Poor old Paul Ince. He might have even been sacked by the time you read this. I hope he gets longer but I don't expect so. It’s not a Father Christmas sack the Blackburn Board probably have in mind. It’s the p45 version. Oh dear! It’s almost enough to put you off your pie (only joking, but it’s no joke for Mincey!). Paul Ince, a fine player, had cut his teeth on management in the lower leagues with Macclesfield and MK Dons. The boy done well but it wasn't quite that easy at Blackburn where Paul Ince signed a three year contract to be manager. But probs straight away.
Star winger David Bentley was sold to Spurs and top goalie Brad Friedal was allowed to join Aston Villa. The previous manager Mark Hughes had probably taken the modern Blackburn as far as they can realistically go post Jack Walker. Ince, now six months into his tenure, has seen his team suffer their sixth successive defeat in the Premier League where they are five points adrift from safety. His Board were all present at the three nil away defeat at Wigan and one report had them locked into a lengthy after-match discussion. Once the media start the speculation and you keep losing and the chairman refuses to comment (nearly as bad as a vote of confidence only more honest most of the time!) you are on the slippery slope to exit doors. The chairman attended his son's wedding the day after the Wigan game - one wedding and a funeral? We will see before the weekend's tricky match with Stoke City.........
Wayne Rooney was headlines after an alleged stamp on Danish midfielder Kasper Risgard in last week's European Champions League 2-2 match with Aalborg. Risgard claimed Rooney jumped on his chest and left him with bruises. UEFA watched the TV evidence and stated no charges. Rooney's manager Sir Alex Ferguson refused to comment except to accuse the Press of causing UEFA to need to look at it! The TV replays looked bad but everyone now needs to get on with it. But Rooney has to be careful. He is a great player but he does chance it at times................
Why can Chelsea set up a Premier League record of 11 successive away wins but keep drawing or losing at home? They have only won 3 of their 9 Premier League home matches. That does mean they have dropped 14 points at home. This from a club previously unbeaten in the Premier League at home for 4 years! It’s enough to give their manager Luiz Felipe Scolari a massive headache. As it is, he spent Saturday night in hospital with kidney stone problems. Very painful........... must be catching because 24 hours later the Liverpool manager Rafa Benitz is taken to hospital with exactly the same complaint, and Rafa had a minor operation on Monday. Heard the painful one about the Brazilian and the Spaniard? We wish them both a speedy recovery...
Rafa has got a home result problem as well. Liverpool lead the Premier League by just a point from Chelsea but they have drawn 4 of their 9 home games. Three of those were goalless against Stoke, Fulham and West Ham while last weekend they drew 2-2 with Hull after being 2 nil down before Captain Marvel Steven Gerrard scored both goals...again! The reason I do not think Liverpool will be champions is that they rely too much on Steven Gerrard and the injured Fernando Torres. Alright, I know they beat Manchester United without them but that is the exception not the rule.........
Why did Rafa not bring on £20.3 million substitute Robbie Keane? I know he can't score at present but he is class and the goals will come…instead Rafa uses three other subs…Nabil El Zhar, Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva to no avail. Potty, or whatever that is in Spanish?....
Newcastle out of the bottom three at last after their 3 nil win at Pompey. Manager Joe Kinnear ( till the end of the season at least!) wants to keep captain Michael Owen who has been offered a new contract. Will he accept it or walk elsewhere at the end of the season...?
Aston Villa up to fourth spot after their 4-2 home win over Bolton. Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young are simply brilliant. Both are showing consistent England class. Gabby drives a white £180,000 Lamborghini (he thinks credit crunch is a new biscuit!) and now wears lime-green boots! He is playing so well he can wear whatever colour boots he wants!
Pieman tears for Danny Wilson, a top manager who has been shown the door by League One Hartlepool after 6 matches without a win (aka Paul Ince). Danny got them promoted two years ago and they have slipped all the way to mid-table!....
Finally some quotes from the legendary manager:
Wayne Rooney was headlines after an alleged stamp on Danish midfielder Kasper Risgard in last week's European Champions League 2-2 match with Aalborg. Risgard claimed Rooney jumped on his chest and left him with bruises. UEFA watched the TV evidence and stated no charges. Rooney's manager Sir Alex Ferguson refused to comment except to accuse the Press of causing UEFA to need to look at it! The TV replays looked bad but everyone now needs to get on with it. But Rooney has to be careful. He is a great player but he does chance it at times................
Why can Chelsea set up a Premier League record of 11 successive away wins but keep drawing or losing at home? They have only won 3 of their 9 Premier League home matches. That does mean they have dropped 14 points at home. This from a club previously unbeaten in the Premier League at home for 4 years! It’s enough to give their manager Luiz Felipe Scolari a massive headache. As it is, he spent Saturday night in hospital with kidney stone problems. Very painful........... must be catching because 24 hours later the Liverpool manager Rafa Benitz is taken to hospital with exactly the same complaint, and Rafa had a minor operation on Monday. Heard the painful one about the Brazilian and the Spaniard? We wish them both a speedy recovery...
Rafa has got a home result problem as well. Liverpool lead the Premier League by just a point from Chelsea but they have drawn 4 of their 9 home games. Three of those were goalless against Stoke, Fulham and West Ham while last weekend they drew 2-2 with Hull after being 2 nil down before Captain Marvel Steven Gerrard scored both goals...again! The reason I do not think Liverpool will be champions is that they rely too much on Steven Gerrard and the injured Fernando Torres. Alright, I know they beat Manchester United without them but that is the exception not the rule.........
Why did Rafa not bring on £20.3 million substitute Robbie Keane? I know he can't score at present but he is class and the goals will come…instead Rafa uses three other subs…Nabil El Zhar, Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva to no avail. Potty, or whatever that is in Spanish?....
Newcastle out of the bottom three at last after their 3 nil win at Pompey. Manager Joe Kinnear ( till the end of the season at least!) wants to keep captain Michael Owen who has been offered a new contract. Will he accept it or walk elsewhere at the end of the season...?
Aston Villa up to fourth spot after their 4-2 home win over Bolton. Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young are simply brilliant. Both are showing consistent England class. Gabby drives a white £180,000 Lamborghini (he thinks credit crunch is a new biscuit!) and now wears lime-green boots! He is playing so well he can wear whatever colour boots he wants!
Pieman tears for Danny Wilson, a top manager who has been shown the door by League One Hartlepool after 6 matches without a win (aka Paul Ince). Danny got them promoted two years ago and they have slipped all the way to mid-table!....
Finally some quotes from the legendary manager:
Bill Shankly: "I was the best manager in Britain because I was never devious or cheated anyone. I'd break my wife's legs if I played against her but I'd never cheat her!"
Ron Atkinson: "It's bloody tough being a legend!"
Jamaica coach Rene Simoes: "We are the Cinderellas of the World Cup. Our mission is to postpone midnight for as long as possible."
Ken Brown, when manager of Norwich: "With our luck, one of our players must be bonking a witch!"
More on my blog very soon.
Have fun and play fair,
The Pieman
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