While much of the talk and column inches will be dedicated to Brendan Rodgers’s departure from Liverpool, it is easy to forget that there was another managerial casualty this weekend.
Although the writing may have been on the Anfield wall for Rodgers following a return of just three wins from 11 matches across all competitions this season, it is somewhat harder to fathom while it took Dick Advocaat eight league games to realise he had little chance of saving Sunderland from relegation for a second season.
Advocaat was the hero of Wearside after masterminding the club’s safe escape last term. Initially, the much-travelled 68-year-old Dutchman said he would not stay on at the Stadium of Light, that he would move aside after a job well done.
However, after some schmoozing from Sunderland owner Ellis Short over the summer, he was persuaded to sign a 12-month deal and promised a greater say in transfers to strengthen the squad as they looked to consolidate their place in England’s top division after flirting with relegation for the past three seasons.
Premier League team of the week: Arsenal pair and Manchester City's history-maker all feature
Poll: Who should Liverpool appoint as their new manager?
As far as U-turns go, this one went head first into oncoming traffic.
While Jeremain Lens, Yann M’Vila and Fabio Borini were brought in, and can be measured in varying degrees as upgrades on the likes of Jack Rodwell, Adam Johnson and Danny Graham, the same cannot be said for centre-backs Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Coates. The latter could not dislodge defenders of questionable calibre at Liverpool; Kaboul is irrational, undisciplined and takes too many unnecessary risks. There probably is a position on the pitch for the Frenchman, but at the heart of a fragile defence is not it.
Sunderland are second-bottom in the Premier League table and, despite a 2-2 draw at the weekend, against West Ham United at home, show few signs they have the required quality to pull clear of relegation. Already a five-point gap has opened up between them and safety and a tricky trip to West Bromwich Ablion awaits them after the international break. The club’s board will need to move quick to identify the right man to help them pull off the great escape for a fourth successive season.
Advocaat has been around long enough to spot trouble on the horizon. The only real surprise is that he waited this long to step down.
Montero a real flyer for Swansea
While Kyle Walker’s award for PFA Young Player of the Year, in 2012, raised more than a few eyebrows, edging out Sergio Aguero, one thing even his biggest critic will agree to is that the Tottenham Hotspur right-back can shift gears and match most wingers for pace, even on the turn.
Against Swansea City on Sunday though, the England defender was made to look as though he was treading through treacle as he tried to match the speed and trickery of Jefferson Montero down Swansea’s left flank.
He turned Walker inside and out, beat him on the inside and down the line, and delivered the cross for Andre Ayew to regain Swansea’s lead. A second-half centre for Bafetimbi Gomis should have resulted in the Frenchman extending it further.
Walker is not the first right-back to suffer at Montero’s feet this season. Branislav Ivanovic and Daryl Janmaat can also testify to the Ecuadorean’s electrifying pace.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @NatSportUAE
