Scudetto After Scudetto After Scudetto

Another Serie A and another title for Juventus. It sounds like a broken record, but it was not that long ago that the most supported club in Italy was in turmoil. Their 32^nd Scudetto was confirmed on Monday after their nearest rival, Napoli, lost to Roma. Juve had already celebrated like they had won the title on Sunday in an away win over Fiorentina but it was confirmed on Monday.

This title was something extra special in the way it was won. Not only is it the 5^th consecutive title for the Bianconeri, but it was a comeback. On the 28^th of October Juventus sat 12^th eleven points off the leaders, and with calls for Massimiliano Allegri’s head. The board was stoic though and Juve went on a run of twenty-four wins in twenty-five games. They have clinched the title with three games to spare. Gigi Buffon who has won seven Scudetto’s with Juventus (and two that have been stripped) said that because of the way it was done this was the best yet. “This is the best Scudetto ever because it has come from an incredible demonstration of strength. It’s a victory for a granite, cohesive group.”. Juventus have experienced a meteoric rise since 2006.

The Premier League Review

As sides manage a fixture pile-up with the FA Cup returning and the Premier League coming thick and fast, we were treated to a full midweek fixture list.  There was drama, shocks and some cracking goals, luckily Sam Tonks can review it all.

As the Premier League season enters its second half, a title race is starting to take shape, a huddle is building around the race for Europe and a falling pack is forming in the fight for survival.  Arsenal went into match-day 21 two points clear of Leicester City with Manchester City a further point behind.  Spurs lurk six points off the top and could be dark horses in this title tussle.  It’s impossible to tell who will come out victorious in May but it’s sure to go down to the wire.  Arsenal have that fragility to crumble in a race as seen in previous seasons, but this year they look better equipped, better mentally and have the best in chance to end a 12-year drought.  Leicester are defying the odds continuously and now must be considered in the discussion not just for Europe but the title, they are now feared opposition.  City have been well below par.  Missing Vincent Kompany has been a blow but their stars haven’t delivered consistently this season and they falter away from home too often, yet their squad is the best which means you can’t rule them out.  As for Spurs, they have a young and dynamic side spearheaded by one of the best in the country, Harry Kane.  However, their reliance on Kane could cost them as expectations may overwhelm a team with a lack of experience in a title race, but a top four spot is definitely achievable.  How would they all fair in the latest twist in the title picture?

The Premier League Review

It’s a new year, but the Premier League is still the same unpredictable, entertaining division it’s always been, Sam Tonks reviews the first weekend of 2016 and names his team of the season so far.

In football there’s a term for a game where both sides simply have to win, a ‘six pointer’.  As Sunderland faced Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light, this was certainly under that category.  Villa had amassed a measly eight points from 18 games whilst Sunderland were going into it on the back of five straight losses.  Both had changed managers during this campaign but nothing has changed.  Big Sam’s honeymoon Derby victory feels a long time ago and the mood is murky over the Mackems again.  As for Villa, Remi Garde is winless and the team looks defeated with half the season left.  As one of the Premier League originals, it is a shame to see a club with the stature and fan-base that Villa holds in the sorry state it is now.  Randy Lerner has wanted to sell for a while and fans are growing increasingly irate and the limited spending or appalling choice of signings that come in when money is eventually spent.  Promising French players aren’t the answer to survival in the Premier League and reinforcements are needed.  The same goes for Sunderland, but being in touching distance with safety is pivotal for both, the loser on Saturday was surely doomed.

The Best of Social: Week 2

Ollie Turner and Rob Clark have embarked upon a new social media based sports series. Here, we will be highlighting the top picks of social entertainment from across the sporting world.

This week’s The Best of Social features a youthful tweet from Spurs youngster, Dele Alli, as well as an impressive memory of the late Jonah Lomu. The Sport Space extends our regret over the loss of such a sporting great.

The Best of Social: Week 1

Ollie Turner and Rob Clark embark upon a new social media based sports series. Here, we will be highlighting the top picks of social entertainment from across the sporting world.

Welcome to another new series at The Sport Space: The Best of Social. This week’s article features a picture from Canadian tennis starlet Genie Bouchard, as well as a snake-themed tifo aimed at ex-Aston Villa captain Fabian Delph.

Put The Axe Down: Stop Sacking Managers

With cycling off the TV, Mike Franchetti asks why managers are no longer given time.

Snapshot of August 2001. Premier League managers include Gerrard Houllier, Graeme Souness, Steve McClaren and Bobby Robson, all part way through managerial reigns of four years or longer. We can add to these Alan Curbishley (Charlton, eleventh year of fifteen), Sam Allardyce (Bolton, fifth year of eight) and Peter Reid (Sunderland, sixth year of seven) plus two who need no introduction- Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson. Even Chelsea, who were one of the first to look for managers across the seas and are now synonymous with manager sackings, gave Claudio Ranieri four seasons in charge. A collection of managers starting a season together will never again have the time to develop such definitive eras as those listed above.

Manchester United May Have Hit Its Stride

Manchester United have certainly been a team full of surprises in recent times, but are Louis van Gaal’s side now showing the signs of a title-winning team? Brian Martinez investigates.

Manchester United opened the month of October with an absolute dud, falling to Arsenal by a score of 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in London. All three of the Gunners’ goals came in the opening 20 minutes in that contest, and BBC’s match report went so far as to suggest part of the problem was Man Utd. boss Louis van Gaal’s inability to get his squad selection right. Despite spending over £250 million in his brief stint as boss at Old Trafford, Van Gaal still has glaring holes in his lineup.

The Premier League Review

Two managers sacked, one on the verge of meltdown and another still in the job after 19 years, the Premier League never fails to create stories as Sam Tonks reviews.

As the weekend action drew to a close, both Dick Advocaat and Brendan Rodgers paid the penalty for poor starts with their P45. Advocaat had been hinting for the last few weeks that he would step down if Sunderland were interested in a replacement. The normally fiery and passionate Dutchman looked a deflated man as he watched his side go week after week without winning in the league and put in dire performances along the way.

The José Horror Show

The Sport Space editor, Ollie Turner, returns to authorship with a discussion of football’s current hot topic – José Mourinho and Chelsea Football Club.

Love him or hate him, Mourinho is a stand-out character in the Premier League. But has the Portuguese manager lost touch with reality? Chelsea’s start to this year’s campaign has been fledgling at best, despite The Special One holding onto a highly experienced, title-winning side. It has been a calamitous season so far, with Mourinho at the centre of attention.

Sunderland vs Norwich City Reaction

Adam Ward, of Adam Ward Talks Blog, discusses a wonderful victory for Norwich, at the expense of some horrific Sunderland defending.