Issue 26 - Under The Hammers

26 issues in and the Filter keeps rolling — the squad’s growing fast, let’s push on towards 100. The storylines are piling up: Potter clinging on, Wolves toothless, Rangers in freefall, plus City vs Spurs delivering chaos. Time to cut through the noise. Issue 26. Go.

The Pressure Rankings

For those who have subscribed recently or need a reminder, the Real Football Filter is attempting to operate a Managers Under Pressure ranking system and if Graham Potter was the Premier League manager under the most pressure after week 1….

Then that pressure has seriously increased after Friday’s hammering by Chelsea. A 5-1 defeat on home soil is not what you want to follow after a 3-0 opening weekend reverse to Sunderland, the East London outfit now propping up the table.

Of course, you cannot read too much into a Premier League table that has only been in operation for two rounds of action but you can read a lot into whether Potter really was the right man for the West Ham job.

This is a man who was a bust at Chelsea and then took plenty of time waiting for the right job to come back to. Unfortunately for him, it seems as if the former Brighton boss has picked the worst job.

Premier League Managers Under Pressure #plmup

No doubt Potter tops the RFF’s Manager Under Pressure rankings and if you were to put pressure on his counterparts, the list would look something like this:

1. Graham Potter - West Ham

2. Ruben Amorim - Manchester United

3. Vitor Pereira - Wolves

Entries 2 and 3 could lessen their burden with a wins in the Carabao Cup in midweek - the fact that Wolves and West Ham face each other is not lost on either manager going into this knockout clash.

Ten Takeaways

A look at the main stories from last weekend’s Premier League action. Get yourself some Tuesday night takeaway.

West Ham vs Chelsea

To follow up on the starting point of this issue, Friday’s thumping by the Blues suggests that any slumber they may have found themselves post-Club World Cup antics has been stretched out and Joao Pedro may be more handy from the left than through the middle.

The former Brighton boss joining four of this teammates on Friday’s scoresheet. Variety when it comes to goalscorers is always a pleasing sight for any manager. The sight of Joao Pedro playing the role of finishing and creator will be perhaps even more so.

Manchester City vs Tottenham

I always consider Manchester City’s hosting of Tottenham as one of the more exciting any games of any season. The reason for this is because the scoreline could be absolutely anything but it seems that more often than not, Spurs come out on top at the Etihad.

Such was the case on Saturday lunchtime as Thomas Frank delivered a tactical masterclass against Pep Guardiola’s men. Admittedly there was help from James Trafford and semi-automated offside but that should not diminsh just how effective Spurs were at City.

Bournemouth vs Wolves

Their comeback was spoiled by a late Liverpool brace on the opening night of the season, this time Bournemouth took matters into their own hands against Wolves. Marcus Tavernier having far more joy than brother and Rangers defender James this weekend.

More on Ibrox woes further down the article but the woes continue to be attached to Wolves at the start of this campaign. No Premier League goal to their name in two attempts, they would be crazy to sell Jorgen Strand Larsen at this stage of the summer.

Brentford vs Aston Villa

No Wissa, no problem for Brentford as they made the pundits and punters look rather silly on Saturday with a home win over Aston Villa. Keith Andrews earning his first win as a Premier League manager and allowing the result rather than gossip to create the news.

As for Aston Villa, they are also yet to score a Premier League goal this season. Arguably a greater concern for manager Unai Emery when you consider the attacking talent he has at his disposal. Then again, with no Marco Asensio to call upon, they are missing a spark.

Burnley vs Sunderland

As referenced in the previous issue, it always felt as if Burnley versus Sunderland was going to set the tone for how these promoted teams looked likely to fare in this season’s edition of the Premier League. For Burnley, they could end up faring better than hoped.

Not to say that Scott Parker’s men are guaranteed to stay time - for that there is no guarantee at all but at the same time, they do not look like a side you would write off in the similar vein to Southampton and Sheffield United and that is all you can ask for.

Arsenal vs Leeds

Arsenal supporters celebrating the capture of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. Then also celebrating an emphatic 5-0 win over Leeds straight after. Viktor Gyokeres opening his bank account and paying off some of his transfer fee at our European goal exchange.

A sobering defeat for Leeds after their home win over Everton at the start of the week. Ultimately this result is not going to define how Daniel Farke’s men perform throughout the season but they cannot make a habit of away day thrashings either.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest

The battle of the banners played out to a draw on Sunday afternoon as Crystal Palace officially entered their post-Eze phase. Still looking for a first win of the season and still hoping that Marc Guehi is not the next big name of theirs to leave in the window.

As for Nottingham Forest, there is a huge flurry on the betting markets for Nuno Espirito Santo to be the first manager to depart a Premier League. If he does, it can only be down to a failed relationship with a chairman rather than the results his team have recorded.

Everton vs Brighton

Watching Everton versus Brighton felt like you were watching Schalke in Bundesliga action back in the day. It may take some time to get used to that but Jack Grealish took no time in settling into his new surroundings as he spearheaded a perfect housewarming party.

The Seagulls could and maybe should have got something out of it if Danny Welbeck had packed his shooting boots. The former Manchester United and Arsenal forward in the line of supporter fine but the same can be said for manager Fabian Hurzeler at the same time.

Fulham vs Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes’ first half penalty is still orbiting around the Moon after such a terrible effort at Craven Cottage. Manchester United had plenty of opportunity to earn all three points in West London. Their new attacking triumvirate is yet to get off the mark either.

The main contention for Fulham supporters and player Calvin Bassey will be the lack of consistency when it comes to challenges in the box. Adjudged to have given away a penalty, no protection for United’s goal after a push. The more things change….

Newcastle vs Liverpool

You could have honestly had 10 takeaways from this game alone but I think Newcastle and Liverpool supporters will be glad that the on-field episode of this soap opera has now come to a conclusion. The one involving Alexander Isak’s movement still needs acting out.

No acting from Virgil van Dijk when Anthony Gordon scythed him down in the first half, a red card subsequently ensued. Was the charged up atmosphere to blame for that or did Simon Hooper play a part in stoking up the fires in the 45 minutes? You can decide that.

Ghastly In Glasgow

Due to the dominance of the other Glasgow outfit, one thing you do not get when you are toiling as either Celtic or Rangers manager is time. Looking at Russell Martin, his at Ibrox could already be running out.

The worst start to a season by any manager in the past 36 years has seen Rangers limp to three successive draws in the Scottish Premiership, they could just as easily limp out of the Champions League in midweek.

Not only are they six points behind their arch rivals across the City, they are also four points behind Hearts who are now being driven by the data that comes from Brighton owner Tony Bloom.

As luck or the lack thereof would go, Rangers face Celtic this weekend and if that six point gap turns to nine by the end of Saturday, there will be serious question as to whether the Rangers board (now with San Francisco 49ers ownership) have to pull the emergency cord.

Going Through Hoops

While because Rangers are in such dire straits, the decision by the Celtic board to not splash the cash looks somewhat justified. Not a stance that supporters of the Hoops will agree with but why spend £20m or so just to be even stronger than you already are.

Yes, there is always the viewpoint of strengthening from the position of strength and if they did so, it would arguably help any Champions League bid that may come about - if they can get past the arduous trip to Kairat Almaty and a 0-0 position from the first leg.

At the same time, if you are the only horse in the race, there is little impetus to add to the saddle. Celtic will not need a big money signing between now and the end of the transfer window, you get the feeling they are already Scottish champions within the first month.

Celtic only need to spend when there is a real arms race in the Scottish Premiership but when you look at Rangers’ spending over the past couple of years, they seem to be buying nothing more than imitation replicas and this is ultimately their biggest concern.

A concern that Russell Martin seems to taking not all that seriously, his comments in the 1-1 draw with St Mirren on Sunday suggested “it’s not the end of the world”, you try telling that to the staunchest of Rangers’ fans right now.

Listen To The Sister Podcast

Real Football Cast - Season 8 Episode 3

The Filter Five

Five is better than four, so five it is.

The Crisis Baton

Newcastle still have the ‘Crisis Baton’ in their hands for now. They could have moved it on if they got the better of Liverpool on Monday night. There will undoubtedly be spirited by their almost comeback performance but it needs to translate into league wins soon.

City To Palace

Although Marc Guehi’s future at Crystal Palace looks to be short rather than long-term, it does seem as if the Eagles are finally starting to do something about his likely departure and it comes in the form of a move for Manuel Akanji.

The Swiss international looks like he could be surplus to requirements at Manchester City - if only because Pep Guardiola has quite the surplus of central defenders and a starting price of £15m could get things under way with Galatasaray also keeping an eye on him.

Young Man’s Game

If there is ever a reason to feel old, this weekend’s Premier League action is probably it. 16-year-old Rio Nguhoma scoring a winner for Liverpool. Max Dowman of the same age being the talk of Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds.

When I was 16, I was playing an ungodly amount of Championship Manager and trying to get served in any public house or off licence I could. A real sliding doors moment if ever there was one.

Everton Splashing Cash

Everton’s summer business has not necessarily gone under the radar but it has certainly been overshadowed by what is happening on the red half of Merseyside and although the loan capture of Jack Grealish is their biggest deal, their latest signing is full of promise.

Tyler Dibling has made the switch from Southampton to Everton for a deal worth £40m. The youngster was one of the very few positives of the Saints’ disaster season before relegation and a switch to the Toffees should offer plenty of Premier League minutes.

Moving Justin Time

Leeds have announced the signing of Leicester defender James Justin for £10m. A player with previous Premier League experience should be a decent addition to the Elland Road ranks as they look to break the chain of promoted clubs coming straight back down.

Justin moves from the King Power Stadium with Leicester having picked up six points from the first nine on offer (Won 2, Lost 1). The Foxes sit seventh for now but how detrimental will this latest sale be to their latest promotion bid?

Football Live Scores

Admin

Right, that’s the end of issue 26 as we start the road to a half century.

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Issue 27 will be out on Friday August 29th

Thanks for reading

Dan