Premier League football is never boring and certainly throws up its fair share of surprises. One such surprise came to fruition on Monday night and saw one team go from outstanding to awful in the space of a week. Meanwhile, one ‘expert’ made some outrageous claims on Sky Sports and one defender put through his own net. Here’s the shortlist for Wally of the Week.
3. Watford
After refusing £10m in compensation for the services of Marco Silva earlier in the season, Watford have now sacked the promising coach with his former side sitting in the top half of the Premier League. On paper it’s a ludicrous decision – Watford couldn’t possibly have expected more could they? But, with 1 win in his last 11 games, it looks like they’re trying to arrest a possible slump that could’ve ended in relegation. There certainly won’t be a lack of possible suitors for the Portuguese who has built a solid reputation in England having almost saved Hull from relegation last season and doing a good job with Watford this campaign. One of Silva’s signings, Richarlison, vented his frustration at the decision with the dreaded angry-faced emoji tweet. That frowning smiley was enough to tell us that things are not well in the Watford dressing room. I’m sure the calm, measured figure of Troy Deeney as captain can help turn things around.
2. Neil Custis
You may not have heard this name before but this journalist appeared of Sky Sports’ Sunday Supplement show that sees a group of ‘experts’ discussing current matters in football. This week saw Custis make some rather outlandish comments about two Premier League strikers. After the news broke that Andy Carroll would face a spell on the sidelines with yet another injury, Custis decided to defend the West Ham striker and his ability but I think it’s fair to say he might have gone a bit too far. ‘Andy Carroll without injury would be Harry Kane’ were his exact words after Custis raved about what he’d seen of Carroll at the start of his career at Newcastle. Since Harry Kane’s first Premier League goal in April 2014, Carroll has scored just 23 goals for West Ham – Kane is one off 100. I’m sure Neil Custis is a well-respected journalist but does deserve everything that comes his way after that comment.
1. Liverpool
Last week, after beating ‘invincible’ Manchester City, Liverpool were destined for great things. They were going to challenge for the league next season, they were going to attract the biggest names and they were going to keep their best players. What a difference a week can make. On Monday night, an Alfie Mawson goal was enough to beat the Reds as they were defeated 1-0 at Swansea – the team rooted to the bottom of the Premier League. To make matters worse, Liverpool had 21 attempts to Swansea’s 4 and spent almost the entirety of the match deep into Swansea’s half trying to find a breakthrough. If only they had a creative player who could unlock defences with ease – maybe a Brazilian? Anyway, Jurgen Klopp lost it with a Swansea fan behind the dugout after he wouldn’t stop shouting at the Liverpool manager, who had to do some explaining in his press conference after the game. It could’ve been very different if Roberto Firmino’s header hadn’t crashed off the post in the final minute when it looked harder to miss. I’m afraid there isn’t literally a Wally of the Week trophy for you Liverpool fans but a metaphorical one will do, until you win the league next year?