WHAT’S HOT WHAT’S NOT
HOT SEAN DYCHE
DEEP in the heart of Burnley’s splendid new training ground sits the first-team boot room. Three walls are a dazzle of technicolour while there is even a machine that warms the boots up before training starts. But one wall looks different. The wall that is occupied by the boots of Sean Dyche and his coaching staff represent a flashback to a different era. The boots are black. Just black. Like they used to be. We are grateful for that.
RAFA BENITEZ
AMID the difficulties of life at Newcastle, Benitez has clearly not lost his sense of humour. The BBC’s Conor McNamara prefaced his post-match interview with the Spaniard after last weekend’s win over Manchester United with the customary sound check. ‘One-two, one-two,’ he said. ‘No,’ deadpanned Benitez. ‘It was 1-0’.
SCOTT TAYLOR
THE Hull FC forward felt some ‘discomfort’ in his stomach against Wigan Warriors in Australia last weekend but played on. The next day he had his appendix out.
NOT MESUT OZIL
THE German contributed well to Arsenal’s Europa League win but was a passenger as his team were beaten by Spurs at Wembley a week ago. Never has a star player given so little in games when it mattered most. Ozil, for all his talents, would not be indulged at any other top Premier League club.
HUGO LLORIS
AMID Tottenham glory in Turin came a slight drop in standards from their goalkeeper. There have been whispers about the Frenchman’s approach to crosses this season but it was his failure to get a firmer hand to Gonzalo Higuain’s early goal for Juventus that was notable. Against Liverpool he might also have done better in dealing with Mo Salah’s late goal. At the top level, the margins are very fine.
ADIL RASHID
THE England all-rounder has been criticised for his decision to ditch red-ball cricket for Yorkshire this season and concentrate on the one-day game. It is a regrettable choice but he is unlikely to be the last to make it. Test cricket increasingly requires different skill sets to those used in ODIs and T20 so who can blame Rashid for choosing to concentrate on the things he does best?