EPL 2017/18 - Game Week 10

As you watch things unfold, you will actually learn many things about management, team work, values, psychology, attitude, organisation, opportunities, etc. Fortunes change all the time. In crisis there are opportunities. Some dreams turned into nightmares, others rise from the ashes.

Why Mourinho dare not play like Guardiola or Klopp, why Klopp can't be more like Mourinho defensively. Why such a good team like Tottenham haven't won the title? In 2015/16, Leicester shook the EPL and the world. Last seaon Chelsea pipped them. This season, Tottenham have been as good, perhaps even better but have to contend with an equally highly impressive Manchester City. These two are the potential Champions in a 1-2 finish. While as I have predicted Ronald Koeman has been sacked by Everton, Slaven Bilic may be in danger next.

Manchester United v Tottenham - Mourinho's United just do not play like a 300 million pound team. They struggled and were deservedly beaten by a very good Huddersfield side. He has started to blame players again. They are hosting an excellent Tottenham team brimming with confidence and strong in all departments. Harry Kane, with 17 goals to his name in all club and internationals is in a magic moment and scoring freely and even creating goals. He could take on any team, any player and score any type of goals. Defenders panic when Kane has the ball. Where Mourinho gets the big clubs and splash the cash then dare not play, Mauricio Pochettino has been building a team on a much smaller budget with a base of English players and is never afraid to play attacking football and introducing young players. Mourinho is unhappy with the poor display at Huddersfield where they lost 1-2 and like some MRT chiefs blamed the players. The last time it happened at Chelsea there was some kind of revolt which led to his departure. Pochettino is creating a happy team. It could not have been more contrasting as Tottenham are visiting after a convincing and crushing win over Liverpool. However, with a slightly different team Tottenham led West Ham by 2-0 before crashing to a 2-3 defeat by a Hammers fight back in the League Cup. Was there something for Mourinho and United to exploit after all? Or will Tottenham fly again with Kane, Alli and Erikssen leading the pack? Spurs must bounce back and make it their season. With Kane out injured, the rest have to step up a notch so that they will not be called the Kane team. Pochettino or Poch is the epoch. 1-2.

Arsenal v Swansea - The Gunners gave a very good account in the 5-2 routing of Everton which led to Ronald Koeman's sacking whee Ozil was outstanding. Will Arsenal flatter to deceive again? They are hosting Paul Clement's ball playing Swansea side who seems to be lacking confidence as they have been losing by the odd goal and they do not have the players to bully Arsenal. I could only see the Gunners winning this one at the Emirates making things tough on Swansea. 3-1.

Crystal Palace v West Ham - The Eagles revival was so inspirational when they won against Chelsea. They lost 0-1 at Newcastle and then got thrashed 1-4 by Bristol City in the League Cup. Back to square one. The Hammers are not much better when they got trounced 0-3 at home against Brighton. The league cup win over Spurs from 0-2 down to win 3-2 will inspire them. But sides need points but will likely share one. 1-1.

Liverpool v Huddersfield - The Reds have a delightful attack that even neutrals love. Their midfield of Henderson, Can and Wijnaldum lack a bit of discipline protecting their back line. Since more than two years ago, Klopp knew the problem and everyone could see it from Mignolet to Lovren but he brought back Mignolet and even rewarded Lovren with a new contract and these two players are the most culpable in giving away points and goals. They are so poor that you could pick any keeper or centre back from any other Premier League team and they could do better. They can't defend set pieces nor throw ins. If you play alongside them, you would be a bundle of nerves. If you play up front, you will get discouraged and frustrated as it is such hard work to get difficult goals only to see them crumble at the back without much provocation. So why did Klopp not drop them but instead rewarded them. Blind faith? Lovren was a total wreck I would be surprised if he plays this weekend, so too Mignolet. It was embarrassing to be substituted so early on and maybe Mignolet was thinking he should be substituted too to be spared more embarrassment but Klopp was not like some MRT chiefs, he took responsibility. Only thing is that his Liverpool is like some MRT trains that breaks down frequently, breaks down when they were just looking good and you know not when it is breaking down again. Why didn't Klopp do something about it for two years? How could you totally destroyed Slovenian Champions Maribor 7-0 away so effectively and crumbled like this? That is the manager's responsibility.

Now Klopp shall meet his countryman and fellow ex Borussia Dortmund friend David Wagner, boss of Huddersfield who just last week dumped Manchester United 2-1 when Liverpool could only managed 0-0. The Liverpool project will take longer and there is promise in their youngsters. The latest sensation was Liverpool teenage striker who scored a hattrick against USA in the World U-17 tournament where they won 4-1 and followed up with another brilliant hattrick against tournament favourites Brazil in the semi-final where they won 3-1. His name is Rhian  Brewster. The next Kylian Mbappe? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_2SnBy6CtA (Rhian Brewster - v USA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wWIyzvDPHY (v Mexico)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfzsG5j_QOU (v USA)

Liverpool must hope that they will convert the many chances that they could create and at the other end with Mignolet and Lovren dropped, Karius and Joe Gomez and the rest will deliver. 3-1.

Watford v Stoke - When the Hornet first held Liverpool they had shown their intent. Marco Silva has proven himself of his mastery. They nearly got Chelsea's scalp last week. Stoke are in a bad situation. A 0-2 home defeat by Bournemouth is a indication of some problems with them as they seemed to have lost it. Watford will do well this season as they are playing with good confidence. 2-0.

WBA v Manchester City  - On another day the Baggies may ask some questions about their opponents including City but City are scoring freely and it will be hard to stop them. In fact, it looks like only Tottenham are the only team that could stop them. City have plenty of options and shall continue to score and dominate. They are looking like champions already and WBA won't be able to stop them. 1-3.

Bournemouth v Chelsea - The Cherries are back. They won 2-0 away to Stoke and that is not easy. They followed that up with a 3-1 win over Middlesborough in the League Cup and they needed it as they host champions Chelsea who had their own comeback too. Chelsea do not have the cockiness like last season but Morata is back and shall continue to contribute with his goals and if Eden Hazard raise his game. 1-2.

Brighton v Southampton - 3-0 win away to West Ham was a great result so Brighton should have no fear for the visiting Saints but both side are not scoring enough but they do not concede a lot either. It may be that they just cancel each other out. 1-1.

Leicester City v Everton  - Craig Shakespeare was never the man for their owners to lead Leicester. It was a convenient arrangement for the interim. They have now won twice on the trot, 2-1 away to Swansea and then in 3-1 over Leeds in the League Cup. David Unsworth, a long time Everton servant who is their youth coach has been appointed interim manager. Ronald Koeman has departed. His arrival seemed like a dream fit but he never had any real connection with the Evertonians and he once told the fans that they have to be realistic about their position in the table. His real ambition is to be eventually be Barcelona manager and may be in a bit of hurry in transition. He bought big and got some good players but not necessary the best or a good fit. Frankly, like the Titanic, Koeman should never have left Southampton. Koeman was magical with Barcelona with a ball at his feet. The results did not came and Koeman made frequent changes. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_zRwnaXaNs (Ronald Koeman)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6UYRXYc2EY (Ronald Koeman)

Everton had a dream start against Arsenal where Wayne Rooney as a 16 year old teenager announced to the world his arrival when he scored a scorcher against David Seaman and Arsenal. Watch: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4dBWUjuCU0

And he repeated it against the same team last week with a deja vu 15 years apart:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsCnDtDkJCU

While Leicester have appointed ex Southampton manager Claude Puel to be their new manager, Everton crashed yet again to a 1-2 defeat by Chelsea in the League Cup but it was a much improved performance under caretaker manager and Everton old boy David Unsworth. Both teams are facing some issues and it will take more time to change. 2-2.

Burnley v Newcastle - Both are doing well by their standards and their limitations. They should have a decent season. Turf Moor can be a tricky place and Burnley have been consistent well, defeat by City aside. Newcastle can be stubborn but Sean Dyche may come up with something more. He has been touted to be the next Everton Manager but so too was Ryan Giggs. 1-0.