Ger McCarthy
WINNERS
Harry Redknapp
TOTTENHAM Hotspur’s manager endured a roller-coaster of emotions during a turbulent week. Redknapp had only been acquitted of tax evasion charges a few short hours before Fabio Capello’s resignation pushed the Spurs Coach into the forefront of the media glare once again as favourite to become next England manager. A marvellous Tottenham 5-0 victory Newcastle (including a brace from new signing Louis Saha) completed a terrific few days for the Redknapp clan and the only issue the likeable Londoner now faces is whether to stick with the White Hart Lane club on the cusp of Champions League qualification or take the poisoned chalice of the England job. It is still a welcome dilemma for Redknapp considering the pressure he has been under during the past couple of years.
Blackburn Rovers
Steve Kean has done it again. The oft maligned Blackburn Rovers Coach saw his side bounce back from a 7-1 drubbing at the hands of Arsenal to record a crucial 3-2 victory at home to fellow strugglers QPR. Kean’s decision to continually leave out Christopher Samba — after the giant centre-half tried to instigate a move during the January transfer window — has underlined the manager’ authority at Ewood Park and his players delivered another battling display on Saturday. The return of the previously suspended Yakubu proved the difference between two sides desperate to move away from the relegation zone and if Kean can conjure up similar performances in upcoming ‘six-pointers’ against Wolves and Bolton then Rovers have a fighting chance of avoiding the drop.
Pavel Pogrebnyak
Fulham’s new signing made an instant impact at Craven Cottage by scoring on his home debut in the 2-1 defeat of Stoke City. Pogrebnyak was brought in by Martin Jol from Vfb Stuttgart as a direct replacement for Bobby Zamora who was moved on to QPR after a series of rumoured dressing room bust-ups with the Dutch manager. The new Russian striker wasted no time in making his mark on the Premier League with a stunning left foot effort into the top corner of the net to set the Cottagers on their way to their seventh victory of the campaign. Jol’s astute acquisition looks set to reap dividends for Fulham as an alleged trouble-making striker has been replaced with a hungry international front-man eager to cement his place in Russia’s squad ahead of Euro 2012.
Thierry Henry
The on-loan New York Red Bulls striker concluded his second Arsenal spell with a ‘Roy of the Rovers’ moment at the Stadium of Light. Henry rose to volley home an Andrei Arshavin cross deep into injury time and secure an unlikely 2-1 comeback at the expense of Sunderland to move the Gunners into the top four. An injury-plagued Henry has proven a more than useful temporary signing from the MLS and both Arsene Wenger plus Henry himself have left the door open to a possible third loan spell in the future. Henry’s arrival helped ease the burden on Robin Van Persie as well as contributing three goals in six appearances. Little doubt Arsenal will miss their Gallic legend for the remainder of the campaign but at least Thierry Henry exited with a winning strike to add to a bulging treasure chest of memories.
LOSERS
Manchester United and Liverpool
The off-pitch antics at Old Trafford on Saturday were beamed around the world and painted the Premier League in a horrifically negative light. Not even an intense local derby could overshadow the handshake (or lack of it) beforehand and neither Luis Suarez nor Patrice Evra’s behaviour covered either club in glory.
A raft of official statements released on Sunday afternoon did little to lift the gloom on one of the sorriest episodes in Premier League history and the only hope now is that the players, clubs and league can finally move on.
André Villas-Boas
It is never a good sign for a Chelsea manager to hear your supporters singing ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’. An even more worrying sign is when club owner Roman Abramovich deems it necessary to attend the Cobham training ground throughout the week leading up to a fixture. André Villas-Boas is no fool and well aware that Chelsea’s failure to win a Premier League fixture for the fourth consecutive game means his job is now on the line. Everton were full value for their 2-0 victory and without the authority of John Terry at the back Chelsea looked rudderless and inept. Failure to overcome Napoli in the last sixteen of the Champions League will surely sound the death knell for Villas-Boas and possibly usher in the unlikeliest of returns for a ‘Special One’?
Bolton Wanderers
Inconsistency could be the killer element in Bolton Wanderers eventual relegation as Owen Coyle could only watch in horror as his side capitulated at home to bottom of the table Wigan Athletic. Two victories in their last six outings has Bolton just one point off the foot of the standings but more worryingly for Coyle was the fact a Wigan side with only two wins on the road (and just one at home) were able to boss possession for long stretches and run out fully deserved winners. What was left of the crowd in the Reebok Stadium at full time left their club’s manager in no uncertain terms as to their opinion of Wanderers latest effort and with away visits to Chelsea and Man City on the horizon Owen Coyle’s job is now in serious jeopardy.
Mick McCarthy
Losing a Black Country derby 5-1 at home to West Bromwich Albion proved too much for hundreds of disgruntled Wolves supporters on Sunday. Members of the Molineux faithful directed their anger at the Directors Box and manager Mick McCarthy after the finalwhislte as Wolves dropped to one place above the relegation zone (on goal difference) after another spiritless display. The former Republic of Ireland manager was sacked on Monday morning leaving his successor 13 games to turn things around. The likes of Alan Curbishley – an early favourite with some bookmakers – Steve Bruce and Neil Warnock will inevitably be linked as possible candidates.
Follow Ger on Twitter: @germccarthy74
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/wLoXqJM3cfE/post.aspx
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