Weekly Opinions - 8th October 2018

Since arriving on these shores in 2004, Jose Mourinho has never been far from a newspaper headline. The 'Special One' has a tendency to remove football from its game-like status and attach a showbiz like drama to the sport, with player fall outs a seemingly annual event. Magical Mourinho moments, such as running over to his Inter support at the Camp Nou on his way to more Champions League success, has seemingly been replaced by a forlorn figure who seems to anger half the players under his tutelage. The likes of Pogba, Martial and Shaw are recent figures who have reportedly succumbed to the Mourinho wrath and begs the question as to how likeable he really is. Furthermore, the frequent beration of any referee that has stepped foot in England, removes the charismatic and energetic persona previously associated with Jose. Obviously, being popular is no requirement of a successful manager, just ask Pep, but his negative approach has evidently transferred onto his players this season. If social media is lead to be believed, it looks like Zinedine Zidane is on his way to the red side of Manchester and while such an appointment could inspire possible short term success, the club is in desperate need of overhaul from top to bottom. Ed Woodward's position must be deemed untenable after failures in repeated transfer windows, with the clubs recent recruitment issues at centre back surely the straw that broke the camel's back.

On a more positive note, a short travel down the M62, will find you at a club that really has landed on its feet this season. Klopp seems to have found a formula that could seriously breed success at a club that has been starved of such since the mid 2000's. Victories against Spurs and PSG were games that Liverpool may have faded away in, in seasons gone by. The clubs away record against the surrounding top six last season was appalling, with only a 3-3 draw mustering any points amongst the five games. These are the matches the German may be targeting to bring the coveted prize back to Anfield this year, with a win and a draw already suggesting that this season may be one to remember. Salah's form may be of concern though to the Kop faithful, with whispers of that famous 'one season wonder' tag floating around forum boards and certain sections of twitter already at this premature stage of the season. The level of quality he exhibited last year, leads me to suggest that this will not be the case as the season progresses, however chances such as the early ones against Chelsea must be converted to ensure that there will be Scousers singing the loudest come May.
At the other end of the table, the bottom three are currently comprised of clubs that really would not look out of place starting in the Championship next season. Neil Warnock's Cardiff have been yet to show signs of the quality that is required to survive at this level, with the loose Yorkshire grip on the Premier League possibly fading with the potential demise of Huddersfield. I don't think Premier League fans would be too upset to see either team go, however the season is still incredibly young especially considering that at this point last season, Crystal Palace still hadn't found the net and eventually fought their way to a comfortable 11th place. Newcastle is a club that would be sorely missed in the top flight if they were to depart, with the North East a place totally consumed by the sport we all love. With Newcastle the only representation from this part of the world in the biggest league in the world, it only worsens the sadness attached to the Mike Ashley situation at the club. The #IfRafaGoesWeGo movement is an example of the pain felt at the club, with an empty St James' a sight surely no football fan would want to see.