LAURA WOODS: SPURS NEED TO SACK TUDOR
HOW GOOD IS MAX DOWMAN?
Max Dowman! Ahh I love him!
I get that we shouldn’t hype him up too much because he’s only 16, but if he’s old enough to go on a football pitch and do that in a Premier League game, we should be allowed to appreciate him.
I just love his fearlessness. He could be the jewel in the crown for Arsenal for years to come, so we’ve got to be excited about him.
I think they will deploy him correctly though. And by that I mean – appearances off the bench. That’s the smart way at the moment.
He can change games off the game bench at this stage of his career, so he doesn’t need to start. Arsenal have ample talent on that side of the pitch, they don’t need to risk him. The way to use him is as a bright spark, off the bench, breathing life into stale games or games where a breakthrough is needed.
He creates, he scores, he is direct and he’s incredibly exciting. He has no fear at the business end of a season where Arsenal are fighting on four fronts – that’s invaluable.
THE FIGHT TO STAY IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE
I think Wolves and Burnley are cut adrift and while their form has picked up a touch, I expect both to be playing in the Championship next season.
I fancy Nottingham Forest to survive. They have goalscorers in that team and those can be invaluable in the relegation battle. They do have a really tough run-in, though, and face Tottenham this weekend which could prove absolutely crucial.
Speaking of Spurs, they have three six-pointers to go in Forest, Wolves and Leeds, so their fate is very much in their hands.
If they hadn’t nicked a point off Liverpool the other day I’d say they were nailed on to go down, but they showed a bit of fight.
For me it depends on whether or not they change the manager. They feel headless to me at the moment under Igor Tudor. If they get someone in that can just tighten everything up and breathe a bit of confidence into the team then they will have enough.
If they stick with him for too much longer, I think they’ll go down.
Tottenham to be relegated is 2/1 with BetMGM
MY TOP-FIVE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE
- 1. Arsenal – I won’t be counting any chickens just yet, but I’m pretty hopeful Arsenal will win the title now. The latest round of results have really cemented their position as the overwhelming favourites.
- 2. Manchester City – When they’re on form they are a match for anyone but they have struggled for consistency. I think they might have left themselves too much to do in the title race.
- 3. Manchester United – What a job Michael Carrick is doing! United are one of the in-form sides in the league at the moment and I expect them to be back in the Champions League next season.
- 4. Liverpool – There’s a lot of pressure on Arne Slot but I do think Liverpool will have enough to finish fourth. They’ve got too many good players and will figure it out – they showed that against Galatasaray on Wednesday evening.
- 5. Aston Villa – I know they’ve been on a bad recent run but I fancy Villa for the final Champions League spot. They had such a good start to the season and it would be a real shame if they missed out. I think they’ll just prove a little more consistent than Chelsea.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
