Ahead of every weekend this season I will give you my three thoughts on what’s going on in the Premier League. These might not always be the biggest stories, but rather my personal observations as the games approach each Saturday.
Here’s what makes me somewhat intrigued ahead of the FA Cup Fourth Round.
Yeovil Town hits the big time
When the draw was made for the fourth round of the FA Cup, I have to admit I took pause at the Yeovil Town vs Manchester United fixture. Nine years ago, my broadcasting sidekick Brian Budd sadly passed away. For those who knew Budgie, and those of you that may have remembered him from our Sportsworld segments, he was larger than life, a massive character whose passion and love for the game often landed him in trouble with our viewers, not to mention certain governing bodies.
Whenever Budgie was drawn to a topic that required him to compare a team to another team of less glamour, size or power, he would always throw out the name Yeovil Town. It was never his intention to belittle or bash Yeovil Town – in fact he had great affinity for the club.
I don’t know the reasons, but knowing Budgie there was probably a brilliant story as to why he had such a soft spot for Yeovil, a story that probably involved one drink too many one fateful night, while socializing with a cast of characters. I miss Budgie, but I am very happy to see his Yeovil Town in the big leagues if, for only one round of FA Cup matches.
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Yeovil Town pokes fun at itself
As for their opponents, Manchester United have included new signing Alexis Sanchez in its matchday squad. It’s not exactly the type of debut he was hoping to make for his new club, and Yeovil Town have jumped on this with some wonderful, self-deprecating brilliance.
This is one of my favourite Tweets of all time. Let’s be honest: We’ve all been in this kind of locker room at some point, right?
You said you've joined "the biggest club in the world" @Alexis_Sanchez so it's only right you start your #MUFC career in the biggest away dressing room in @SkyBetLeagueTwo*.
*maybe #YTFC #Alexis7 pic.twitter.com/BVFt0A06Xk
— Yeovil Town FC (@YTFC) January 22, 2018
The Rafa Benitez derby
Chelsea meets Newcastle United on Sunday, otherwise known around the world (or at least in this humble broadcaster’s head) as the Rafa Benitez derby – the Magpies boss will face off once again against the club who reviled him. Such is football, and all its oddities.
When Benitez first went to Chelsea, he arrived with a fantastic resume of La Liga glory, as well as a Champions League trophy with Liverpool. Unfortunately, due to a vicious rivalry with the Blues when he was in charge at Liverpool, he was never fully accepted by the fan base. He was a brilliant and respected manager around the world, but it was as if Chelsea didn’t know what it had, even though he led the team to a Europa League.
Now, five years on, the Spaniard finds himself at a club where ownership don’t fully realize what it has. Newcastle are in a dreadful rut, and with the collapse of its recent takeover bid, it seems only a matter of time before Benitez leaves for another club. He will be out of work for as long he wants, as any team worth a grain of respectability will jump at the chance of hiring him.
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