This weekend, we’re asking if Man United and Liverpool can keep it civil, is ‘Arry’s mind already elsewhere, what is wrong with Aston O’Villa and can two Canaries make a late charge for the Euro 2012 squad?
Keep an eye out for the Boys in Green (and yellow)
The campaign to have James McClean included in the Irish squad for the Euros has understandably been gaining some momentum of late, but it was interesting to read Shay Given’s thoughts on the squad last weekend.
Saying that loyalty shouldn’t be an absolutely definitive factor, it was Norwich duo Anthony Pilkington and Wes Hoolahan that Given mentioned as candidates for selection based on their outstanding form for the Canaries this season. Judging by Pilkington’s comments on the matter, he could take or leave a place in the squad, but he couldn’t understand why Hoolahan wasn’t being considered and he makes a valid point, especially when even the prospect of Stephen Ireland returning has been brought up, even if it was by his girlfriend.
The ex-Shels man has been in an Irish squad before and should be given a chance again, even if his size and perceived lack of defensive qualities will go against him before the Euros. Still, if he keeps shining for Norwich, he’ll be harder to ignore. Defender Marc Tierney is also eligible for Ireland and is due to return from injury this weekend, but he has even less of a chance than Pilkington or Hoolahan of a late call-up.
‘Arry will be in the Spurs dugout, but will his mind be elsewhere?
We weren’t exactly convinced by Harry Redknapp’s claims that he hasn’t yet thought about the England job, but he did a pretty good job of fooling everyone into thinking that was the case yesterday. In fact, that conviction in the face of contradicting evidence probably stood to him in court last week. Zing.
It seems inevitable that ‘Arry will get the job and he knows it. Thus it will be very hard for him to maintain complete focus on Spurs between now and the summer. If you cast your mind back to when Alex Ferguson had planned to retire in 2002, it had a major effect on the Manchester United team of the time. And even though it has been completely overblown by the English media, Capello himself didn’t seem as dedicated of late knowing that he was calling it a day in the summer anyway.
The way the situation has been portrayed since Capello’s resignation is that ‘Arry gets the job and everybody wins. Except Spurs.
Put this Suarez saga to bed once and for all
Man United v Liverpool is the big one of the weekend, no doubt. Hopefully after the pre-match handshakes are out of the way and the booing of Luis Suarez fades out after a few minutes (if he starts), this incredibly drawn out saga can be put to bed once and for all.
Hopefully, this battle will remain cordial on Saturday afternoon
Kenny Dalglish probably had no need to say that Suarez shouldn’t have been banned in the first place on Monday night and the player himself didn’t exactly steer clear of controversy with a dodgy-looking if accidental kick on Scott Parker. What’s being ignored in the build up to the game, however, is that it has potentially massive ramifications for the title race.
If Liverpool can beat United, the Red Devils will more than likely be five points behind City with only 13 games to go. It might not be game set and match, but a pretty substantial lead at this late stage and wouldn’t Liverpool just love to be the ones to stick a knife into their bitter rivals’ title charge.
Speaking of City…
Speaking of City, on paper they have the easiest task of the big clubs this weekend, which speaks volumes for the situation at Aston O’Villa (does that name accurately signify the Irish contingent at the club? No? Ok, then) at the moment.
The manager had to deny reports of a bust-up with Stephen Ireland, Charles N’Zogbia is supposedly unhappy and even though those two are hardly model professionals, many people were inclined to believe a parody Aston Villa Twitter account which falsely suggested that Alex McLeish had been sacked on the same night that Fabio Capello resigned.
After a walk in the snow against Fulham last weekend, City look poised for another facile victory, which would leave them sitting very pretty indeed at the top of the table.
Pulis needs to Stoke the fires on the pitch
Far from having a go at potential Irish international David Meyler for diving (an incredible suggestion given the circumstances of the Huth tackle) Tony Pulis would be better of concentrating his efforts on his own side’s performances.
The Potters have won only one in their last eight and although you get the impression that they’re unlikely to drift too far away from mid-table, they could do with a bit of a kick up the arse. Even more so, in fact, with the Europa League back next week, because they struggled abysmally in the Premier League following European games earlier in the season.
