KOPI-TALKS 
KOPI-TALKS
|
|
|
THE GREAT SACKING
RACE HAS BEGUN 11.10.02 Previous Page Next Page Since Peter Reid was sacked early this week, 3 other managers have left their posts albeit from lower divisions. The most high profile would inevitably be George Burley, who has paid the price for Ipswich languishing at the bottom of Division 1. I always remember that he was the manager of the year for the 2000/2001 season which he, in my opinion, was undeservedly awarded ahead of Gerard Houllier who won the treble. How times have changed after that! From the demotion of Ipswich the following season to his sacking this week, you can’t help but feel sorry for him. One of the other 2 managers who left this week is a Liverpool great. Jan Molby, in many Liverpool fans opinion, was a great passer of the ball. I still remember clearly he had a hand in at least 2 of the goals which led to Liverpool beating Everton 3-2 in the FA Cup in the late 80s. What a player! Unfortunately, he has to suffer the indignity of being sacked. Steve Cotterill, ex-manager of Stoke City, don’t know much about him until yesterday, joined Howard Wilkinson at Sunderland. Can the 2 of them turn Sunderland around? I don’t think so. I was never convinced of Wilkinson’s coaching ability although he won a league title at Leeds with Eric Cantona. The following season following the title, Leeds nearly got relegated and Cantona was sold to the Scums (Man U). The rest is history. Wilkinson will certainly have a tough job on hand, and as mentioned in my earlier article “Who will take over in Sunderland”, he will not be able to buy new players until January but does the Black Cats have the money to buy in any case? So who’s next? At this stage last season, there was uproar on the number of managers sacked, 30+? I think. I don’t keep track of the teams at the lower division, but my “favourites” for the premier league are Glenn Roeder and Alan Curbishley, and probably Sam Allardyce. So, you know which teams are my relegation candidates. No EPL this weekend. Yawn! Slovakia vs England, or rather, Middlesbrough vs Middlesbrough. Slovakia has opened their campaign with a poor 3-0 defeat to Turkey, it seems that this team may not be much of a threat to England. Szilard Nemeth, I always think that his name looks like “lizards”, has done well in Boro. He will miss the partnership of Maccarone, truly one of the buys of the season. Southgate and Ehiogu has been partners since their time at Villa and should have the measure of the lizard. Liverpool lads-wise, Stevie G would be throwing his weight around after missing the World Cup, while Michael Owen would look to add to his goal tally for the 3 lions. Will Heskey play? I am sure he will. As at Liverpool, he is also a favourite for Eriksson. Must be something that the top managers (including Martin O’Neill of ex-Leicester) can see from Heskey’s value that we layman soccer fanatics cannot see. My prediction: Slovakia 0, Liverpool, oops, England 2. Lets go for a Gerrard and Owen goal. Have a nice-weekend!
Liverpool Fanatic Latest Entries 28.11.02 : Curse of the Gong 15.11.02 : Too Big A Hole 27.10.02 : Reds Toppled Hotspur 18.10.02 : Lightning Strikes Thrice; Seaman Exclusive Player's Interview |
Send mail to [email protected] with
questions or comments about this web site.
|