Premier League Bingo Gameweek 23: Don't Forget To Offload Philippe Coutinho

Premier League Bingo Gameweek 23: Don't Forget To Offload Philippe Coutinho
11:51, 12 Jan 2018

Premier League Bingo: Gameweek 23

Thirteen Premier League sides remain in the FA Cup, meaning there will be a couple easily forgettable league games that come around at the end of January.

But for now, let’s focus on the positives: a) another full round of fixtures, and b) another Premier League Bingo.

The crippling realisation you’ve missed the deadline to transfer Coutinho out of your fantasy team

Liverpool profited £137m+ from their sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, a cracking return for the not even the second best attacking midfielder in the league. Nevertheless, the point worth remembering with exported players is to also ship them from your fantasy XI – otherwise they’re sitting there collecting dust. So set your phone – or alarm clock, if you’re one of those – to ring early on Saturday morning to beat the 11am cut off.

Remaining utterly confused regarding the use of VAR

The Video Assistant Referee was used once in its English debut, and FOUR times during Chelsea v Arsenal in the League Cup semi-final, which was utterly oblivious to those in the ground, as was yours truly. Its use is limited to a) whether goals should stand, b) penalties, c) red cards, and d) mistaken identity. However, when it was being used on Wednesday night, it just seemed from the stands as if Martin Atkinson was just taking a call from home, such were the long, unexplained pauses.

West Bromwich Albion winning a football match

They actually managed one of these rare feats in the FA Cup last week, albeit to League Two Exeter City. Saturday’s visit of Brighton does genuinely warrant the “must-win” tag, such has Alan Pardew’s lack of New Manager Impact been. In fact, if they lose, there may be the rare feat of the club sacking two managers in one season.

Roy Hodgson coming on up top for Crystal Palace amid their rotten injury spell

Having just lost to fierce rivals Brighton, who sold half of their tickets, in the FA Cup, Roy Hodgson declared he now had eight players injured, seeming utterly distraught in his delivery. Six of those are long term absentees, and it’s coming to the point where Roy may have to strip down and do some pressing up top, while letting the defenders know he’s there.

January being the month where Manchester City “show what they’re made of”

Sky Sports expert – and a proper one, none of this Neil Mellor malarkey – Gary Neville always mentions how December to February are where top sides show if they have title-winning mettle. Although Manchester City have spoiled any hopes of a to-the-wire title race for a fourth season, make no doubt that before their game against Liverpool on Sunday they’ll still be auditioning for Graeme Souness’ approval.

The murmur of Quique Flores’ return worrying Pep Guardiola, Marco Silva, and Antonio Conte (with a beard)

Having finally cut ties with Mark Hughes, Stoke are in search of a new manager to spruce up the touchline. If they have taken that line literally, then Quique Flores is a fitting candidate. The Bond villain is the type that, once passed, will have glowing eulogies from the tea ladies. Guardiola, Silva and Conte best start plucking those eyebrows.

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