Time almost up for Paul Heckingbottom at Sheffield United
5-0 defeat at relegation rivals Burnley and now bottom of the table with just 5 points. It's already looking very bleak for Sheffield United and I get the feeling that manager Paul Heckingbottom is edging towards the exit door.
The Blades were beaten by another relegation rival in Bournemouth before their humiliating loss at Burnley and were poor in that one as well. They found a bit of form before the international break but that sign of hope has quickly evaporated after these two defeats.
Paul Heckingbottom has been under pressure since his side were hammered 8-0 by Newcastle and the club have stuck by him ever since. Even when results have gone against them. The fans began to turn on him after their defeat at Burnley and with some difficult fixtures coming up, he looks likely to be the first manager to lose his job this season.
Man United's lack of tracking back a worrying sign for the big games
Man United were second best against Newcastle throughout the entire game as their energy levels were low and their work rate off the ball was poor. The wingers didn't track back when Newcastle were on the attack and is for sure a worrying sign for them. Especially when going into the big games.
They looked lethargic in the Manchester Derby at the end of October where they rarely laid a glove on City and also showed very little desire.
When playing against the likes of City, Liverpool, Arsenal and even Newcastle, you need to show that desire to track back and win the ball otherwise you're going to get outplayed. I don't see that with United because the players don't look bothered and they have no leaders who are willing to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
They face Liverpool in a few weeks and Liverpool are side who 100% track back and work hard off the ball. Unless United sort their attitude out soon, I can see them get out fought that day.
Time for Liverpool to put Alexander-Arnold in midfield
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been long tipped to play in midfield for a number of years now and it's about time that he got moved into that position. He's always had the tools to be a midfield player in that he's creative and can pick a pass from almost anywhere on the pitch. Surely he has to be used more in that position.
HIs transformation into midfield began towards the end of last season where he was used in a hybrid role which enabled him to operate as both a midfield player and a full back. He was later used in midfield for England during the post season international break and impressed instantly. I thought he was going to be used in midfield on a more regular basis this season because of that.
He was pretty much everywhere against Fulham on Sunday where he truly dominated the game. He picked out passes from almost anywhere on the pitch and was the heartbeat of the Liverpool team on the day. He played like a midfielder throughout the entire game and was moved into that position towards the end when Joe Gomez came on for Alexis Mac Allister. His overall performance both playing in his hybrid role and as a midfield player showed that he should now be moved into that position permanently.
Poor refereeing decision cost City
Man City drew a third game in a row on Sunday against Spurs where again couldn't see the game out or take the chances they had to finish the game off. But the moment that cost them was arguably the decision by referee Simon Hooper not to let play go on when City clearly had an opportunity to score.
Erling Haaland was fouled by Emerson Royal but Haaland stayed on his feet and played a pass to Jack Grealish who could've scored the winning goal. Simon Hooper originally let play go on the moment Haaland was fouled, but a few seconds later decided to blow the whistle and award City a free kick.
If a referee is willing to play the advantage after the player fouled stays on his feet and gets on with the game, he should stick with his decision to let play go on. Not blow the whistle a matter of seconds later and especially when a team has the opportunity to score.
We don't know if Jack Grealish would've scored had Simon Hooper stuck with his decision to play the advantage. But City will feel that the decision still cost them as they had a clear opportunity to score and kill the game off.
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