Three Managers Looking For A Strong End In the Premier League's Final Weeks
Image Credit: Ronnie Macdonald
With only six more gameweeks to go until the end of the 2023/24 season, no team is locked from dropping or gaining positions, even the likes of Sheffield United could mathematically stay up with some miracles. Predicting matchday results has been harder than ever this season with many upsets and thrashings popping up every week. This article will look into the 3 managers who will feel the pressure of gaining the most points from these last games as they search for safety, European football and even lifting the Premier League title.
Sean Dyche- Everton
Everton have been the victims of the FA tightening their grip on FFP this season with two separate point deductions hindering their league campaign by -8 points. Without the loss of points due to these financial problems, Everton would be comfortably in 14th place with minimal threat of relegation going into these final weeks instead of looming in the dangers of relegation at 16th. Dyche is a highly rated manager by many fans from his time at Burnley and his old school style of football that helped them achieve the heights of European Football and Everton fans are contemptuous with the job that he’s done so far. However, with Everton holding an impressive record of never being relegated from the top division, Dyche has a massive task of keeping morale high within the team. Key fixtures left for Dyche include battles with relegation candidates; Nottingham Forest, Luton and Sheffield United, in which fans will be expecting 3 points from these must win games.
Ange Postecoglou- Tottenham
Ange-ball has taken the league by storm this season with fans of the sport interested in his high line defence and attacking inverted wing backs that have provided great success for the Spurs side. After losing Harry Kane, Postecoglou had his work cut out for him in crafting a new look Spurs side without their top scorer, which he has been able to achieve with new signings such as James Maddison, Timo Werner and wingbacks Destiny Udogie and Pedro Porro. Kane’s right-hand man, Heung Min Son has also been pushed by Ange to lead the line and transform into a bagsman. The goal for Postecoglou and Spurs for these last few weeks is simple: Finish in 4th. Tottenham are almost guaranteed to finish in the top 5 but the 4th position would guarantee Champions League football in Ange’s debut season, an achievement that would prove his status as a top manager that can compete in the top leagues. After missing out on European Football completely last season and with position challengers Aston Villa still in the Conference League, Ange-ball looks strong to secure that 4th place and keep developing into title contenders in the near future.
Mikel Arteta- Arsenal
Last season was one of joy and heartbreak for Arsenal fans and for Mikel Arteta who looked in pole position to finally take the clutches of his mentor, Pep Guardiola and Man City’s reign at the top. After a loss in the Quarter Finals of the Europa League, Arsenal's form hit rock bottom in the months of April and May, handing the league back to Man City and leaving Arsenal fans thinking what could have been. However, they once again lead the way in the title race being level on points with Liverpool and 1 point ahead of defending champions Man City with all 3 teams needing maximum points from their remaining 7 games. Excellent recruitment in Declan Rice and £65 million signing Kai Havertz, who is looking like a genius signing after his recent form, has allowed Arsenal to strengthen an already title challenging team. The pressure is on Mikel Arteta who looks to bring Arsenal their first league title since their infamous Invincible season and add to his FA Cup triumph in his debut season with the Gunners. A champions league run is also still on for Arteta and Arsenal and with Liverpool and Man City also in the latter stages of European competitions, it's all to play for back in England. All eyes will be on Arteta and his players to see if he can stick it out until the end and not fall short like the 2022/23 season.
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