Is Sam Johnstone knocking on the door for an England call up?
Sam Johnstone looked almost unbeatable during West Brom's 1-1 draw at Man City by making lots of top saves to keep the Baggies in the game. So is he knocking on the door for an England call up? Johnstone has probably been West Brom's best player this season by keeping them in games by making lots of vital saves. He's impressed in the big games in particular against Man United and Spurs before a top display against City which is another reason why I'm asking this question. In terms of England, he's represented them at youth level meaning that he international experience which is good because with the Euro's in the summer, Gareth Southgate will like another player in his squad with international experience. I think the England jersey is up for grabs because I'm not sure who will be the keeper for Euro's. Jordan Pickford's club for for Everton has put him in the spotlight, Dean Henderson is battling it out with David De Gea at Man United and Nick Pope is not the best with his feet despite being very good with his hands. If Johnstone can continue performing like he has done this season, he's in with a chance of a call up and with doubt over the position itself, he could find himself in contention.
Should West Brom have sacked Slaven Bilic after a good performance against Man City?
West Brom put in a good display against Man City on Tuesday night and got the result they deserved in a 1-1 draw. But a draw against one of the best sides in the league was not enough to keep Slaven Bilic in a job as he was sacked a day later and replaced by Sam Allardyce. The decision to sack Slaven Bilic was a surprise because his side put in a good performance to earn themselves a point against Man City and they could've used that as something to build on going into their next game if if they didn't sack Bilic. But in the end Bilic was sacked and I can understand why because the Baggies are 19th in the Premier League, have only one win to their name and have conceded 26 goals which is more than any team in the league this season. Sacking a manager in December can be seen as the right time to sack a manager because its one month before the transfer window opens again and a new manager coming into a football club can look at the team he has at the moment and see where he can improve it and which players he may want to move on in order to keep his side in the league if they're in a relegation battle.
Can Pedro Neto step up in the absence of Raul Jimenez?
Pedro Neto has been one of Wolves' best players this season and scored a really good goal in their win over Chelsea during the week. So can he step up in the absence of talisman Raul Jimenez? I thought Wolves would struggle without their Mexican striker because of how important he is by scoring goals. The performance of Neto against Chelsea as well as his other performances got me asking if he can step up in the absence of Jimenez because of how well he's played this season. He's played every game for Wolves this season and despite being 20 years of age, is growing into a key player for them alongside Daniel Podence who has also impressed for them this season. Following the departure of Diogo Jota to Liverpool in the summer, Neto has stepped into his shoes pretty well and if he can continue to impress by scoring goals whilst Jimenez is out, he could be Wolves' main supply for goals.
Is Roberto Firmino back to his best?
Roberto Firmino hasn't had it his own way this season with not many goals being scored. But after a goal and a good displace against Spurs on Wednesday night, is he back to his best? The Brazilian took shots at goal at every opportunity whenever he was in the box against Spurs and he eventually got what his performance deserved in a goal from Andrew Robertson's corner late on. He was a threat throughout the match and after many people began doubting him after the impact Diogo Jota's made, Firmino's performance said that he's still an important player in this Liverpool team. He doesn't get the amount of goals that Aguero or Kane get a season because he does a lot of work off the ball which is a key part of how Liverpool's front three operate. Him dropping deep allows Mane and Salah to run beyond him and get the goals to win Liverpool a game. That makes Firmino an unselfish striker because of what he does off the ball and it also makes him an underrated striker as well because there are no other strikers in the Premier League like him and he hasn't always got the credit he's deserved. If Firmino can appear in the box and take shots at goal like he did against Spurs, he'll hopefully be back to the player we all know he is.
Has Theo Walcott been revitalised back at Southampton?
Theo Walcott has been given a new lease of life since he's been back at Southampton after 14 years away. He scored and impressed against former club Arsenal as the Saints drew 1-1. After his performance in that game, has been revitalised back at his old club? Walcott joined Southampton on loan from Everton where he wasn't getting a lot of game time under Carlo Ancelotti which lead to others saying that he's finished. Since he's been back at Southampton, he proven that he's got more to offer at 31 years of age by scoring two goals and showing off that burst of pace which he has always had throughout his career. He's shown that he still has years left in him and is also showing that he's still an effective player on the pitch by using his pace and creating and scoring goals. He looks like the player we saw for most of his time at Arsenal and if he can continue doing what he's been doing, the Saints may want him on a permanent transfer.
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