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.
Mario Balotelli has looked solid in his last three performances for Liverpool. Might this be the beginning of the Italian turning things around for himself at Anfield?
He was very good on Thursday off the bench in the Europa League win over Besiktas. But, and there is always a “but” with Balo, he became the story by bullying Jordan Henderson off the ball to take the penalty. He scored, but the fact remains he embarrassed Henderson (who was captain on the night), and put himself above the team. Personally, I believe he should have been given the ball anyway as few are better from 12 yards than Balo, but clubs have their rules and he broke them.
There are rumblings that all is not well between Balotelli and his teammates anyway, and given Steven Gerrard’s post-match comments that doesn’t look likely to improve. Regardless of this incident, though, Balo looks like he has his mojo back, and is even smiling, so unless “penalty-gate” explodes, this could be a very big boost for Liverpool in addition to the return of Daniel Sturridge.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Chelsea vs Burnley on the four main Sportsnet channels at 9:30 am ET, Sunderland vs West Bromwich Albion on Sportsnet ONE at 9:30 am ET, Hull City vs Queens Park Rangers on Sportsnet World at 9:30 am ET, and Manchester City vs Newcastle United on Sportsnet ONE at noon ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Andy Carroll has been ruled out for the rest of the season for West Ham United with an injury. How big of a blow is this for the Hammers?
It is a blow. Carroll had played very well for West Ham, a real force in attack. Sadly, Carroll is one of those players who just cannot stay healthy, and his injuries are rarely niggles and strains—they are always serious and result in extended time out. Simply put, he is a player you cannot rely on. It is such a shame.
If there is a bright side, you have to remember that Carroll was absent for a large part of the first half of the season when West Ham was excellent. Diafra Sakho began his West Ham career in fine form, but injuries have also caught up to him, and since Carroll returned his form has been spotty. The signing of Brazilian striker Nene is interesting, but it also seems a long shot, as he is 33 and well past his best.
West Ham is still a very good side, but flirting with Europe was always a stretch, and with Carroll out and the inconsistency of the other strikers it seems doubtful anything more than a top half finish is possible.
If you were to cast your ballot for manager of the season at this point, who whom would you vote and why?
Who else is there but Ronald Koeman? Sam Allardyce will also win some votes, but what Koeman has done with Southampton has been incredible. Many experts said Southampton would not struggle this season, but actually go down. So for us to be sitting here mid-February with the Saints very much still in the top-four equation is unbelievable.
Yes, the club’s youth policy and academy should get plaudits. But Koeman also brought in some top players from nowhere, gave added importance to club veterans, and instilled confidence in a team that had been written off.
Sunday programming alert: Watch Everton vs Leicester City on Sportsnet World at 8:30 am ET. || Sportsnet World NOW || Broadcast schedule
Newcastle United visits Manchester City on Saturday. What do you make of the Stevan Jovetic situation? Do you see the Montenegrin staying with the Blues beyond this season?
Remember when he dominated pre-season? It just hasn’t worked out for Jovetic at City, and the second Wilfried Bony arrived in January you knew his days were numbered. To be left off the Champions League squad must be galling for a player that has done so much to recover from a serious injury. The quality is there, and I’m sure he’ll succeed somewhere else, but likely it won’t be at City, and perhaps not in the Premier League.
Everton hosts Leicester City on Sunday. A year ago Roberto Martinez led Everton to a fifth-place finish. Currently, the Toffees are 12th in the table. How do you explain their drop?
Everton’s porous defence hasn’t helped, and a long injury list has hurt them, too. Keep in mind that Everton has been competing in the Europa Lague, and traditionally new teams in Europe drop some places in the table as they adapt to the new routine and heavier workload.
That being said the Toffees were great on Thursday against Young Boys, at least they were in attack with Romelu Lukaku scoring a hat trick. Everton won’t return to Europe next season, unless of course they win the Europa League, so think about that Everton fans.
Soccer Central podcast: SPORTSNET.CA’s Soccer Central podcast, hosted by John Molinaro and James Sharman, takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues. To listen and subscribe to the podcast, CLICK HERE.
