Newcastle United
Losing to Manchester City and Chelsea was acceptable because of the start they made, expecially given that a draw with Manchester United was the meat in that particular sandwich. And in any case, the club had games against Norwich, Swansea and West Brom to redress the balance.
But Newcastle have slumped, taking just one point from these games. The defence looks shaky once more, understandable once James Perch slots in the middle with the injury to Steven Taylor.
The Geordies need a response to the slump, and take on a Bolton side that are still in the bottom three despite their win at Blackburn. Bolton, lest we forget, have the worst home record in England this season.
Last season Newcastle got smashed 5-1 at the Reebok. A response to that would be nice.
West London
It’s all very well refusing to delay a match because of a tube strike, but with Chelsea hosting near neighbours Fulham on Boxing Day, the taxis and buses of West London might be a touch busy, especially given this country’s horrible obsession with Boxing Day sales.
Aston Villa
The performance was improved on Wednesday night, but the result was the same as the debacle against Liverpool last Sunday. And one thing remained: Villa can still not defend set pieces, with almost half their goals resulting from the inability to defend their own box in a situation for which they should be both prepared and organised.
A nice trip to Stoke City should test exactly how much work has been done on the training ground.
Blackburn
There is almost no point including the pantomime club of the Premier League.
Defeat against Bolton confirmed that the crisis club had taken just three points from the four games Steve Kean earmarked beforehand as winnable. And still he keeps his job.
Let’s say that Blackburn will lose to Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea away from home. That leaves just 15 games remaining in which to take thirty points in order to reach the magic forty. Simply put, that’s top four form to just survive.
To be on just ten points despite having played none of the top six away from home is scandalous. Blackburn are doomed.
Liverpool
A week in which a great old club revealed an underbelly of naivety and stupidity. To back a player in most circumstances is admirable, but to have done so through warm-up t-shirts when already found guilty is a few steps too far.
Did it take their eyes off the prize of three points at the DW? One thing is for sure, Liverpool are already playing catch up in the race for Champions League football.
What does the fan of every club want for Christmas? Blackburn at home the next day.
