Bradley takes it to 22 in the Premier League
It had to happen sooner or later and we’ve finally had the first managerial change in the Premier League with American Bob Bradley (pictured) replacing Francesco Guidolin as manager of Swansea City.
The Premier League have confirmed that Bradley, the first American to manager a side, takes the total number of nationalities to 22. It’s taken me a while, but if you want to test your friends then I believe that list is Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Israel, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA and Wales.
The speculation has been mounting for weeks and in his pre-match press conference it seemed the only question Guidolin was being asked was whether he would keep his job or not if they lost to Liverpool. He seemed to be bewildered by the whole thing but they did lose to Liverpool, after leading 1-0, and he has lost his job.
Ryan Giggs had been the clear favourite and Steve Bruce’s name was also in the hat, but the new American owners have opted for an American. Bradley, aged 58 from New Jersey, came to prominence when he took charge of his country from 2006 and 2011. He’s since worked outside of America and he was working in France with Le Havre where he’s been since November of last year.
The reaction from supporters in South Wales hasn’t been positive regarding the change. It seemed they wanted Giggs although there is absolutely no evidence to suggest he would be a good manager.
Swansea are currently fourth from bottom of the league having won only once all season, that on the opening day of the season at the Turf. West Ham are below them on goal difference while Stoke and Sunderland occupy the bottom two places with three and two points respectively, against the five won by Swansea and West Ham.
All three in the relegation positions earned a point over the weekend, Stoke’s probably the most creditable as they came from behind to draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. All three of them were 1-1 with the other two both having to come from behind in home games.
West Ham’s goal was scored by Diego Payet, his first of the season. I think I’ve seen it enough times now to know it was a good goal but they’ve certainly gone over the top with it. Meanwhile, the problems continue at the new stadium with fighting between supporters both inside and outside the ground. Three have been arrested after the clashes outside the stadium with West Ham once again claiming to have a zero tolerance policy. Are they that naive to believe the problems didn’t exist at the Boleyn Ground?
Six of the ten games ended in draws, Arsenal and Liverpool both won by one goal which leaves Chelsea and Tottenham as the biggest winners over the weekend. Both recorded 2-0 wins, Chelsea at Hull and Tottenham at home to Manchester City as Pep Guardiola saw his team drop points for the first time this season.
I didn’t see this game but from all accounts Spurs were by far the better side and it has taken them to within one point of the top. It would be nice if the table stayed as it is for the rest of the season with both Manchester United and Chelsea out of the Champions League positions and Burnley out of the bottom three by a few places.
The reality is we now have the second international break of the season before we go to Southampton in just under two weeks time.
The Premier League’s leading goalscorers along with each club’s red and yellow card count and average attendances can be found in Goalscorers-Discipline-Attendances which is in Season Stats on the top menu.
Game Week Eight Fixtures
Saturday 15th October
Chelsea v Leicester (12:30 p.m. kick off)
Arsenal v Swansea
Bournemouth v Hull
Manchester City v Everton
Stoke v Sunderland
West Brom v Tottenham
Crystal Palace v West Ham (5:30 p.m. kick off)
Sunday 16th October
Middlesbrough v Watford (1:30 p.m. kick off)
Southampton v Burnley (4 p.m. kick off)
Monday 17th October
Liverpool v Manchester United (8 p.m. kick off)
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