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.
Was Aston Villa right to fire Paul Lambert? If so, did they wait too long? Can the Villans avoid relegation?
What a disaster Villa has been. The fact is Paul Lambert inherited a troubled club, and had orders from ownership to curtail spending and right the wrongs of the Martin O’Neill era. At first his plan seemed sound—to build through youth, and field a hungry and exciting team. Somewhere along the way he changed this plan, and perhaps under pressure after year after year of decline he began bringing in veterans at cut prices. It was a recipe for disaster.
You look at Villa’s team and it doesn’t scream awful. In fact there are some real good pieces in place, but together they don’t work. You have to fire the manager in this case, and surely the new manager can find a way to score more than twelve goals? I compare this side to the Toronto Maple Leafs—uncanny similarities.
Saturday programming alert: Watch West Bromwich Albion vs West Ham United on Sportsnet World at 7:45 am ET, Blackburn vs Stoke City on Sportsnet World at 10:00 am ET, and Crystal Palace vs Liverpool on Sportsnet World at 12:30 pm ET. || Also, watch Derby County vs Reading at 10:00 am ET online at Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
What do you make of the Nigel Pearson controversy at Leicester City?
It was such a strange weekend for Leicester, aside from the whole “strangulation” narrative, which was, as Pearson said, a mountain out of a molehill. The firing or non-firing story was also odd. Gary Lineker has many contacts at the club, so when he suggests that one owner fired Pearson only for another owner from the same family to overrule the firing, I believe him. Perhaps it’s a look inside the club at that level, and the dysfunction that might threaten Leicester’s health.
Pearson is hugely popular at Leicester, and as wrote a few weeks ago it seems as if ownership is prepared to ride the wave with him no matter where it ends up. Leicester played Arsenal very well on Tuesday despite the loss, so he seems to have the players on side.
Harry Kane is on fire for Tottenham. Is he the next Alan Shearer? Or do we have to wait a little longer before determining that?
We need to wait a bit longer, don’t we? Kane is in extraordinary form at the moment, and is one of the top scorers in all of Europe this season. However, a few months ago we were lauding Saido Berahino, and last year it was Andros Townsend, so let’s all just relax.
That being said, the comparisons to Shearer are clear—Kane is a big strong forward, who lacks great pace, and isn’t going to wow anyone with his tricks. However like Shearer, Kane is also a very intelligent footballer, with great confidence around the box. I also like that he is showing leadership skills. Hugo Lloris allowed him to give the pre-match speech on the field, and reportedly ever since he has taken on a more vocal role. Not bad for a 21 year old. I like what I see in Kane, but it’s far too early to compare him to one of the all time Premier League greats in Shearer.
Sunday programming alert: Watch Aston Villa vs Leicester City on Sportsnet World at 7:30 am ET, and Arsenal vs Middlesbrough on Sportsnet World at 11:00 am ET. || Also, watch Bradford City vs Sunderland at 9:30 am ET online at Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Should Louis van Gaal have responded to Sam Allardyce’s “Long-Ball United” remark the way that he did?
It was comical. Paul Scholes nailed it when he said that with respect to West Ham, why would you even react to their manager’s words? Van Gaal is beginning to come across as being incredibly petty, and a man who just isn’t adapting to life in the Premier League. Whenever he opens his mouth, I cringe as there’s a good chance he’ll contradict himself.
I still think LVG is a great manager, and will eventually get United turned around. But for now, please shut up.
Which of this weekend’s FA Cup matches catches your eye?
Aitor Karanka! Who is he you ask? He is Middlesbrough’s manager, the same ‘boro that beat Manchester City last round, and currently has his side tops in the Championship, and looking a good bet for promotion. Karanka made his way through the Real Madrid set-up before joining Middlesbrough in 2013, and might be one of those young managers on the brink of stardom.
Monday programming alert: Watch Preston North End vs Manchester United on Sportsnet World at 2:45 pm ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
