Issue 51 - Broken Slot Machine

We are nearly a third into this new Premier League season. Where does the time go? Time for another look at what is going on in the world of English football and beyond? The movers, the shakers and the history makers. Issue 51, just like the previous 50. Go.

Six From Seven

Unless you have been living under a rock these past few days, you would know that Liverpool fell to their sixth Premier League defeat in seven attempts. A 3-0 reverse to Nottingham Forest at Anfield, surely ending their defense of last season’s title.

Arguably their worst performance of the season so far but with each defeat that the Merseyside men collect in the top tier, the shock factor seems to have diminished considerably.

No doubt that Forest’s performance and eventual win would have raised eyebrows but it did not have the true ‘wow factor’ that when suffering defeats to the likes of Crystal Palace or Brentford earlier in the season.

With that loss and the rest of the Premier League results, Arne Slot’s now find themselves lying 12th in the table. Admittedly the number sounds far from great. Admittedly, it is not quite as bad as some would suggest.

The reason for the slightest portion of optimism is because there are still three points between Aston Villa in fourth and Liverpool eight places worse off. For competitiveness this may be the best season we have seen in quite some time.

Not that Liverpool supporters would agree but I doubt they would agree with calls for Slot to be sacked. Whether the call is louder from outside observers can be argued but even with the team in a tailspin, you get the feeling the ejector seat is not prepped yet.

Is Slot under pressure? Absolutely. Easily the manager under the most pressure right now with Daniel Farke running him a close second but there are at least two reasons why a switch is not going to be made just yet.

A European Front

The first of those reasons will be Liverpool’s bid to win the Champions League and until the ability to do has been blocked off to the point where they are not a part of next season’s European elite, Slot still has some change to play with.

All of a sudden there are shades of Liverpool 2005 about this season. No direct qualifcation to see them back in the Champions League next time around. No bother, they will just go out and win it instead.

Would that be the perfect tribute to the passing of Diogo Jota? Yes

Is his passing taking more of a toll on the Liverpool squad than we can even begin to imagine? Also yes.

You only have to refer to Andy Robertson’s interview after Scotland’s 4-2 win over Denmark to see how much Jota still weighs on the minds of his former teammates, that is not to say a huge loss in form is for this reason only, but is a reason.

A reason but certainly not an excuse at the same time, it was far less of a factor when the soon to be former champions had a bright start to the season, it does not become more once things go south.

Which means although their domestic form is non-existent, a bid to win a seventh Champions League is still very much in play and especially if Liverpool can place even more eggs in their European-shaped basket.

Who Steps In

The second reason is also one that boils down to logic, who would be able to take the reins at this stage of the campaign. Jurgen Klopp would almost be too romantic an interim, a bat signal from an ailing force.

Which means if it was not to be the German and you were looking for a safe pair of hands for the second half of the season, you would then have to start looking in the direction of Steven Gerrard.

He knows the club inside out but is he the safe pair of hands that he would position himself to be? Would an interim job be a lengthy interview or would it be akin to Barry Ferguson at Rangers who knew when it was time to step aside with his work done.

The length of any interim is obviously conjecture because it needs a sacking or an exit first but when you weigh up the options that are available today, you are probably betting off keeping the status quo in place until at the end of the season at least.

This coming weekend sees Liverpool go to West Ham. Lose at the London Stadium and the whole thought piece above could already be out of date. Stranger things have happened, strange things are happening to the Merseyside outfit.

Ten Takeaways

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

Burnley vs Chelsea

Three defeats in a row for Burnley, results elsewhere going against them last weekend. The reality of Premier League life hitting the Clarets as they now find themselves second bottom of the table. That said, there does not feel like there is much jeopardy attached to what Scott Parker and his players are doing. Not necessarily the worst feeling either.

As for Chelsea, there is a sense that they have snuck into second without anyone really noticing. Second in the Premier League table, are they truly the second best team in the division? The table obviously does not lie, the table may tell more of the truth after they play host to Arsenal on Sunday.

Fulham vs Sunderland

A hugely important win for Fulham on Saturday, whether this is just plastering over the cracks at Craven Cottage remains to be seen. You get the feeling Marco Silva should have just moved on in the summer. Then again, the Portuguese coach is not afraid to brush up his C.V. while still in employment, so he may actually find himself in a no-lose position.

A position that Sunderland surprisingly did not find themselves in at the weekend. After the highs of holding league leaders Arsenal before the international break, they were seemingly caught cold in their return from the hiatus. A defeat that slides them down to seventh, further highlighting just how tight the top section of the league table is.

Bournemouth vs West Ham

Bournemouth’s regeneration has been rightly lauded after so many key names departed from its backline over the summer but in fairness, it is their attack line that needs to start receiving more praise. The Cherries have conceded 20 goals - the most of the teams in the top 10, thankfully they have scored 19. Saturday’s 2-2 draw a microcosm of the season so far.

A point for West Ham that takes them out of the relegation zone but Nuno Espirito Santo and his players will be disappointed not to have taken all three back to the capital - especially after finding themselves two goals to the good at one stage. With that said, Alphonse Areola was kept very busy late on, so maybe a share of the points was fair.

Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest

Two 3-0 league defeats in succession, both involving similar offside calls. Unfortunately, Liverpool found the contention went against them at the Etihad after having a goal chalked off and went against them at home on Saturday with Forest’s goal being deemed legit.

Not that Forest will care about woes elsewhere, they have a salvage job to do and although the magnifying glass will be placed upon Liverpool’s issues, it should not detract from how quickly the players are learning the ways of Dycheism. Continue playing like this and relegation will not even be a factor on the other side of the festive period.

Brighton vs Brentford

Brighton unbeaten at home, Danny Welbeck scores again, life continues unchanged. Or at least that is what it feels like after the Seagulls came from behind to get the better of Brentford on Saturday. A win that sees Fabien Hurzeler’s men move to sixth in the Premier League table. 50 league games in charge for the German manager, I reckon a grade of B+.

As for Brentford, they will wonder how they return to the capital empty handed. First they went ahead from the penalty spot, then their bid to snatch a point from the same distance was foiled in the dying seconds. When the Bees were ahead on Saturday, they were fifth in the table at one stage. Keith Andrews laughing at everyone who wrote him off back in August (sorry Keith).

Wolves vs Crystal Palace

No new manager bounce for Rob Edwards or at least in the immediacy of last weekend’s visit of Crystal Palace. No doubt Wolves gave a decent account of themselves, no doubt that this Wolves side simply does not have enough quality within its ranks right now. Will their new man be given money to bring in new men of his own or this all a holding pattern before the Championship?

As for Crystal Palace, another impressive showing that sees them having only lost two of their first 12 league games of the season. Reports that Oliver Glasner is pressing to sign a new contract at Selhurst Park. If there was ever time to get round the negotiating table and name your price, it would be now. Whether that price is met though seems to be the sticking point.

Newcastle vs Manchester City

If Newcastle could play at home every week, they would be an almost complete football team. Victory over Manchester City not only well celebrated on Saturday but also much needed. The Magpies just a point from the relegation zone before kickoff, breathing space found thanks to Harvey Barnes. Will he become Harvey McBarnes before the 2026 World Cup finals, I think Scotland should be trying everything to get his allegiance changed.

Leeds vs Aston Villa

I referenced that Daniel Farke needed a win the most this weekend, he failed to collect one at home to Aston Villa. A 2-1 defeat at Elland Road sees Leeds now drop into the bottom three, is this the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning? Personally, I think it’s the former after a fifth league defeat in six games, how much rot is left to set in?

As for Aston Villa, their comeback win thanks to Morgan Rogers’ double does his bid to start for England in North America no harm at all and it also does the team’s bid of a Champions League return no harm either. Considering how sluggish this team was at the start of the campaign, fourth right now is just reward for their impressive form.

Arsenal vs Tottenham

Eze good, Eze good, Eberechi Eze good. You just knew he was going to score after the transfer tug of war in the summer but even a treble at the expense of Tottenham was slightly beyond expectation. The perfect performance as the Gunners make use of the perfect combination of weekend results, it really is theirs to lose now isn’t it.

As for Tottenham, the change to a back five certainly backfired for Thomas Frank. A man who has overseen turgid displays against both of Spurs’ biggest London rivals. Ninth in the table does not make for good reading, again there is the caveat of the incredibly volatile top half but the Dane better learn to win at home very quickly.

Manchester United vs Everton

Manchester United’s five-game Premier League unbeaten streak was ended on Monday night after their surprise defeat at home to Everton. Surprise more because of the Toffees’ having 10 men for a large portion of the game, if there was ever an in-play home banker it felt like the Red Devils would find themselves up through the gears once they found numerical superiority on the pitch.

Superiority that came after Idrissa Gueye’s bizarre red card - one that came after slapping teammate Michael Keane. David Moyes was quoted as saying he actually quite liked it, it showed that his players have fight. I quite like the thought of a Fight Club being established at the Hill Dickinson Stadium as the Toffees boss goads on his players while barechested. If they don’t do it, Sky will.

The Filter Five

Five sprints up the touchline to keep you warm

A Suspended Sentence

After Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off against the Republic of Ireland recently, many were under the belief that he would miss the first two games of next summer’s World Cup finals.

That was until, FIFA have shown some form of clemency. Violent conduct normally carries a three-match ban but Ronaldo has had the second and third matches suspended for a year.

The belief is that FIFA accounted for it being his first red card in 226 international appearances. That and he is now Donald Trump’s new best mate (allegedly).

Pirate World Cup

Russia not FIFA-sanctioned and not part of the World Cup process. No problem, just make your own tournament instead.

That is the rumour going round as Russia look to make a mockery of their current sanctions. Staging a 8 or 12 team tournament with other nations who are either friendly to the regime and/or have not qualified is the plan.

It may not be morally right but at least it is better than Baller League.

Actual World Cup

While in terms of the World Cup draw, Fifa has announced that Spain (1st seed) and Argentina (2) will be 'paired' and placed into groups in opposite halves of the draw.

France (3) and England (4) will also be paired, which means England will not be able to come up against Spain or Argentina until the semi-finals, and France until the final.

Should the quartet win their groups, we could be in for some very tasty clashes deeper in the tournament. Especially when Danny Welbeck scores the goal that wins the 2026 World Cup.

Dwindling Viewing Figures

Concerns within WSL headquarters that nobody is watching their competition this season. Only 71,000 watched the headline clash between Arsenal and Chelsea recently, that is not to say the appetite is not there but the Saturday midday time slot is not working.

The problem is that Sky Sports have too many rights and not enough workable time slot to show each league in its best light. They either need to go all in and make Saturday midday a true event in women’s sport or place it in the same time as a Premier League game and let the audience dictate where it wants to go. It cannot have both.

A Nancy Bhoy

Wilfried Nancy is edging closer to becoming the new Celtic boss. Celtic themselves are edging closer to Hearts at the top of the table. Martin O’Neill has done the perfect interim job for the Hoops, he could soon hand over the reins with the Hoops back at the top.

Admin

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