In his latest column, Sky Sports’ Paul Merson gives his thoughts on some of the Premier League’s less fortunate managers, including Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior.
The Blues have lost four consecutive games in all competitions since Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Everton, leaving Chelsea six points behind the top four and one point behind Liverpool, with a chasing group emerging behind them.
Meanwhile, it was another difficult weekend for Tottenham’s Igor Tudor. They lost 3-0 to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League table.
This means Spurs have dropped to 17th place and could be in the relegation zone by the time of their next game away to Sunderland, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports on April 12.
And Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is facing further scrutiny following last Sunday’s derby defeat to Sunderland following their Champions League exit.
Read below for the Magic Man’s thoughts on Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle’s underdog managers…
‘Chelsea players don’t have the same understanding as Rosenior’
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Free to watch: Highlights of the Premier League match between Everton and Chelsea
It’s been a bad month for Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior. They were now beaten in four games. They can’t win a single game.
There are ways to lose football matches, and the game at Everton was terrible, terrible. It didn’t seem like the players were really on the same page as the coach.
If Arn Slott were sacked at Liverpool this week, or if Eddie Howe left Newcastle, would Strasbourg manager Liam Rosenior take either of those two jobs?
For that matter, will he even get an interview? That’s madness.
This Chelsea team is not well-received by the fans, who have been putting pressure on Rosenior since day one.
But the board will think that no matter what their plans are, Rosenior needs to be in the top five for them to be happy.
“It’s a real worry for Tottenham.”
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Watch for free: Premier League match highlights between Spurs and Nottingham Forest
I was at Wembley on Sunday for the Carabao Cup final and watched the Spurs game there. Oh, oh.
Tottenham were initially in the lead and a goal would have given them the win. But they didn’t, and they did what they’ve become famous for this season. They forgave one person and surrendered.
Spurs’ relegation seems more believable today than ever. Last week they got a result against Liverpool, they had a bad day, but then they won against Atletico Madrid.
You’re suddenly thinking, “If they play like this, they’ll be fine and there’s no chance of losing.” But fast forward to next Sunday and here’s what happens. oh.
That’s a real worry for Tottenham. I’m really worried. And if they drop into the bottom three, which is a possibility by the next game, it will be difficult for them.
They will next travel to Sunderland, where they will be reunited with their fans after their derby win. Then there’s Brighton. They’re playing like any other player right now.
Spurs have two games left to play away to Chelsea, but they don’t want to go into games where they need points. Because it’s Chelsea’s biggest game of the season.
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Nottingham Forest further heightened Tottenham Hotspur’s relegation fears with a thumping 3-0 win in north London
And watch the West Ham game. They have the Wolves at home, but that’s nothing special. In between Palace and Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League, they will also face Crystal Palace, so they will have to back West Ham to win that.
They then play Leeds at home on the final day of the season. Maybe he couldn’t write it?
‘Howe should not be under pressure at Newcastle’
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Free to watch: Premier League highlights between Newcastle and Sunderland
It makes me laugh to hear Eddie Howe being under pressure at Newcastle. Last season he brought that club a trophy for the first time since I was born.
What did the club spend at the counter? Newcastle lost Alexander Isak and brought in two incomparable centre-forwards.
At that time, I couldn’t get Yoan Wissa’s autograph. He only had one or two good seasons at Brentford. If you’re going to pay someone that kind of money, that player needs to do it on a more consistent basis.
They too have been injured. They have the best midfield three of Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali. How many times have they played together?
