Tyne and Wear bosses value in PL sack race as pressure mounts on Rodgers
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Liverpool are winless in four matches, drawing two and losing just as many, meaning it’s more than a month now since their last victory, so Coral make Brendan Rodgers their 6/4 favourite to be next Premier League manager to go.
Once again the Reds’ American investors have backed their boss in the transfer window, but more dropped domestic points at home to Norwich City and in their Europa League group opener at Bordeaux last midweek has increased the pressure on Rodgers.
While all may not be well at Anfield, it’s in the Northeast where straits are much more dire with Tyne and Wear neighbours Newcastle United and Sunderland propping up the table on two points apiece.
At 2/1 to be the next to leave his post, Black Cats boss Dick Advocaat could be a smart punt. His Sunderland side look totally imbalanced; top-heavy in midfield and attack, with injury-prone centre halves and full backs that aren’t providing cover for a goalkeeper, in Costel Pantilimon, who cannot get close to low shots near his rangy body.
Poor recruitment has long been a gripe with Mackems supporters, and Advocaat’s predecessor Gus Poyet was certainly outspoken when it came to the subject. Sunderland could thus pay the ultimate price for not attracting players of suitable calibre, and are already firm odds-on 2/7 favourites for relegation.
Magpies manager Steve McClaren is also seeing the spotlight intensify upon him with his team also yet to earn a Premier League win. At 8/1 to go next, Newcastle simply have to improve, especially after controversial owner Mike Ashley invested relatively quite a lot this summer.
A dismal defence has not really been addressed by buying unproven centre back Chancel Mbemba, while in midfield more dynamism is required from reigning Dutch footballer of the year Georginio Wijnaldum and French creator Florian Thauvin.
McClaren has lost jobs at Nottingham Forest and Derby County after failing to deliver, and a change of scene from the East Midlands to Tyneside looks increasingly like ending in familiar fashion.
