Is the pressure getting to Arsenal?
Arsenal have gone back to back games without winning for the first time this season after a defeat at Everton and a draw against Brentford in their last two league games. This might be seen as a blip in some peoples eyes but with Man City now just three points behind them; Is the pressure getting to Arsenal?
February in the past has been the month where Arsenal have blown their chances of winning the league and their last two results suggest that it could be happening again. They weren't at their best in both games and both performances may suggest that the pressure is getting to them like it had done in the past.
Arsenal have been a team who struggle to perform when the pressure is on them in the past whether they're either fighting to finish in the top four or fighting to win the title. Their mentality and character has been much stronger this season than it has been in recent seasons but their failure to perform under pressure may still exist following their recent results and performances.
They have a huge game coming against Man City on Wednesday which they need to win to give themselves some breathing space at the top. If they lose that game and fail to win the next or two after that, the pressure could well be getting to Arsenal.
Should referees go to the screen to check for offside?
Two VAR decisions were under the spotlight this weekend in Brentford's goal against Arsenal and Brighton's disallowed goal against Crystal Palace. A Brentford player appeared to be in an offside position in the lead up to their equaliser and Pervis Estupinan was seen in an onside position with Marc Guehi playing him on. With VAR apparently getting both decisions wrong; Is it time for the referees to go to the pitch side monitor to check for offside.
The referee is informed of a possible offside by the people operating VAR who end up making the decision for him. Some of the offside decisions VAR make are right. But at the same time some of them are wrong. The referee can't change their mind as he has to trust their decision and award the offside.
When the referee has missed a possible foul or handball during the game, he is informed by VAR to check the pitch side monitor before making a decision himself. He's more in control for these decisions than he is for offsides as VAR allow him to make the decision himself.
The two offside incidents at the weekend may prompt Howard Webb who is the new head PGMOL to allow the referees to check an offside at the pitch side monitor instead of relying on VAR to make the decision for him. The on pitch referee is one in charge of the game and the one who makes the final decision. If we see more controversial decisions like the ones we saw at the weekend, Webb may consider VAR telling the referee to check the pitch side monitor like he does for possible fouls and handballs.
Nathan Jones was never the right man for Southampton
Nathan Jones was sacked by Southampton a day after their 2-1 defeat to Wolves leaving them four points adrift at the foot of the table. It was a decision that was coming considering what he's said in the media and looking back at his time at the club he was never the right man for them.
I wasn't convinced about him becoming Southampton manager in the first place as he had no experience of managing at Premier League level and the last time he landed a top job he failed. This came when he was at Stoke where he lasted just 10 months.
It was a big risk for Southampton to appoint him based on this and especially as they were already in a relegation battle the moment he arrived. They arguably should've gone with someone who was more proven at this level and had a track record of keeping sides in the Premier League.
They never improved under his management as they had no identity in the way they played and the old problems they had under the previous manager were still there. They continued to struggle scoring goals hey also struggled to keep goals out and despite making some additions in January, those problems were never addressed.
What he said after the defeat to Brentford may have played a part in the club making the decision to remove him as his comments were not well received with the fans and the club. But with Southampton's performances being as poor as they have been under his management, you have to say that he was never the right man for them in the first place.
Comments