Ah, Thursday night writing in the days leading up to the FA Cup 4th Round. It all has a bit of an international week feel about it. I mean, let’s call a spade a spade. If Robert Snodgrass being the most wanted man in England is the top story of the last 48 hours then I am pretty much wasting my time here, right?
That’s right, Robert Snodgrass is suddenly hotter property than Paul Pogba was over the summer. Having seen a proper bid be placed, West Ham have decided they want to play properly and have matched Burnley’s offer. Not to be outdone, Middlesbrough want a piece too. Considering he is left footed, I am just waiting for Sam Allardyce to get in on the action to add him to the list of Robbie Brady, Patrick Van Aarnholt and Jeffrey Schlupp in being asked to “hit Big Bente early.”
Not content with raiding Serie A for Mauro Zarate, Watford went a step further and snapped up AC Milan’s very talented front man M’Baye Niang on loan. Yes folks, we live in a world where Watford sign people from AC Milan and not after they have left Hertfordshire for a disappointing spell in black and red stripes. That’s a Luther Blissett reference there for some of our older readers. It’s incredible, as Niang had been impressing for the San Siro side and Watford are, well, Watford.
Aitor Karanka is sticking to his guns that the Boro fans need to up their game and be a bit nicer to them all out on the pitch. To be fair, he has a point. If Karanka pulls off the signing of Jese, Boro fans could see Victor Valdes pass it elegantly long to Negredo, who plays in the the former Madrid man to score. Not since the days of Emerson, Juninho and Ravanelli have the Boro fans had it so good, so maybe cheer once in a while? Otherwise I will buy you a team full of Phil Stamp’s just to make a point.
Jose Mourinho has told Anthony Martial that he has to improve if he wants to play for United. I presume Martial was one of the last people to get this pep talk after Fellaini, Rooney, Pogba, Shaw, Rashford, Rojo, Lingard and Herrera.
Finally today, not many people are talking too loudly about the fact that Liverpool have only one once in 2017 and that was against Plymouth. Imagine if it were Mourinho or Pep having such a spell? The knives would not only be out, they would be properly sharpened and ready for action. Having had a little dig at Jose and Guardiola myself from time to time, it seems only fair to remind King Kloppo that having glasses, designer stubble and saying cool a lot is all well and good when you are winning but it’s time to step up ala Conte and, to a certain extent, Jose himself and turn this form round. Or, just buy a left back and remind Coutinho that with big contracts comes a certain responsibility in the big games.
There we go, we managed to drag that out didn’t we?