Midweek action not short of talking points
If you were expecting some fairly run of the mill midweek action following the drama of the weekend, then you are likely to have been fairly disappointed by last night’s event. Journalists will not have been short of things to write about for this morning’s press, and with more games to come this evening, we take a look at the week’s major talking points so far.
Liverpool’s woes continue
‘Crisis’, ‘abyss’ and ‘on the brink’ are all things you might have read about Liverpool and Rafa Benitez this morning following their 1-2 defeat against Lyon last night. To make matters worse, Benitez is going to have to turn things around against Manchester United on Sunday with injury doubts over Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson. Is it make or break time for the Spaniard?
Champions League serves up other dramas
Given Liverpool’s recent form, last night’s result probably shouldn’t have come as too much of a shock. Barcelona losing 1-2 to Rubin Kazan at the Nou Camp, was however. Add Inter Milan’s home draw against Dynamo Kiev to the mix, and you have a Group F which is becoming increasingly difficult to predict. Meanwhile, spare a thought for Rangers fans, who saw fit to boo off their side after they capitulated 1-4 at home to Unirea Urziceni.
Southgate gets his marching orders
It seemed like it was coming for a while, but few expected it to happen after Middlesbrough beat Derby 2-0 to go within a point of the Championship summit. Fan power may finally have won over the patient Steve Gibson, as the chairman dismissed Gareth Southgate of his managerial duties. Perhaps Gordon Strachan, hot favourite to replace Southgate, can provide the attractive brand of winning football they crave.
Keane on dangerously thin ice
Ipswich Town managed their seventh draw of the season last night at home to Watford. Not so bad from 13 games you might think, but the fact is they haven’t managed a win yet and are bottom of the Championship. Not the start Roy Keane was expected to deliver and things might get a lot hotter for him come the weekend when Town travel to second from bottom Plymouth Argyle. Looks like a must win game for Keane.
Ferguson gets the hump
The Football Association’s decision to charge Sir Alex Ferguson following his comments about Alan Wiley obviously rankles with the Manchester United manager. In a press conference yesterday, when asked about the charge, Ferguson dismissed it as a ‘silly question’, before leaving his chair and heading quickly for the exit. It will be interesting to see the punishment the FA deem appropriate for his comments.
Best of the rest
If all of that wasn’t enough, Harry Redknapp has expressed his displeasure at his players’ late night antics, Leicester City are trying to sign Edgar Davids, and John Barnes has been declared bankrupt. All this and it’s only Tuesday. Champions League games for Manchester United and Chelsea this evening, as well as an intriguing looking tie between Real Madrid and AC Milan, are bound to provide more to talk about.
As ever, let us know your thoughts on the latest goings on in the football world.
