Season Review 1

Best Player so Far?

Stephen: Inevitably I am going to forget an obvious one, but three names come to mind: Eden Hazard, Raheem Sterling and Stephen Fletcher. Hazard has been fairly quiet of late however since the first few games. Sterling has been excellent but I can't really choose a Liverpool player given their ‘class’ start (Sterling could win ‘most improved’ perhaps). I think Fletcher could be best player so far, just for his outrageous conversion rate - 5 goals from 7 shots up until the Manchester City game –who'd have thought however that Sunderland would provide him less service than a comfortably relegated Wolves team?! That’s for Ian. 

John: For me there are a few contenders who have been a revelation this season: 

Santi Carzola Marouane Fellaini 
Leighton Baines 
James Morrison 
Jermaine Defoe 
Jan Vertonghen 
Branislav Ivonavic 
Eden Hazard 
Stephen Fletcher 

I would have to go for Baines - he has barely put a foot wrong all season and his creativity, coupled with his defensive capability, means he expertly controls the left flank. In addition I think James Morrison has been excellent so far - I have always thought of him as a decent player but he is showing real ability this season.

Ian: There are always a number of standout players, from those who you would expect to do well, to those you wouldn’t. Hazard has been excellent, but some may say that's expected. I do think that he's the kind of player that was missing from Chelsea and I think he can take them to the next level. You have those who've done really well but it's less expected - Stephen Fletcher is the man I'm thinking of here. He’s been superb so far for Sunderland, not just in his goal scoring but in his all round play too. Michu has been fantastic, as has James Morrison at West Brom. I'll give it to Hazard though; because he's one of those players you really enjoy watching.

Sam: Michu, Stephen Fletcher and James Morrison have all been fantastic this season. I am going to give it to Fletcher though. Sunderland are looking far from convincing this season and the Scotsman has carried them. It will be a battle between two teams really struggling for form next weekend and a player like Fletcher could make all the difference.

Best Manager so Far?

Stephen: David Moyes has Everton playing top class football but they are a reputable team, have good players and Moyes is long serving so not surprising really. Steve Clarke has to be the most inconspicuous manager going, don't know how he's doing so well with West Brom, so for that he deserves best manager.

John: Has to be Steve Clarke for me. Perhaps it could be David Moyes, but the fact Clarke has got West Brom into the position they are in is amazing. I know it’s early, but on paper West Brom should never be as high as they are at the moment. They have played well and I think they will be competing for a Europa league spot this season - which would be an amazing achievement for West Brom.

Ian: I think, for quiet and understated, Steve Clarke deserves a mention, but for me David Moyes has been superb. I really feel Everton could mount a serious challenge to the top four this season. 

Sam: I would say it’s a toss-up between David Moyes, Steve Clarke and Roberto Di Matteo. I think I am going to give it to Di Matteo though. Chelsea are looking very convincing this season so far and he has carried on where he left off last season. Di Matteo is really proving to Roman Abramovich that he deserves to be manager and I think Abramovich should have had more faith than to only have offered him a two year contract; especially after the amount of money Abramovich has spent on managers since Mourinho left, so I think a bit of stability would be a welcome sign.

How Long has Mark Hughes got Left?

Stephen: I think he's going to get much longer than he should just to save embarrassment on Tony Fernandez' part – if Fernandez leaves him long enough so that everyone is calling for his head, then it looks like Hughes has messed up – but if he fires him after a Transfer Market war chest, after 10 games in charge, it will look like Fernandez fucked up. I'd wait until January before unceremoniously firing and assaulting Hughes... if I were Fernandez.

John: I thought after his loss against West Ham that was it for Hughes. Then I thought that anything less than a point against West Brom would be it for him, but it looks like he will still be in charge for the game against Everton so who knows? He had a slow start for both Fulham and Blackburn but achieved great things there. At both clubs however he didn’t spend vast sums of money on players. I would give him until the start of next month and if there isn’t significant improvement in results then I would let him go - the fixtures against Everton at home and Arsenal away are not going be easy. I do believe that if Mark Hughes gets the sack, the next manager will have a huge task on his hands. He will be inheriting an aging squad with an inflated wage bill, so his challenge will be to lower the average age and lower the wage bill whilst trying to avoid relegation. 
Ian: Well, with the start he's had, he could be gone tomorrow. If you look at QPR’s fixtures - Everton at home, Arsenal away and Reading at home - he must pick up at least four points, but really he needs six to be safe, otherwise its bye bye Mark. To be honest, I think he'll go by the time the Stoke match comes round. 
Sam: It will be interesting to see how Tony Fernandez approaches this because it is apparent that it is not working for Mark Hughes. Personally, I think if QPR’s form stays the same he will be gone within 5 matches. 

Should Liverpool Panic? Is Rodgers on Borrowed Time?

Stephen: I don’t think so. It's been a poor start for Liverpool’s points tally, but from what I've seen there is at least a watchable standard of football being played - I've seen Liverpool lose three matches when they were clearly the better team - points will come soon as they actually start scoring their chances. Saying that however, Luis Suarez is pathetic on goal - he has the finishing prowess of a slightly-less-composed Franco Di Santo.

John: The problem with Liverpool is that they messed up badly when they spent £120 million on Luis Suarez, Andy Carroll, Charlie Adam, Jose Enrique, Jordan Henderson and Stuart Downing. These players are very average and they are far from the standard needed if Liverpool want to be where their fans believe they should be. It’s going to take a long time for Liverpool to be back in the Champion’s League. It reminds me of the time that Newcastle got relegated - teams should never make the mistake of thinking it could never happen to them. There may be hope however, as I think Rodgers is doing the right thing encouraging youth players on the field and building sustained success over time rather than looking for a quick fix. I think Liverpool should stick with Rodgers even if they finish eleventh, twelfth or even seventeenth, just to allow him to try and build something for the future. It will be a slow journey, but I think it will eventually bear fruit.

Ian: No I don't think so. It’s turning into Groundhog Day for Liverpool. So many people can see what's happening at Anfield and are saying "eh?". Brendan Rodgers is a good manager, but he seems to have bought into the "defend the indefensible, we're Liverpool so don't question us" mentality, when in fact Rodgers should be trying to change this ethos. Also, not signing a striker and letting Carroll go is bonkers - people were questioning Roy Hodgson this time two years ago and that doesn't seem to have happened with Rodgers - so I think he'll still be there after Christmas.

Sam: I don't think Rodgers is going anywhere and Liverpool will stick with him. To say he's on borrowed time is ridiculous. He's just signed in the summer and the season is only 7 games in.

Can West Brom Sustain their Excellent Start to the Season?

Stephen: They won't be playing in the Champion’s League if that's what this means, it's great that they're playing so well as most, including myself, expected them to be relegation candidates. I don't think anyone knows how they've gone about this. This is brilliant for them and Mr. Steve Clarke but in reality, finishing top ten is surely the most they dared to think of and come the end of the season, the most they'll get.... wouldn't mind being wrong with that. 

John: Of course West Brom will have their low points, but I think in the end they could be on the shoulders of a Europa League place, say 7th or 8th.

Ian: Well Newcastle could, so why not West Brom? Well, simply because it won't happen. Other teams will pick up and naturally West Brom will fall down the table.

Sam: I don't think they can. Their team is not as good as Newcastle's was last year. They do however have quality in Shane Long and James Morrison is on fire! 

Can Chelsea Maintain their Lead at the Top of the Table?

Stephen: Yeah I think they can - Manchester City and Manchester United have looked far from their best. For me, Chelsea could win the title legitimately this season but it still won't be easy - I love Roberto Di Matteo like a father but it would be a little odd if he were to stroll out into next summer as a Champions’ League and Premier League winner. I’m backing them more in the face of the dross I've seen from the contenders, rather than as a result of their own efforts.

John: I wasn’t a believer in Di Matteo’s Chelsea until I saw them play Arsenal. Arsenal sent wave after wave against them but Chelsea clung on, demonstrating the very definition of a smash and grab by scoring two goals against the run of play and defending well - it was an example of sheer efficiency. It will be interesting to see how they do against the two Manchester clubs but Chelsea have more than done their bit to show that they will finish in the top four. 

Ian: Yes - Hazard is superb and players like John Terry and Frank Lampard know that realistically this is their last chance to win a title. Roberto Di Matteo is doing a great job and looks to be really building some momentum. Certainly Chelsea have been the best, most consistent team so far.

Sam: I think they can. They have a strong squad and Torres and Hazard are firing on all cylinders. 

Is There Anything You Have Been Completely Wrong About? (For example, if you thought a player/team/manager would be rubbish, but have proven you wrong?)

Stephen: My prediction for Olivier Giroud to be great seems naive with hindsight (he’s got time yet maybe) and West Brom to be relegation fodder is off the mark. Manchester City to come out looking strengthened and unstoppable isn't the case. In addition, Adam Johnson playing starring role at Sunderland seems to be proving untrue - I can't speak for all of his games, but this is judging by Stephen Fletcher’s supply drought and the fact that during the game against Manchester City I genuinely didn't realise Johnson was on the pitch until he got substituted - this is sincere, I actually didn't know he was on the pitch?!

John: Balotelli to finish as one of the top goal scorers - looks like a pretty stupid prediction for me. He is yet to score and he was easily the worst player on the pitch against Sunderland - including the Sunderland players.

Ian: Well, I did think that Suarez would be shit and that's not been the case. I'm very surprised by West Brom - I thought Steve Clarke would be another Sammy Lee or Les Reed etc.

Sam: I didn't think Stephen Fletcher would be as good as he has been. I also did not think QPR would be so bad. I never thought they would reach October without a victory.

Who do you Think Will get Promoted from the Championship?

Stephen: I haven't followed it that closely if I'm honest - judging on results and the odd game I've seen, Brighton seem to be playing well but I suspect they may fade over time similarly to last season. Blackpool can play but they've had some rough results. I'd like to see Leeds do well but they're so inconsistent. Cardiff will be at the top again but I've got no love for them. At a bit of a blind guess: Blackpool, Leicester and Leeds? It’s hard to answer because the Championship changes a lot.

John: Wolves will win it. They have started to play very well under Ståle Solbakken and he has them playing like a team again, which I think was missing at the start of this season caused by a relegation hangover. Wolves have some good players - Ebanks Blake and Kevin Doyle are two of the best strikers in the Championship and I have been very impressed with their two new wingers Peszko and Sako. Cardiff will finish second, comfortably.

I am going for:


1st – Wolves 
2nd – Cardiff 
3rd – Brighton 
4th – Leicester 
5th – Blackpool 
6th – Leeds 

And I will add Leeds as a contender, I think they will spend a lot in January under their new ownership and they will have an excellent run of wins, which could take them into the play-offs. I wouldn’t be surprised if they got rid of Warnock at some point though. 

Ian: Leicester, Cardiff and Bolton (Owen Coyle will come back).

Sam: Wolves, Leicester and Leeds through the play-offs. Leicester have invested a lot of money in their squad over the last couple of seasons so I can see them finishing top.

Who will get Relegated?

Stephen: Peterborough, again. The relegation of any relative of Alex Ferguson will be met with my hard penis. Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton are stuttering - one of them, or even both, will go back down if I were betting on it.

John: I think Lee Clarke is struggling at Birmingham. His methods just don’t seem to be leaving any mark on the players and the 0-5 home defeat against Barnsley demonstrates this. The transfer embargo (albeit at the beginning of the summer) and the uncertainty surrounding Birmingham’s owner have all taken its toll. I can see them making a knee-jerk reaction in the coming months, sacking Lee Clark then spiralling out of control.

Therefore I will go for:

22nd – Birmingham (for the reasons given) 
23rd – Milwall 
24th – Peterborough 

Ian: Birmingham (yes, really), Bristol City and Peterborough. I know Peterborough have won two in a row but I have it on good authority that they're totally out their depth.

Sam: Peterborough look poor and I can't see them staying up. Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday are the other two for me. I think Paul Jewell will get the push soon and that may spark Ipswich into life. 

Steve Kean has finally been shown the door - the timing of his departure however is just another example of how bad Venky’s are for Blackburn and the game of football... Do you Think Blackburn’s Current Poor Form Shows that Steve Kean was better than People Gave him Credit for? 

Stephen: I don't Steve Kean is the worst manager around but he did himself so few favours that, unfortunately for him, it’s hard to sympathise. He had ample opportunity to leave with a little fan-respect and full self-respect but clinging on blankly through the relegation just stinks of stupidity or worse - greed. 

The only right thing for Venky’s to do now is to just fuck off and plough some money into IPL cricket over in India (they sell out stadiums over twenty20 franchises). I just don't get what Venky’s are doing, or what they’re getting out of this process - it's a big joke. The only good thing to come out of their Blackburn purchase was the absolutely class Venky’s Chicken advert with all the players gathered round the bowl like hungry dogs.

John: I thought Steve Kean was doing quite well but I think their current form is less as a result of Kean’s departure and more due to another brain fart from Venky’s. It’s insane that a club as badly run as that can still surprise you. I will admit that Steve Kean was doing a decent job in the Championship - as one of Kean’s toughest critics I can at least give him that. I can say however they were not playing well and it was more luck than skill that got them into first place. To be honest, Kean was never the problem at Blackburn - that’s what used to annoy me about the fans - under different owners he would have been given a chance but crucially sacked half way through last season if results had been the same. The problem for Blackburn has always been Venky’s and it will always be Venky’s. They do not understand the game, the sport, or anything to do with football for that matter. I can say this with the fullest confidence that as long as they are in charge, Blackburn will never amount to anything. In fact, if they don’t get promoted this season a similar fate of what befell Portsmouth is waiting to happen at Blackburn.

Ian: No he’s shit, but Venky’s are a joke, with or without Kean. Venky’s know precisely nothing about football. I think it shows the value of a good PR machine however – they also haven't been saying the right things in the press and have embarrassed themselves. The fans in turn have gradually grown more and more angry. Most are sporting bollocks that have a curious blue hue about them because of all the bile that's surrounded the club in the past couple of years. Christ I'm not even a Blackburn fan but VENKY’S OUT.

Sam: I think Kean is good coach, but that does not always make a good manager as we also saw last season with Terry Connor. He was not as bad as people said, but the promises made and the reality of what was actually delivered by Venky’s was completely different.

Who Would you Choose as Their Next Manager?

Stephen: The next manager will certainly be one of the usual - currently unemployed having been sacked for failure previously. Watch them all come out in their cars to make phone calls for the SSN cameras. Steve Bruce if I was putting a fiver on. John: I would go for Tim Sherwood. He has built quite a good reputation for himself at Tottenham as a coach and this could be the next step for him. If not, I think Dougie Freedman is a good manager – Freedman, Gus Poyet and Ian Holloway all have good track records and would all be considered good and sensible appointments. Even Owen Coyle would be a promising move. I think if Blackburn were to ask Alan Shearer it would be more of a good opportunity for him rather than a good opportunity for them. 

I am not Shebby Singh and Venky’s however so they will probably do things like this: Sign Sven Goran Erikson, spend a small fortune getting him, spend more money in January, finish mid table, fire Erikson, pay a fortune sacking him. Then appoint Eric Black on a full-time basis, announce administration, receive a 10 point penalty and lose Jordan Rhodes, Martin Olsson, Kazim Richards, Mauro Formica, Dickson Etuhu, Leon Best and Paul Robinson for cut price deals and watch Nuno Gomes and Danny Murphy retire. Blackburn will then fight bravely on until the end of the season where they will be relegated in March and begin life in League One for the start of the 2014-2015 season, totally fucked, with some random fan lead consortium.

Ian: Alan Shearer, simply to see if he's any good or not. Also, it would be a cracking mix with the chicken farmers. Come on Al son, take the gig! Sam: I think Blackburn need someone who will shake the team from the ground up but this will not happen as long as Venky’s are in charge. 

Bolton have had a Poor Start - is Owen Coyle the Man to Turn it Around?

Stephen: Hahahaha… please leave this question in, it tickles me. Yes Owen Coyle is absolutely the right man to turn it around. 

John: Yes… 

Ian: Yes, without a doubt. Oh... 

Sam: It just didn't work out for Owen Coyle. I don't think he's a bad manager, I just don't think he was suited for the club. This has been the case with a lot of managers. Sam Allardyce taking the reins at Newcastle comes to mind.

What are your Thoughts on the England Squad to play Poland and San Marino?

Stephen: I'm on a sabbatical from international football. I'm burying my head in the sand far away from it. The approach just pisses me off - I don't care if anybody wants to tell me I should be driving round with an England flag in my car while reading the daily sport - my opinion remains the same. After the Euros, I don't know when or why it happened, but at some point we were told that despite the players we have available, we would have to play submissive underdog football to stand any chance of winning an international match/tournament. It's just bullshit, it's not even a case of making massive changes - there were brief spells in the Euros where we had to press and needed to score and that was the best we played all tournament, for example during the last 25 minutes against Sweden when we were 2-1 down; it was fast, intense and very difficult for them to defend against yet alone create attacks of their own. During the next game however, the slow ponderous back foot approach was back and despite this we still somehow qualified. The answer to all of this seems to be that if you can't appreciate England’s approach you’re thick or a twat - well I'd rather be both than pretend I get it. Jesus.

John: So far I have been pleasantly surprised by Hodgson and his current squad selection is showing that he is slowly phasing out the older generation and making a team of the next generation. Ferdinand not being selected was excellent news and to be honest, the fact he hasn’t retired and made himself unavailable for international duty because of his Injuries, shows a lot of selfishness on his part. I don’t think you can argue a case for the omission of any member of this squad. All the players seem to be there on merit and it has been a long time since I could say that about an England squad.

Ian: Well, as it’s half-time and it's been pish I'd say not impressed at 2-0. To be fair though, what can you do? They're okay, but the players aren't exactly leaving me salivating for more.

Sam: Was pretty much as expected. Don’t know how Fraser Forster made it in there. There were a couple of players I wouldn't have in but wasn't exactly surprised by the selection...

Recommend a Player that isn’t Already Included in the Team?

Stephen: Sabbatical

John: If I had to say, I would probably go for Raheem Sterling instead of Theo Walcott, because Sterling he has played more games and has looked like a better player.

Ian: Raheem Sterling. A class act and one of the bright spots about Liverpool right now. Sam: Adam Johnson and Steven Taylor. To have a left footed player with Adam Johnson's skill would be a must for the England Team and I am shocked that they don't use him more. In my opinion he is a better player than Walcott and could offer them so much more. As for Taylor, he has been fantastic in the last two seasons and the Reading match showed how important he is for Newcastle as the goals started to leak. He is injured right now but hopefully will be considered for future squads. 

Do you Think There is any Reason to be Excited About the Future of the England National Team?

Stephen: Sabbatical

John: Despite answering both previous questions in a positive light I am now going to take a negative spin for this one. England is introducing young players and it is exciting to see change but that’s all it is. There is nobody, except for Jack Wilshire perhaps (but God knows what he is going to be like after his injuries), who stands out as world-class. The team lacks a world-class quality that England has had in generations previous. Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are probably the only two players who could be considered world star worthy, however one is past it and another is one of the most inconsistent players in the world. Danny Welbeck, Tom Cleverly, Andy Carroll and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are all good players but if they are the very best of the next generation then I don’t think there is a lot to look forward to. I just hope I am proven wrong.

Ian: I think so, Hodgson has been quite proactive bringing the younger players through. A lot of the older generation, i.e. Gerrard, Lampard etc. are not what England should look towards to progress now. This is as long as the players like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Welbeck and Cleverley etc. are given proper first team football, because the future of the National Team really does depend on it. I'm always hesitant about being "excited" or "expectant" about the National Team because it's raised expectations that cause this horrible arrogance and "England expects" culture which makes me sick. I'm more interested in Sunderland by a country mile.

Sam: Last season I would have said no, but with the recent emergence of players such as Oxlade-Chamberlain and Wellbeck I think that you can get excited. Raheem Sterling is in fine form and looking to be a good one for the future. I believe that the FA have realised the error of their ways and are trying to rectify that by investing in new projects such as the new training facility that has recently been opened. Give Three Predictions that will Happen over the Next Month About Anything to do with Football? 

Stephen:

1. A Lee Cattermole straight red card – a given 
2. A Premier League weekend with a pair of hat-tricks from Luis Suarez and Franco Di Santo. 
3. Liverpool unbeaten with Brendan Rodgers manager of the month. 

John:

1. A Mario Balotelli tantrum 
2. A Lee Cattermole Red card 
3. A Steve Kean interview during which he shares all about what really went on under Venky’s, which will be accompanied by his book: ‘To Mumbai and Back Again by Steve Kean’. 

Ian: 

1. Steve Kean will get the Bolton job. 
2. Chelsea will extend their lead at the top of the table to 8 points, with Everton in second come the end of the month. 
3. Venky’s will bow to the demand of their Galapagos Islands’ fan base and install an albatross as their next manager. 


Sam: 

1. Paul Jewell to go 
2. Mark Hughes to go 
3. Wolves to be top of the Championship

~Stephen Wrigglesworth
~John Lavery
~Ian Bendelow
~Sam Lavery