Well, week one of the Premier League is in the books and some things are already evident. In fact, three matches summed up the League, from top to bottom. The trifecta of which I’m speaking ran out as follows: Chelsea 6, West Brom 0, Manchester United 3, Newcastle 0 and Wigan 0, Blackpool 4.
4-0?! This wise lad doesn't want to wake up.
Now, before you get all up in arms about that last match, I’m not saying that the Tangerine Dream are definitely staying up. I’m aware that each one of the three results is just one game in a very long campaign. With their away thrashing of the Latics, Blackpool have proven that they’re game, certainly, but there’s more work to be done before they’ve shown they belong.
So what am I getting at? First off, it’s that the Blues and United are still the class of the league. None of last seasons pretenders have taken a step forward. City and Spurs fought to a stalemate but it wasn’t what you would call epic. Arsenal were very slow out of the gate and Liverpool still seem to have a black cloud over their heads, with Joe Cole being sent off early and Pepe Reina inexplicably gifting the Gunners a point at the death. Tim Howard did the same, if in the early going, as Everton dropped what should have been at least one point at Blackburn. Is it something in the Mersey’s water? Villa were solid against West Ham but it was James Milner’s last match for the Birmingham outfit. No, if you’re looking for the 2011 Premier League champion, it’s a very narrow search.
The other point that these contests drove home, was just which clubs and managers aren’t likely to be sticking around for long. Shortly into every season, speculation heats up as to who will be the first manager to be let go by his club. This year is no different. At WFC, we’re just jumping the gun a bit because all the targets have already been flushed.
Now, it’s only a matter of time before a Premier League executive cocks the trigger and we wait for the…
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVYccHAG6gk
..
Don't think about losing, Roberto. Just keep your mind on all that money.
West Brom suffered the worst drubbing of all, although there isn’t actually much surprise there. They’ve been going back and forth between the Championship and the top flight for the last few years, like Hillary Clinton shuttling between Gaza and Jerusalem, trying to coax Hamas and the Knesset back to the bargaining table. Only for the Baggies, by not signing overpriced, mediocre talent and just pocketing Richard Scudamore’s money, it’s been much more profitable.
Nor does Roberto di Matteo have any need to update his CV. Tony Mowbray was hired by Celtic (wince!) based solely on West Brom’s lower division accomplishments. If recent history is any indication, the WBA bar is set so low that the Swiss born Italian has no worries, whatsoever.
On the other hand, Chris Hughton, at Newcastle, and Roberto Martinez, of Wigan, can’t be calmed by any measure of job security, at all. They’re joined in that unhappy boat by Avram Grant.
I'm not orthodox, so why do I keep flogging myself like this?
Newly arrived at the EPL version of The Eastenders, aka West Ham, Grant has jumped from the frying pan into the fire. Ironically, the club is in West London but it’s day to day business is a soap opera nonetheless. One would think, after his ordeal at Fratton Park, that the seemingly masochistic Israeli is aware that the Davids, Gold & Sullivan, will quickly chuck any investment that doesn’t show an instant return. Yet, there he is. To be fair, the signing of Scott Parker to a five year deal, should help the former victim of Chelsea and Pompey settle things somewhat, at Upton Park.
When you take a look at the bottom of the Premier League table, at the end of the last two seasons and to begin the present campaign, it seems to serve as proof for the old axiom, nice guys finish last.
Grant stepped in at Pompey last year, replacing another decent bloke in Paul Hart, and was promptly lied to and embarrassed by a succession of carpetbagging owners, who between them couldn’t scrape together a few bob for a pint at the Milton Arms. As if that wasn’t a sufficiently nightmarish experience, he happily took over for Gianfranco Zola at West Ham.
I pity the next guy who sits in this seat.
Zola was the epitomy of class as he struggled to keep the Hammers in the Premier League, despite the reluctance of the outgoing Icelandic owners and incoming porn kings to spend significant cash on an impactful player, or two. In press conference after press conference, Zola refused to rise to the bait of his new bosses, who played carrot and stick with him so frequently that it was obvious to all they thought him an ass.
Two years ago, Chris Hughton suffered the same treatment at the hands of Mike Ashley. Twice dissatisfied with the young coach’s lack of results as caretaker manager, the Toon owner gave him the hook in short order on both occasions. When the club was relegated and the discount sportswear magnate was unable to offload it or sign Geordie icon, Alan Shearer, as permanent manager, the Londoner was again given the job. As it would appear, after his side were quickly cowed at Old Trafford, last year’s runaway success in the Championship has indeed, run away, and Ashley, still hoping to flog the club, will likely revert to past form and begin looking for a name to assume command.
If Hatem Ben Arfa doesn't sign, Hughton may be facing an early vacation.
Hughton, another example of professionalism and humility will likely envy Shearer. Never one to blush when it came time for the rough stuff, the Premier League’s record goal scorer refused to back down from his demands for a solid budget and final decision on transfers. Whether he would have been a success or failure, Shearer would have done it on his own terms. Owen Coyle, by all accounts a player’s manager, also showed the ruthlessness to move on, from Burnley, when it became obvious that situation was hopeless.
That killer instinct is what is missing from all the men we’ve talked about here and likely why they find themselves propping up the table rather than partaking in the feast.
... Where he might want to watch out for Wigan's Martinez, who'll be wearing that deer in the headlights expression quite often, this year.
Worst of the bunch might be the unfailingly polite Wigan skipper, Roberto Martinez. His side was battered several times last year and, in every aftermath, he stood before the press, smiling and saying all the right things. In his coverage of the World Cup, for the American ESPN, he refused to respond to the frequent jibes of the rest of the analysts, most notably the ever arrogant Ruud Gullit. Wigan owner, Dave Whelan, is noted for his loyalty but at some point, that faith needs to be justified with a few results.
So, here we are, one match into the campaign and the lines have already been drawn. It’s inevitable that the League Managers Association CEO, Richard Bevin, will be mourning the loss of one of his clients.
Who do you think it will be? Vote below and don’t be afraid to add your comments.
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