Have Spurs blown a gasket?
The Tottenham train hasn’t quite gone off the tracks, but it’s certainly having engine trouble.
Three draws in a row in the EPL and now a poor Champions League defeat at home to Bayer Leverkusen have set alarm bells ringing and they'll struggle to qualify for the knockout stages.
However, Spurs are still unbeaten in the league, but travel to Arsenal this weekend – a real blockbuster. The absence of Harry Kane has obviously been a major loss, but he hadn’t been in great form before the knee injury.
Vertonghen in the Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen (Source: Getty)
It’s midfield where the guns need to fire, with Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen central to everything, but there has been a lack of width in recent weeks. Having the best defensive record is all well and good, but perhaps this focus on being solid at the back has come at a cost in terms of creativity.
Howe does he do it?
I’m a huge fan of Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe. His boys are currently 10th in the EPL and punching so much above their weight it’s ridiculous.
Attendances are around 11,000 for home games, so revenue is obviously limited.
He’s had serious injuries to the likes of big-money signing Tyrone Mings and key striker Callum Wilson, yet still the Cherries keep plucking away and nicking points of the supposed ‘bigger’ teams.
Eddie Howe has done wonders at Bournemouth since their promotion in the 2014/2015 season (Source: Getty)
Eddie turned 38 last week, but is one of the most mature managers in the EPL. He’s considered, articulate and in the midst of the biggest season of his career. If Bournemouth continue to impress, his stock is sure to rise.
While he has a contract for the next four years, it would be very difficult for him to see that through. It’s probably too early for England (and would he want it anyway?), but I certainly hope he takes that opportunity one day.
Who's your player of the year?
Ten games gone already and it’s flown by. What a season so far, with nothing between the teams at the top. But who are the players making their mark? And early contenders for player of the year?
Well, the best striker in the EPL is obviously Sergio Aguero. But what if Diego Costa continues his incredible goalscoring form, eight goals already. He may not have the silky skills of Aguero and is a tad temperamental, but is a talisman for the Blues. Or maybe Alexis Sanchez at Arsenal? His form has been crucial to their recent success.
Costa has his ups and downs but there's been more ups this season (Source: Getty)
If we’re looking at midfielders, Kevin De Bruyne is a bookies’ favourite, but has had injury problems, while former winner Eden Hazard is beginning to find his feet again. I would love to see a goalkeeper or defender in the running (Alderweireld, Lloris or Cech, perhaps) but a nice outsider is Jordan Henderson, if Liverpool can win the title.
Newshub.