Desperate Canaries Sack Hughton

With only five league games to go Norwich City FC have made, what could be a crucial choice, to sack manager Chris Hughton. The Canaries ex-manager had been at the helm of the club for the past twenty two months, where we witnessed him dodge the bullet multiple times as he won potential job costing matches at home. After suffering a 1-0 loss at home against West Brom, Norwich head into the final weeks of the season just five points above the drop zone with a nightmare of teams ahead of them. Not only do they have to face known bogey side Fulham, also fighting for survival but they need to fend off Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea, so points may be few and far between. In the last six games the Carrow Road men have scored only four goals and their top goal scorer for the season is Scottish midfielder Snodgrass which straight away shows that the attack force is failing.

Fans of the club now have well known local radio analysist and ex-player Neil Adams in charge of the team, who was up until now, the under eighteens manager. Many supporters have been fuelled with ethusiasm after the appointment, giving them belief that if they do get relegated, it will be with a decent fight. Mr.Adams, who won the youth F.A. Cup with his boys last year, has made a statement saying "People know what this club means to me, and so it goes without saying that we will be doing everything possible to ensure that we maintain our top-flight status for next season"; after hearing this, perhaps some passion will be injected back into the stands at Carrow Road. 

In my personal opinion I think the decision to get rid of Hughton is unbelievable seeing as their is only five games left, I really cannot understand why they just couldn't wait until the end of the season. The clear problem at the club is obviously the gutless board as out cries to get rid of Hughton have been circulating Norwich since the poor start at the beginning of the year, McNally and Co need to solidate a backing for the team to boost morales all round. When making decision's boardrooms need to be more ballsy as indecisiveness just leads to rash, last minute, rushes of blood as we've witnessed here. 

Managers all round deserve a lot of respect as they have so much pressure of them, fans around the country seem to forget that the men behind the teams are human too. One side of me really feels for Chris Hughton as I feel he's been shown utter disrespect by a few brainless fans and also the cowardness of the board. Earlier in the season the board at Norwich released a statement about Hughton's job security, so they constantly had him worrying about his future and also on Saturday groups of fans pelted the pitch with clappers, some of which struck Hughton. By all means express your opinions by vocals and comments but their isn't really no need for abuse with projectiles. 

Finally my last point is how the loss of Hughton is going to cause a major rift in the English footballing leagues because their is no longer a single black manager in the top five footballing leagues. This doesn't prove that managerial positions are chosen on racial terms but it certainly is going to arise a series of question and debates in the coming weeks. 

Anfields Unsung Hero

Future Star

Throughout the season I've watched and admired as Liverpool have gelled as a unit, tearing through defences on a weekly basis with their prestine attacking play. The Reds' season will be mostly remembered for the solidarity of the goals scored by the dynamic duo that is the SAS (Sturridge & Suarez), however Liverpool possess a real overlooked gem in the squad. 

On January 26th 2013, Liverpool signed a young Brazillian midfielder for £8.5 million from Inter Milan, who ever since has been putting in world class performances week in, week out. That man is Phillippe Coutinho, the twenty-one year old deserves some real credit for the way he has not only grown as a player but also the outstanding display of footballing skill he puts on. 

As an avid Liverpool fan, Coutinho has fast become one of my favourite players in the league and is such a key assest to the Roger's revolution. He plays with such silk, finesse and maturity that you'd think the youngster has been tourturing Premier League defences for years rather than the short spell he's had. On comparison to past Anfield stars he shadows a younger Xabi Alonso as you see him vision passes and cushion them so comfortably across the field, much similar to how the Spaniard used too; not only that but he has such a light foot by which he can travel distances at speed and feather the ball in and out of oppositions legs with a cute skill set. 

Liverpool fans around the globe should appreciate some of the play young Coutinho has conjured up, as he has been the gem in the centre, constructing brisk passes to assist his squad mates in scoring. Overall this man has been a key figure in the overachieving Liverpool season and is a great midfielding maestro. A certainty to look forward to for the future and I can see him playing for a big club like Barça if he doesn't succeed at Anfield, watch out for this one. 

The Manchester Derby

It's Red Vs Blue in England's Equal to the El Clasico...

Tonight we see two titans of English football face off in a fierce derby, on one side we have the out of touch Old Trafford boys and on the other we have a Man City team who have been slamming in goals for fun in the past weeks. 

This evening the two teams are competing for completely different incentives from previous years as strugglers united are way adrift of any kind of league success. Man City are looking to chase down their title hopes with a win tonight, which will see them three points behind leaders Chelsea with two games in hand. The last time these sides met in the season was at The Eitihad in Septemeber where we saw the blue side of Manchester dominate in a 4-1 victory with Aguero bagging two.

Many people will be expecting another routing from Man City but I feel otherwise as Moyes and his men have something to prove. It's not just about the football, it's about bragging rights on who is the best team in Manchester and what better way could Moyes win back fans than with a win over the arch rivals at Old Trafford?. The incentive is massive and as United have the home field advantage I can really see them putting up a fight, although they clearly have the weaker team. 

Both teams are coming into the fixture off of weekend wins however they both are injury stricken, meaning United will be without key man RVP but City will also be without their maestro Aguero, proving for a different game to the one late last year. An area I am unsure about for this United team is how the weak defence is going to be able to challenge the power of Man Cities attack force, not to mention the finishing ability of inform Yaya Toure, however this being said Rooney is currently bulging with confidence after his potential goal of the season and Mata will now be given freedom to play as RVP is injured.

It's a no brainer that this game is going to provide real passion and is going to be a fantastic footballing showcase, having fans everywhere glued to the television. Let's just hope this English El Clasico isn't once again ruined by refereeing blunders like results from the weekend. 

WORTH A PUNT - Rooney to Score at Anytime - 7/1...

Paddy Power are offering an enhanced 7/1 special for Rooney to score at anytime tonight in the Manchester derby giving you a fourteen pound return from a two pound bet. After recent his performance in the game against West Ham on Sunday, Rooney's confidence is going to be sky high and giving the amazing talent this young man has the potential for goals is always there. His emotions will be running high as it's a derby and fans will be roaring in the crowd, giving him the adrenaline he needs to net the United win. It's certainly worth a punt. 

Prediction - Man Utd 2-1 Man City

Red Card Choas & Goals Galore

Sunday 23rd March 2014

Yesterday's Premier League action provided once again more shock's and thrills, summing up what has been a real roller coaster of a season. Arguably, it was one of the years most exciting soccer Saturdays with a total of thirty two goals scored, a refereeing wrong doing at Stamford Bridge and also a nine goal thumper at Cardiff. One can only feel sorry for Wenger on his thousandth game in charge of the gunners as his side were torn apart in a six nil thrashing to Chelsea. These aren't the only things to highlight from the day though as we saw three easy contenders for goal of the season, here's my rundown of the best goals from third to first. 

3rd) Yaya Toure vs Fulham...

The midfield maestro was at the centre of the action in the game which saw him and his Man City team sink Fulham 5-0 at the Eitihad. Not only did Toure put away two penalties, he went on to rack up his hatrick in style with a sublime finesse finish. From what seemed to be a wasted free kick we saw Yaya push the ball in front of himself, setting up a placed curling effort from outside the box. The way he struck the ball was effortless and the precision was inch perfect in the way the ball neatly crept into the top corner. It seems the city skipper has picked up a real knack for scoring this season with this being one of his best. 

http://youtu.be/3O_7MSv8KY0

2nd) Rooney vs West Ham...

This is the goal that everyone's talking about, even at Rooney's standards it's something special. After the ball bounced out to the halfway line we expected to see a Manchester United counter attack but Rooney had other idea's, deciding to strike for goal in a rush of blood type moment. The England star struck the ball on the half volley after quickly turning and spotting the keeper off his line, ending shortly after with the reds one up. Similar to the Beckham goal many of year ago, this finish involved unbelievable technique, precision and power so that the ball reached it's target. Personally I think the keeper should have done better but it still doesn't take anything away from this breath taking strike. 

Putting this goal second seems slightly criminal but my top finish is a worthy winner. 

http://youtu.be/MhhgUGjn5Ng

1st) Tettey vs Sunderland...

Hughton and his men have a certain charm when it comes to must win fixtures as they always manage to pull a rabbit out of the hat at Carrow Road. The Canaries themselves are not renouned for scoring many goals and when they do, they don't come no where near close to contending for goal of the season. Young Norweigan Tettey secured the three points yesterday as his net busting strike shocked supporters around the ground, sending Sunderland home empty handed. After seeing the ball deflected clear for a Sunderland counter, out of no where Alex Tettey pops up and connects a volley mid flight which rifles past the keeper. At 32 yards the midfielder managed to time the shot to perfection which catapulted the ball at a massive 65mph leaving Mannone with no chance. My reasoning for placing this first is the sheer factor of timing and power that comes into play when scoring like this, it has traits of a video game like goal and is a real rarity. 

http://youtu.be/K7KR_c8P-HI

Could United Win Spark a Revival?

Champions League Last 16

MANCHESTER UNITED 3-0 OLYMPIACOS 

It's no sercret that this season Moyes and his men have been in footballing turmoil, but after last nights triumphant Champions League Comeback may we see a turning point in the problematic roadblock at Old Trafford?. After the last sixteen win we see previous league winners head off into the draw for the Champions League quater finals where they will face tough opposition against one of Europes remaining elite, along with fellow Englishmen, Chelsea.

But who is to blame for United falling short this year? Is it the lack luster team that has been placed before Moyes in non-passionate Van Persie and a defence that has flopped? Or is it in Moyes himself not dealing with the pressure of taking the helm of a title contending club?. Many people will be quick to blame the ex-Everon gaffer but I feel he has taken a lot of flack this year, not only that but the team he has to work with just don't seem to click; with players showing no real commitment or consistancy in the set up. Moyes has had his work cut out and to top that off he has the pressure of one of the largest fan bases on his back, meaning if he doesn't perform he has a large weight on his shoulders which is what has happened.

As failure in the league continues their is more talk of the Scotsman getting sacked as he and his team dropped vital points at Old Trafford in a devistating defeat against rivals Liverpool. This seems to have been the final straw for fans and followers as the odds of Moyes getting the axe were slashed from 20/1 to 4/1 meaning he has to turn it around fast, many people are talking of the 'final three' which are the fixtures Moyes must win to keep his job. Luckily one of which was last nights fixture against Greek squad Olympiacos, the other two are West Ham away and finally a local derby against Man City. 

So is this the turning point for United or do they sack Moyes and rebuild again? Does the gaffer need more time or do the Red Devils need to get rid of the garbage and form a new squad which want to play ball? One things for sure we'll certainly find out over the next coming weeks in which a lot has to be proven.