Good Week
Harry Redknapp
Rarely can emotions have fluctuated so quickly between despair, relief, and excitement. On Wednesday morning, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was looking at criminal conviction. By the evening he was the bookies favourite to fill the vacated England managers job.
The week started with the conclusion of the trial into tax evasion which eventually went into its 13th day. At times it had been light-hearted, at others it was deeply emotional.
The dust had barely settled by the time Fabio Capello had left FA headquarters having handed in his resignation. In the end it was the John Terry captaincy row that broke the camel’s back, but judging by press and supporter reaction since, any excuse would have done.
As speculation mounted on the Italian’s successor, Redknapp readied his side for their match against Newcastle in the Premier League. Two goals in the first 10 minutes set up a majestic 5-0 win, including two goals for new signing Louis Saha. It seems Harry has something of the Midas touch.
Wayne Rooney
Once a Blue, always a Blue. Well, maybe not in terms of club affiliation, but when it comes to hating Liverpool, Wayne Rooney could have no better past or present. The Manchester United talisman struck twice against his biggest rivals to fire Sir Alex Ferguson’s team to a 2-1 win. No doubt that result put a smile on the face of the Everton fans who used to adore him.
Gus Poyet
Another late goal, another three points for Brighton and Hove Albion. Unbeaten in nine matches since the turn of the year, the Seagulls have made their way up to eighth in the Championship, just two points off the play-offs. They also have an FA Cup fifth round tie with Liverpool to look forward to on Saturday.
Bad Week
Luis Suarez and Kenny Dalglish
Saturday was always going to be a volatile day at Old Trafford. The first meeting between Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra since the race row of 2011 was being played down by both camps, but before kick off the row had ignited yet again.
The reputation of Luis Suarez was hardly soaring as it was, but following his refusal to shake the hand of Evra in the pre-match pleasantries, it dipped even lower.
Kenny Dalglish has been dragged down by the whole sorry affair. From epitomizing everything that Liverpool stood for in a positive sense, Dalgish has now become the Anfield apologist, seemingly condoning racism and defending his striker throughout it all.
Saturday’s refusal to admit seeing the ‘non-shake’ plunged Dalglish further into the viewing publics disdain, and although both the manager and the player have now issued apologies for their behaviour on Saturday, the damage in the eyes of many will already done. Hopefully now everyone, including the protagonists, can move on. After all, it has marred what was an enthralling game.
Mick McCarthy
Not strictly last week, but his sacking this morning was the direct result of last week’s result. Mick McCarthy’s Wolves had only one win in nine outings before yesterday when they welcomed Black Country rivals West Brom to Molineux. Two hours later, following a 5-1 mauling which could have been worse, the writing was on the wall for the former Republic of Ireland manager.
Andre Villas-Boas
His boss had been on the training ground overseeing his work all week, so last thing Andre Villas-Boas would have wanted was a poor performance and a defeat at Goodison Park. Unfortunately, David Moyes and Everton didn’t feel like playing ball and outplayed Chelsea for the majority of the game. Villas-Boas has a defender who can’t defend, a striker who can’t score and a boss who is set to appear on the training ground again this week. All is not well at the Bridge.
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