No side in the bottom half of the table has scored or conceded more goals than Stoke. So at least Mark Hughes had made things entertaining this season.
But as we approach the halfway mark, it’s the time when clubs start panicking; chief Swan, Paul Clement, got axed this week (an illegal act) and Sparky may be in trouble if he can’t outwit Alan Pardew’s Baggies. The level of allure on that match and more, in edition 19…
Swansea being martyrs in bucking the trend of hiring from the old boys’ club
The average age of managers appointed this season has been 59.8, such has the demand been for experienced Englishman who pinpoint Premier League stability as a strength on their CVs. But with Swansea, whose extensive list of foreign acquisitions – and, indeed, style of play – over the least 10 years has become paramount to the club’s identity, the feeling is they’ll for more Frank de Boer than Tony Pulis.
Frustration for OCD-sufferers that every team hasn’t played every team at the halfway mark
Very much a subheading stemming from the feelings of yours truly. Each Premier League side has played 18 other sides before this halfway mark, but, this weekend, won’t play the one they haven’t faced. Why? What are Premier League white collars getting out of this nonsensical scheduling? Steal one of the leaves adorning the Bundesliga handbook – you play every other team in the league up to the halfway mark, then play the Rückrunde in the same order. Efficient.
Getting caught out by the Leicester v Man Utd kick-off time
Amid news that proper Saturday Night Football will launch next season, with 7.45pm kick-offs, some people are getting confused as to whether that’s launching this weekend with the Leicester v Man Utd. As it happens, December 23 is just renowned for having a host of Premier League games because of its acceptable closeness to Christmas Day. For those who don’t yet know that the game is at proper Saturday night time, don’t worry – it happens to the best of us.
Stoke v WBA being perhaps the most unappetising game of football in a long while
It says much about the overriding reputation of a club that, even though Stoke have been involved in more goals than any other side in the bottom half, the mere mentioning of their participation in any Premier League game halves its attraction. And then there’s West Brom. Gosh. Alan Pardew has, without question, had the most clandestine introduction of any newly appointed manager this season, partly because they’ve scored one goal since he arrived. To recap, should be a cracker.
Pep Guardiola still awaiting an invitation from BBC Proms
Manchester City edged their way past Leicester City in midweek to reach the EFL Cup semi-finals, which launched Pep Guardiola into one of his monthly outpourings of extreme passion. As he approached the travelling City fans, they bellowed their “We’ve got… Guardiola” chant, much to their bald genius’ delight. He orchestrated them like a uncoordinated madman, which, in fairness, is how most conductors appear.
‘Teams of the season SO FAR’ grey areas instigating arguments
Sky Sports’ release of their pundits’ teams of the season so far sparked much debate during the week. What formation? Do you go for wing-backs? Can you really blag David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne as a holding midfield partnership? Can you really pick Tarkowski and Mee? Therein lie some of the problems with this flexibly-run, hypothetical exercise. It needs a more stringent selection policy, then the real fun can ensue.
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