Liverpool go clear on top and Wayne Rooney gets the boot – Football Weekly
Jan 3, 2024
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Football Weekly podcast discusses Liverpool's dominance in the Premier League and potential flaws in their gameplay. They also delve into Wayne Rooney's sacking as Birmingham City manager, analyze the Premier League title race, and provide insights on the current standings and contenders in League One.
The race for the League One title is highly unpredictable with Portsmouth, Bolton, Peterborough, and Derby all contending and any of these teams could come out on top.
Peterborough, under the management of Darren Ferguson, have built an attacking unit full of young talents and are one of the most exciting teams to watch, showcasing Ferguson's ability to improve young players and create an ultra-attacking winning machine.
Football in the EFL is evolving, with career coaches gaining more influence, favoring those with coaching expertise like Kieran McKenna and Leah Manning over former players like Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard.
Deep dives
League One Title Race
The race for the League One title is highly unpredictable, with Portsmouth, Bolton, Peterborough, and Derby all in contention. Portsmouth have made a lot of chances and have quality in their team. Bolton, with a game in hand, have been on a good run of fixtures and have a chance to go top. Peterborough, led by manager Darren Ferguson, have built an attacking unit full of young talent and have been impressive. Derby, under Paul Warne, have shown strength and are a former team in the league. It's a tight race, and any of these teams could come out on top.
Peterborough's Impressive Form
Peterborough, under the management of Darren Ferguson, have built an attacking unit full of young talents, such as Kwame Poku and Ephraim Mason Clark. They have shown an excellent playing style and are one of the most exciting teams to watch. Ferguson deserves credit for his ability to improve young players and create an ultra-attacking winning machine. They recently beat Derby in a thrilling game, showcasing their quality. If a top-end Championship club is looking for a manager to elevate their team with technical players, Ferguson would be a strong choice.
Tight Midfield Battle
The midfield in League One is highly competitive, with clubs like Lincoln having the potential to make the playoffs or face relegation. The league remains tight, and any team can go on a good run or drop points suddenly. The bigger clubs tend to rise to the top, while the clubs coming up from League Two often struggle. However, the league is still unpredictable, and there is a lot at stake for all the teams involved.
The Rise of Career Coaches in Football
The podcast discusses how football is evolving, particularly in the EFL, where career coaches are becoming increasingly influential. These coaches have dedicated their craft to coaching rather than playing and have gained over a decade of experience in the field. This trend favors coaches like Kieran McKenna and Leah Manning, who have already shown their expertise and have a head start over former players like Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard. The discussion highlights the shifting dynamics in football and the growing importance of coaching in the modern game.
Leicester City's Dominance in the Championship
Leicester City is showing outstanding form in the championship, sitting 10 points clear at the top of the table. They have only lost five games all season and their squad depth and quality players give them an advantage over their opponents. Despite facing some easier fixtures recently, their performance has been impressive. With players like Tom Cannon, James Justin, and Jamie Vardy adding to their squad's strength, it is highly likely that Leicester will secure promotion to the Premier League. Their dominance is making it difficult for other teams like Ipswich, Southampton, and Leeds to catch up and challenge for the top spot.
Max Rushden is joined by Nick Ames, George Elek and Sanny Rudravajhala as Liverpool move three points clear at the top of the Premier League, while Birmingham end Wayne Rooney’s tenure after just 83 days. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod
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