Every week, Sportsnet.ca will chat with soccer commentator James Sharman about the big stories and issues in the Premier League, and preview the weekend’s games.
What did you make of the fan trouble at last week’s Aston Villa-West Bromwich Albion FA Cup quarterfinal?
Well, it certainly wasn’t a good advertisement for English soccer, but some of the rubbish being written about how it was a return to the dark days of the sport was a bit of a stretch. Pitch invasions are never acceptable, and while I can understand the emotions of the fans, it is a no-no. The potential for something bad happening is clear to see when hundreds of fans take to the field, especially when so many of them had been boozing all day.
Fabien Delph said he was bitten by a fan, and other reports claimed that some West Brom players were roughed up. Villa needs to be fined, and warned, but that should be about it. To excuse the behavior, as some journos have done, is also unacceptable; we cannot see this again.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Crystal Palace vs Queens Park Rangers on the four main Sportsnet channels at 8:30 am ET, Leicester City vs Hull City on the four main Sportsnet channels at 11:00 am ET and Burnley vs Manchester City on Sportsnet World at 11:00 am ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Canadian defender Doneil Henry was sent on a short-term loan to Blackburn by West Ham United. How do you think he’ll do during his stint in the Championship? How will this benefit his development?
It will go one of two ways: either he will benefit from the coaching on offer and become a better player, or like many other North American players he will be found out, and see his European dream crushed at an early age. The story on Henry is straightforward and well documented: he is a very good athlete, with some natural gifts that in a perfect world can be tailored into a very effective defender.
However, his decision-making and tactical acumen has been his downfall since day one. These deficiencies can potentially get fixed with good coaching and willingness to adapt and learn, so really it is all on Henry, as he’ll get good coaching and should earn some playing time in a very competitive and physical English league.
Gianfranco Zola was fired by Serie A club Cagliari this past week. Can you see coming back to England to manage another club? If so, should he drop down a level and try his hand in the Championship?
I’m sure if Zola wants another shot at management he’ll get it, as his name has such value than any club would enjoy the PR. Question is, can he manage? Aside from one successful season at Watford, he has failed in his previous stints, and most recently managed no improvement in a very poor Cagliari team.
In his defence, he has only managed below average teams, and has not really been given long enough to turn them around. But this might be an example of a supremely gifted footballer just being unable to make the transition into coaching like so many before him. Such is football—he will keep getting opportunities, but at what point will Zola say enough is enough. After all, it’s not as if he needs the money.
Sunday programming alert: Watch Manchester United vs Tottenham on Sportsnet ONE and Sportsnet World at noon ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Manchester United hosts Tottenham on Sunday. Gary Neville wrote this past week for The Telegraph newspaper that he feels Angel Di Maria has been a shadow of his former self since joining the Red Devils. Your thoughts? Is that fair?
Prior to his move to United, Di Maria was the second best player at Real Madrid, and some would argue that he was the best player in his final year in Spain. So yes, it is absolutely fair. The reasons he has declined so rapidly are many. First and foremost Louis Van Gaal has no idea where best to play him. The Argentine has played all over the field at United, where at Real he was comfortable in a deeper role that allowed him to jump into the attack at any time.
Second, he is allowed a bit of a break as the Premier League is very different to La Liga, and many players have struggled in their first years. And third, the poor guy has endured an awful personal experience, after a near home invasion terrified his family. In fact his family have moved out of their mansion into a hotel as a result. Di Maria may be filthy rich, but he is also human, and such family stress has to be a massive distraction. Therefore, I give him a mulligan. Hopefully he stays at United and succeeds, but if not he’ll move on and become the great player he is somewhere else.
Liverpool visits Swansea City on Monday. The Reds have been on incredible run in 2015 thus far. How do you account for their brilliant form this calendar year?
The new formation Brendan Rodgers is using is a major reason. It has given the team better defensive stability and gets Emre Can on the field, and he has been a revelation even in an unnatural position as a centre back. Jordan Ibe and Lazar Markovic have also adapted superbly to a strange wing-back position.
Add in the return of Daniel Sturridge, and the team has just found its confidence. Even though Sturridge is yet to find top form, having the main man back is a major boost to the team’s psyche. Jordan Henderson has been allowed to play in a more advanced position with the injury to Steven Gerrard, and it all seems to be clicking. Oh, and Raheem Sterling is a new man since his “vacation.” All in all, a perfect storm!
Monday programming alert: Watch Swansea City vs Liverpool on Sportsnet World at 3:00 pm ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule