The 10 reasons Man Utd should sack Mourinho debunked
Perhaps in part it is a knee-jerk response born out of the emotional gut punch that was Tuesday's game, but in many cases fans have claimed that Mourinho's errors are simply a confirmation of the fact that he doesn't have the right approach to be a successful Manchester United boss. There are plenty of charges being laid at Mourinho's door, but Goal has decided to offer some perspective to the argument. Below are some of the most prevalent reasons being given for Mourinho's sacking, along with some mitigation to explain why it might be better to hold on to him for the time being as United continue to search for a way to become a leading force once more. He was brought in for immediate success and has failed Mourinho won a league title in his second season with every single club he managed before Manchester United, and he is about to fail in his sophomore campaign at Old Trafford thanks to Manchester City
My fixtures News
2018-03-16 02:00:00
Tentative Victor Moses underperforming at Chelsea
The converted wing-back was one of the poorest performers at the Camp Nou on Wednesday, and has been for much of the season It's taken some time, but the novelty of Victor Moses at wing-back has finally worn off. There is no denying that it has been fascinating to watch an inconsistent, somewhat apathetic, injury-prone player reinvent himself as a blue collar grinder pounding up and down the wide area. That, though, is a double-edged sword. With the sense of wonder now slowly dissipating, the bare minimum, which seemed the extent of popular expectation, is no longer enough. It sufficed that, playing in an unfamiliar position, he was not a liability in any overt way. Now, with over a season under his belt, it is perhaps time to eliminate all caveats and consider his contribution on its own merits. It is in doing this that his limitations stand out unmistakably. This writer suggested that he was the most readily upgradable part of what was an efficient winning machine last season, and that it would be counterproductive to return to the Champions League without a proper specialist. Wednesday's defeat at the Camp Nou brought an end to their European adventure, and seemed to aptly sum up just how much the Nigeria international limits the Blues' attacking play. Chelsea gave as good an account of themselves as is possible, but what proved the difference between the teams was the degree of efficiency at crucial times and in vital positions...well, there was Messi too! With Eden Hazard less effectual than usual, the busy Willian seemed the chief conduit of menace for Chelsea. However, his attempts on the night to combine with and play in Moses down the right frequently led to any attacking impetus breaking down. It seemed, in fact, that the 26-year-old was never certain of what to do with the ball once he received it. Weak crosses in the general direction of the penalty area, dribble attempts lacking in any conviction or intensity, and safe passes backwards were the order of the day. It is not simply a question of form either. For much of last season, even while his conversion remained a source of wonder, there was a concern over his lack of decisive contributions, both in goals and assists. Indeed, if asked which of Moses or left wing counterpart Marcos Alonso looks like a converted forward, without prior knowledge, one would more readily select the Spaniard.
My fixtures News
2018-03-16 02:00:00
'Extreme concern' over Manchester City's discipline after latest fine
Manchester City's recent disciplinary record has caused 'extreme concern', an independent panel ruled. The Football Association has published reasons for the club's
My fixtures News
2018-03-16 02:00:00
Are Man Utd progressing under Jose Mourinho? The Soccer Saturday pundits give their verdict
As Manchester United turn their attention from a disappointing Champions League exit towards the FA Cup, we asked the Soccer Saturday pundits whether the club are progressing under manager Jose Mourinho. United failed to convert their stalemate in Seville into qualification as they suffered a shock 2-1 loss in the second leg, meaning a top-four finish and the FA Cup are now their only remaining targets this season. Mourinho brought the club back into Europe's top-tier tournament by winning the Europa League last season, while also capturing the EFL Cup in his first campaign in charge. However, with the club breaking the then world-record fee to recruit Paul Pogba for
My fixtures News
2018-03-16 02:00:00
Arsene Wenger wants to entice Arsenal fans back to the Emirates
Arsene Wenger wants his Arsenal side to put in better performances to entice disgruntled fans back to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have seen attendances dwindle and rows of empty seats at recent home matches following a string of damaging defeats. Arsenal only give their official attendance in terms of tickets sold, not taking into account the actual number of supporters who make it through the turnstiles. The lowest attendance record has been broken twice this campaign, against Doncaster in the Carabao Cup and BATE Borisov in the Europa League group stages. But big matches have also seen sparse crowds, with Wenger blaming widespread freezing temperatures for the low turnout in the recent 3-0 Premier League defeat to Manchester City. There were a similar number of empty seats for Sunday's win over Watford and it remains to be seen how many supporters turn up for the second leg of Arsenal's last-16 Europa League clash with AC Milan on Thursday. "I don't know the explanations," Wenger said when asked about fans opting to stay at home. "I feel that for 22 years I have played in front of sold-out stadiums and I am grateful...you don't expect me to say I don't want them to come back
My fixtures News
2018-03-15 02:00:00
Manuel Lanzini is confident West Ham will avoid relegation
Manuel Lanzini says he is confident West Ham will turn things around and avoid relegation from the Premier League The Hammers were beaten 4-1 by Swansea on Saturday, a result that leaves them in danger just three points above the Premier League relegation zone. Lanzini, who recently returned from a hamstring inju "It always takes time to come back from an injury but I'm doing my best to get back to 100 per cent now. "The team didn't perform as well as they could and it is never nice to lose in a match, we're sad when we lose a match but we are really trying to turn things around and we believe we can." West Ham face Burnley on Saturday, and have a three-week break before returning to face Southampton on March 31 at the London Stadium. He said: "It's great to be at home playing at our ground where we get great support and we'll work really, really hard to give our supporters something to cheer about. "We need to win all of our games and we need to look forward and be positive. "Every game is important to us and we're not really looking any further than this game [against Burnley]. "We've worked really hard this week and whatever happens after that we'll have to see then. "I have full confidence we are going to be able to do that. We have a great group of players, a great team and good people too and we believe we can do that. "I think we'll stay up. That's all I am focusing on at the moment and I believe we will stay up. What happens in my personal future is something else but it's not something I'm thinking of." ry, says the West Ham players are working hard to rectify the situation but must win all their remaining games to stay up.
My fixtures News
2018-03-09 02:00:00
Rangers face huge pressure in Old Firm derby, says Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers believes "there's huge pressure on Rangers" in Sunday's meeting of the two teams. Rodgers' side, who have a game in hand, lead the Scottish Premiership with a six-point advantage over Rangers. And after Sunday's league match the Old Firm rivals will meet again in April's Scottish Cup semi-final. "It will be a tough game for us at Ibrox, of course, but we'll get ready," Rodgers said on Celtic's website. "We've got a lot of work to do and we'll need to perform better and more consistently in that game, but we've gone there three times before and performed very well. "There's huge pressure on Rangers in the game but we'll have a good working week and go into that game and work as well as we can." Rangers not getting carried away - Bates 'If Rangers win they're title contenders' Collum appointed ref for Old Firm game Since taking charge of Celtic in the summer of 2016, Rodgers has faced Rangers eight times - winning six games and drawing twice. The Ibrox side have won their past six games in all competitions and drew 0-0 at Celtic Park in December. "We'll work some elements of where we can hurt them and prepare really well for that and go there with confidence," added Rodgers. "They've got a bit more spirit, from what I see, and they've probably found a consistency, but they've played without pressure for most of my time up here so they'll feel this little bit of pressure in the game because it's a game they have to win. "We want to win it, of course, the same as every game we play, and especially against our rivals."
My fixtures News
2018-03-09 02:00:00
Riyad Mahrez: Leicester winger says team-mates stood by him
Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez says his team-mates have stood by him since his failed move to Manchester City. The 27-year-old missed training after the January transfer collapsed, but is back in the fold and his late equaliser rescued a point against Bournemouth in the Foxes' last game. Mahrez admitted to "regrets" over the saga but said he now wants to put it behind him. "It was a difficult situation. Now it's the past, it's behind," he said. The Algeria international, who has played in Leicester's past four games, told Sky Sports he was grateful for how his team-mates reacted to his return. "I was away from here because I needed some time to think," he said. "You'll always have regrets but at that time I thought it was the best thing to do. "I spoke with the players, I spoke with the manager, I spoke with everyone. Everyone was OK, was good. "I've always been in contact with the club. The club handled it very well." Mahrez was reportedly the subject of four January bids by Pep Guardiola's side, who have a 16-point lead at the top of the Premier League. He said he was focused on Leicester now, but open-minded about his future at the end of the season. "In football players come, players leave, I'm not saying I'm coming or going," he added. "We always talk between me and the club, everything is good, so we will see in the summer if things come. At the moment I'm a Leicester player." Leicester City report record profits Mahrez criticises untrue assumptions Foxes manager Claude Puel says the speculation around Mahrez's proposed transfer did have a negative impact on his squad, particularly during their defeat at Everton on transfer deadline day. "The first game against Everton, it was a strange atmosphere around the team. It was a difficult moment. We lost a good feeling about this game and there were mistakes." he said during his news conference before Saturday's league match at West Brom (15:00 GMT kick-off). "We will see with Riyad. He is with Leicester, he is finding a good level. After, we will see in the summer." On Wednesday, Leicester were forced to deny Mahrez had retired after hackers posted a message announcing he was quitting football on his Facebook page. Mahrez said: "I wasn't bothered. It won't affect me, so I don't know why they try to do that. I think everyone knew it had been hacked."
My fixtures News
2018-03-09 02:00:00
Dejan Lovren: Liverpool defender eyes long-term partnership with Virgil van Dijk
Dejan Lovren believes he can become Virgil van Dijk's long-term partner in Liverpool's central defence after overcoming an "horrific" attempted burglary and struggles on the pitch. Death threats were made to his family on social media following poor displays - he was substituted after 31 minutes in October's 4-1 defeat at Tottenham. "People look at football and don't look what is going on around the life," the Croatia international said. "I think I responded quite well." The following month burglars targeted his home when Lovren, 28, was on Champions League duty against Maribor and his wife and two children were inside the house. "It was horrific," he said, adding it had an impact on his game. "It is not easy because we are also humans and everyone has problems. "Some people can understand that, some people not, but in these difficult situations I saw the support from some really good people." The
My fixtures News
2018-03-09 02:00:00
Hibernian vs Heart of Midlothian
Hibernian remain without Brandon Barker, Vykintas Slivka, Ross Laidlaw and David Gray against Hearts in Friday's Edinburgh derby. Hearts have injury doubts over Christophe Berra and John Souttar, and David Milinkovic is likely to miss out. Demetri Mitchell, Arnaud Djoum, Jamie Brandon, Rory Currie and Malaury Martin are all long-term absentees for the visitors. Fourth-placed Hibs are nine points and two places above their city rivals.