprived fanbase.

5 Things To Watch In The Prem This Weekend – Feb. 13

1) Is this the match when we finally accept Leicester City as title contenders?
Unless you’re a Gooner, who doesn’t want to see Leicester win at The Emirates on Sunday? Shame for us on this side of the pond that it’s the early kickoff. But that’s why television companies invented the PVR.

Claudio Ranieri said before The Fantasy Foxes trip to the other Middle Eastern luxury airliner stadium last weekend, “they have to win. We have to play.” Same scenario this weekend. I just hope Leicester can continue to play with the carefree bravado they employed in the fall and again in their most recent two victories. He hasn’t tinkered with the side, fielding the same XI five matches in a row now.

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have scored 32 goals between them this season. Arsenal have scored 39 goals, the lowest total of any Top 4 club. Stan Collymore said this week that Arsenal are “the club most likely” to sign Mahrez in the summer. Shall we expect a shining audition Sunday morning then?

And I know it’s been said by others all week, but I’ll say it again because it’s hilarious. If Per Mertesacker starts running now, he may be able to catch Jamie Vardy.

That 5-2 win at The King Power Stadium, thanks to an Alexis Sanchez hat-trick, was five months ago. The way LCFC are playing, it might as well have been five years ago.

2) Will Sunderland finish with XI men?
They’ll need eleven men on the pitch to get anything from a side that have only lost once in their last seven league matches. And here you probably thought the only thing worth talking about ahead of Manchester United‘s trip to the northeast was Wayne Rooney‘s impressive five goal 2016. Bettered only by Jermain Defoe‘s six… and some bloke named Sergio Agüero with seven.

But for those who would raise an eyebrow every time Howard Webb would referee a United match, take at look at these stats. In the 17 Sunderland matches that Andre Marriner has officiated, he’s sent off seven players. He also worked Sunderland’s 6-2 loss at Everton and that 8-0 embarrassment against Southampton. On the other side, United have lost five of their last six matches that Marriner refereed. So don’t be surprised if AM takes a bit of the spotlight early Saturday morning.

3) How many goals will we get at The Etihad this weekend?
Nobody expected Joe Hart to pick the ball out of his net three times last weekend, in a losing cause. But he may do it even more times this Sunday when second placed Tottenham travel north. The last nine Premier League matches between these two have delivered 41 goals. Safe bet that Agüero will put his name on the scoresheet. He’s bagged 10 in his last eight league matches against Spurs.

Considering that Man City haven’t beaten any club this season currently in the top 6, Pellegrini will need his Argentine wonder-striker to be on his A-game. Otherwise, I don’t think City will be able to put the Londoners in the rearview and close the gap with Leicester.

4) Will Frencesco Guidolin ever lose a game again?
Sure, The Saints are getting all the attention because they’re unbeaten in five, having not even allowed a goal. Winning at Old Trafford and drawing at The Emirates is impressive, but this is not the same Swansea side that lost 3-1 at St. Mary’s at the end of September. One win and two draws won’t put the Italian in to ‘manager of the year’ conversations just yet. But considering Ki Sung-Yueng is back after recovering from a concussion and Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored as many goals in his last six games as he did in his previous 33, the Swans can put an end to Fraser Forster‘s run of five straight clean sheets.

5) Can Everton win with John Stones back in the squad?
I know that sounds crazy, if you continually read all the transfer rumours and see the money big clubs are prepared to pay for the promising but unproven defender. But three matches without Stones resulted in three straight 3-0 Toffees victories. I’m not saying he’s the problem, but maybe just maybe he isn’t a £40 million solution?

And when will Tony Pulis accept that Saido Berahino is likely the solution to pulling West Brom away from the drop zone? Just six points up on Norwich, there will be plenty of Baggies supporters pulling for West Ham to take all three points at Carrow Road on Saturday.

5 Things To Watch For In The Prem On Boxing Day

1) Which Liverpool side will show up for Leicester?
Remember when Jürgen Klopp’s side beat Man City 4-1, at The Etihad last month? Liverpool have won just once in the league since and only thanks to a James Milner penalty against Swansea, the week after. Not exactly the model of consistency.

While LFC have played more inspired football since Rodgers was sacked, they’re still a mess defensively. Which should have Jamie Vardy and Riyadh Mahrez licking their chops as they go to bed Friday night.

2) Can Arsenal avoid a repeat of last year’s New Years Day nightmare?
Last year Arsene Wenger‘s men travelled down to the South Coast with title aspirations, an easy task ahead in the last 16 of the Champions League and an injury crisis threatening to derail it all.

This year, only the Champions League task is different. But Arsenal‘s chance of lifting the Premier League trophy come May has never been better. They can’t afford another 2-0 loss.

3) What’s good for the Guus is good for the gander
It’s a cliche my grandfather often used, and one I haven’t heard in years. It means “justice has been served” or “one got what they deserved.” Roman thought leading his champions to the club’s worst ever league start was enough for Mourinho to lose his job. Chelsea supporters clearly didn’t feel that way.

Saturday Guus Hiddink will step in that Chelsea manager’s box for the first time in six years. But unlike last week when his lot of underachievers played to their potential, The Blues have a competent opponent to deal with. Watford come in with one of the hottest strikers in football at the moment, looking to win five in a row.

You can argue that despite their diabolical start, Mourinho didn’t deserve to be sacked. But is Hiddink the one that can serve justice? If he can’t on Saturday, he may never win the support of the Chelsea faithful.

4) You know what they say about a rainy Boxing Day at Stoke
Winless in six, losers of three in a row, with a fan base quickly beginning to believe a manager they once despised is the only one to lead them back to the promise land. Desperate times Louis. Remember what Mark Hughes’ did to their last visitors from Manchester?

It’s the early kickoff Saturday morning, but there’s enough reason for both United fans and the neutral to wake up for it.

5) How many can Man City put passed Sunderland?
Big Sam knew this job would be one of if not the most difficult he’s had. The schedule makers haven’t made it any easier. After inspiring Chelsea, Sunderland will hope to avoid boosting Man City‘s confidence ahead of their title deciding trip to Leicester on Tuesday. Younes Kaboul‘s hamstring injury has made life even more difficult for the Black Cats. Sergio Agüero has scored just seven times in 11 appearances. Not very good numbers compared to this season’s leaders from swashbuckling super powers Leicester and Watford.

This is exactly the type of match where Citeh prove how dangerous they can be. I don’t like to make predictions, but if you’re the betting type it would seem pretty safe to take the over.

Sunday Morning Thoughts – Oct. 25

NHL
Seven one goal games. Four went to overtime. The Flyers topped the Rangers in a shootout. What a Saturday night! The only one hockey will have all to itself all year. Sorry NCAA football fans. #Truth

The Leafs threw everything including a couple of kitchen sinks at Carey Price last night. Still wasn’t good enough. I love that Michel Therrien and Max Pacioretty vocalized their disappointment with their play despite the dominant win. Classy. Not cocky. Shows just how hungry they are this year. They been good in the past but haven’t delivered. Mindset in that room is more focused than ever. Don’t be surprised if they win 60 games. And they won’t give up 52 shots again this season.

I’m worried for Mike Babcock if he’s already tired of the Toronto media. “We made some mistakes. All you people do is remember the mistakes. That’s just the way life is.” With the Jays season over, ALL eyes will now be on his hockey team. Same way they always are at this time of year. He’s completely right, about everything he said in his post-game scrum. I just hope it doesn’t weigh on him, like it would on most guys in his position.

What is it about home that the Canucks don’t like? Not to take anything away from the Red Wings, but there’s no way they should have come back to win that game in overtime. Gus Nyquist is the most underrated fantasy player out there. If you got him, good on ya.

What did I say? Take Phil Kessel away from Crosby, and Phil will score. They should turn that in to a song at Consol Energy Center. They won’t. But they would if this was England.

Well, would ya look at that. Two games in and John Tortorella already has the Blue Jackets winning hockey games.

Shout out to friend of the show Joel Ward for his big hat-trick in San Jose‘s 5-2 win last night. Guy’s got mitts.

And Don Cherry‘s Blue Jays rant on Coach’s Corner last night was amazing. Not just because he was typically Grapes about it, but because Ron MacLean makes those great segments, epic. Also, loved the Cary Grant reference and look. Be proud of it Ron! You got the suits, I’ll keep the hair.

PREMIER LEAGUE
It would be so typical of Wayne Rooney to score a breathtaking goal in this morning’s derby. I wouldn’t be comfortable placing a bet on it. I think Anthony Martial and Raheem Sterling put their names on the scoresheet. But if the boy Wayne is able to, he’ll have all the headlines. All I want to see is both managers really go for it. These two are capable of playing the best match of the year. Here’s to hoping that’s what we get at Old Trafford.

As soon as Sam Allardyce was linked with the Sunderland job, I circled today on my calendar. I’m not going to wake up for it, but my goodness the Wear-Tyne derby is always worth PVR-ing. No matter how lifeless one side has looked in previous matches. My first Premier League game in the flesh was the derby at St. James’ Park. Indescribable experience. Not to mention, the best weekend of my life.

How the hell is Jose Mourinho supposed to fix this? It was comical to watch him struggle with what his team has devolved in to this season. But now it’s almost awkward to watch him toil and one of the best teams on paper embarrass themselves against inferior opposition week after week.

I don’t know how many more Aston Villa heartbreakers I’m going to survive. Let alone Tim Sherwood. I don’t know what changes can be made to get this team to win matches. A new boss won’t do the trick. Another keeper won’t either. Doesn’t Sheikh Mansour have an enemy that would love to stick it to him? If you are reading this kind Sir: Buy Villa. Please.

NFL
If the Bills don’t beat the Jags at Wembley this morning, they should have to play home games in Fort Mac for parts of next season. Exclusively in December.

Loved the way Jets safety Marcus Gilchrist described this week’s preparations for today’s trip to Foxboro. “You prepare [for Tom Brady] the same way you prepare for Kirk Cousins.” Watch Brady throw for 400+ yards. The Patriots have won 7 of 8 against the Jets. Chalk up 8 of 9 at 4:15pm.

Matt Cassel hopes to become the first Cowboys QB, not named Tony Romo, to win a game since Stephen McGee in the last game of the 2010 season. Wow. No way Eli lets him have it.

It has been hard to watch Drew Brees get old. Andrew Luck‘s body is starting to resemble a 36 year-old guy’s, because the Colts O-line has been horrific for him.

Sam Bradford has thrown nine interceptions this season. Might reach 12 tonight against the Panthers. Sorry Eagles fans.

Wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Falcons lose their second straight on the road. Shame Marcus Mariota won’t be the one to take all the credit. (Out with an MCL sprain).

Call me crazy, but Derek Carr beats the Chargers for the first time.

The Bucs have never won three in a row in DC. You really gonna let that happen today Kirk?

MLB
Not surprised at all that the Blue Jays opted not to speak to the media upon their return yesterday. It’s going to be a complicated and heartbreaking winter for that clubhouse, and the fan-base. Three starting pitchers are out of contract and I expect Marco Estrada to be the only one they re-sign. I genuinely believe Alex Anthopoulos wants to stay in Toronto. He’s put in so much work over the last six years and finally got to see some reward. Can’t see why he would leave after taking this team so far. Great article by Shi Davidi about where the Blue Jays go from here with Mark Shapiro running the ship.

I love that Matt Harvey is starting Game 1 for the Mets. All the talk and all the furor about his innings limit, and look where they are! Nobody would stop themself from playing in the Series. I just wonder if he leaves it all out there like it’s April 27th.

RACING
There’s something poetic about Jeff Gordon starting from pole at Talladega today. NASCAR will not be the same without #24.

I couldn’t be any less excited for this afternoon’s USGP. And I love(d) Formula 1. The early 2000s became a forgettable time for me as a fan. “Schumacher wins again!” got old real quick. Replace one German man with one German manufacturer and that is the last two years of F1.

NCAA FOOTBALL
What unthinkable way will some school find a way to win next Saturday? The way Georgia State won that football game was something out of a movie.

As was the tragic scene before Oklahoma State‘s homecoming game. Thoughts and prayers with all the people affected there. I hope two things come of this. a) the driver is punished to the full extent of the law. And b) that this tragedy will make others stop before getting behind the wheel after having too many.

5 Things We Learned From The Prem This Weekend – Aug. 24

Most weeks I will post this before the Monday fixture, but this week I just had to wait. And wait. And wait. And wait. Seriously, how was there not ONE goal scored at The Emirates yesterday?

1) Man City look like champions
The Premier League season is a marathon, not a sprint. But after three challenging fixtures to open the season, City look as strong as ever. It’s easy to look at the team sheet and think “of course this team should take 9 points from 9,” but trips to The Hawthorns and Goodison are not easy. Did I mention they made the champions look like a newly promoted side? Citeh have improved on every level. It helps that Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure are playing like it’s 2012 again. But MCFC deserve all the plaudits they’re getting at the moment. Sure, I’m not about to “crown their asses” to quote Dennis Green, but 9 top flight wins in a row is nothing to take lightly. Also, the first time they’ve done that since 1912. Expect Manny Pellegrini to bring that up if and when he’s on the hot seat come winter. Watford at home this weekend. Make it 10.

2) Just when you expect boatloads of goals, here’s a scoreless draw
Give me slippery conditions with two teams boasting goal hungry frontman, unflattering backlines, and two managers who can never be accused of playing for the “easy result,” and I’m betting the over every time. But as I’ve discussed before on this blog, I may just be the worst gambler in the world. Arsene Wenger‘s gamble of sticking with Petr Cech has clearly paid off. The former Chelsea #1 completely redeemed himself after his nightmare debut. Liverpool should have bagged two, if not three yesterday afternoon. Olivier Giroud has done nothing to shut up his critics, begging for Wenger to sign a world class striker before Monday’s deadline. Riyad Mahrez anyone?

3) Bournemouth belong at this level
What a way to earn your first win in the Premier League! Eddie Howe‘s men were finally rewarded for their efforts by treating us to the type of show we haven’t seen since Blackpool were up. Chaotic defending included. The match wasn’t as close as the 4-3 scoreline would suggest.

4) Christian Eriksen is more important to Tottenham than we thought
Without the magical little Dane, Harry Kane experienced what life was like for Christian Benteke and Darren Bent for years at Villa. Kane was alone, in 90 degree weather, for 90 minutes. Érik Lamela again proved that Daniel Levy considerably overpaid for him. Not only did the Argentine fail to contribute anything in place of Eriksen, 19 year-old Dele Alli completely outshined him.

5) Costel Pantilimon isn’t a useless giant
Without the Romanian in net against Swansea Saturday morning, Sunderland lose again. He made several key saves in addition to his early candidate for stop of the year when he denied Bafe Gombis his brace from close range.

NOTABLE MENTION
If Gomis is going to score every week, he has to get a new goal celebration. He’s ruining the Lion King for men with young children.

Pedro is going to prove he’s even better than we knew he was at Barcelona. I see him much like Luis Suarez when he moved to Liverpool from Ajax. A player who you knew to expect a lot from, but who could deliver more than you even dreamed of. If only he could play centre back as well…

West Ham had better hope that gambling on Slaven Bilić pays off. Back-to-back losses at home has West Ham fans fearing the worst. The Hammers don’t look anything like the side that beat Arsenal on matchday one. Kevin Nolan started up front next to Diafra Sakho FFS! Could you imagine what would happen in the East End if West Ham were relegated before moving in to the Olympic Stadium?

Claudio Ranieri has clearly adopted the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to managing. The Italian saw no need to make any changes to a team that won their opening two matches. The manager formerly known as ‘The Tinkerman’ fielded the exact same lineup for the third straight game. Prized signing Gökhan Inler sat on a bench amongst £30 million worth of talent. This is Leicester City we’re talking about! TV money had changed England as we know it.

I really think Liverpool will regret shipping Mario Balotelli off. I don’t know if he’ll bag 20 goals for Siniša Mihajlović. In fact, I expect the two to have a real tear up before Thanksgiving. Canadian Thanksgiving. But I do think that given the chance, Balo will prove his worth and that Liverpool will struggle to score goals for much of the season.

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