Chelsea owner continued his hire and fire policy and chose to sack the only man that has been able to bring him European success. Chelsea had a strong start to the season and are one of the favourites for the league title but struggles in this seasons Champions League have seen Di Matteo lose his job. Just two weeks before Chelsea are to go to the World Club Championships they have opted to take that opportunity away from him and handed control of the team to Rafael Benitez. From Sunday's meeting with Man City it's clear Benitez has not changed his mentality and the question has to be asked: Why choose Benitez when you are obsessed with playing attractive football? Benitez will set out his team not to lose rather than try to win. It will be interesting to watch Benitez lead Chelsea for the remainder of the season. He had some success at Liverpool with a weaker squad and now that he has a strong squad how far can he lead them? My guess is not very far. Let's not forget he couldn't lead Inter Milan to the Italian title when it seemed all but certain.
QPR have got rid of Mark Hughes after failing to win any of there games to date. Hughes was the hero last season when they survived the drop on the final day of the season in what is now the forgotten outcome of that thrilling game with Man City. In his place comes the experienced Harry Redknapp.This is an appointment I really like and I think will work well for both manager and club. It's unlikely that Rangers will survive but if anyone can lead them to safety, Harry can. I actually fancy QPR to stay up this season, despite the poor start. However, that can only happen if they get very busy in January. Tony Fernandes has the money to spend and Harry Redknapp is a man to invest in. Time and time again he has taken over teams and instantly improved them. If he is able to bring in the players he wants in the transfer market then I think they will be a different side come February. They may be favourites for the drop but my money is on Harry turning it around.
Now let's talk about managers who are only a few months in the job. Paul Lambert is struggling in charge of Aston Villa and isn't helped by the criticism he is receiving for leaving out Darren Bent but I have some sympathy for him on that one. Christian Benteke and Gabby Agbonlahor have been outstanding this season and I wouldn't drop them either. I think Villa are in real trouble this season but if they stick with the young players they are using then in the next few season this team will develop into a strong unit. The near future may be bleak but I won't be too hard on Lambert, I think he will bring this team to life, eventually.
Liverpool appointed Brendan Rodgers in the Summer and although it's only been a short time he isn't sending out a message that Liverpool are going to become a threat to the title anytime soon. At times they have played some really nice football and I've been really impressed but overall there is a major, major problem at Anfield: they are over-dependent on Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan has been good this season but what happens when he hits a slump? I don't know where the goals are going to come from. Liverpool need a top class finishing striker to take the pressure away from Suarez and soon. If anything happens him then they may struggle to make the top ten. The fact that Rodgers said 7th would be a good finish isn't a positive remark and I would hope they get busy in January to get themselves back among the elite of the Premier League.
Swansea haven't hit the heights of last season yet but they still lie comfortably in the table. Michael Laudrup has done a good job so far but the problem they face is teams are no longer struggling with facing them. Teams are coming prepared for the passing game and they need to provide a second style to their game to make themselves more of a threat. I don't see them going down and if they can rediscover some winning home form they could break the top ten.
I like what Andre Villas-Boas has done with Tottenham so far. I think he is a top manager and if Daniel Levy continues to back him with funds then I think he can be a long term success at White Hart Line. They have been patchy at times bu have shown some incredible play in bursts in games. If they can challenge for Champions League places this season then it will be a success for them this season. Next season they will look to challenge for the title.
An early Manager of the Year candidate comes from an unexpected source. Steve Clarke has been sensational at West Brom this season. They are lying third in the table and have just won four straight games in the top flight for the first time. The thing to admire about the Baggies is that there are no superstars at the club. Everybody is working hard for each other and they are getting results from that. Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie have caused problems for everyone when they play together. Their pace is forcing teams to refrain from playing a high line because they simply can't keep up with these two. Add to that the powerful Romelu Lukaku and they have a formidable attack. Their midfield all put in a good shift and have enough creation to provide for the strikers. Their defence is very steady and aren't leaking goals like many would have expected. How long can they keep this up? It's hard to say but I don't see them hitting as big a slump as Newcastle did mid-season last year. A top seven finish is very possible and would be a huge success.
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