Too young too soon?

Andrea Stramaccioni, a 36-year-old Italian, was not known by many Inter fans before his appointment by Massimo Moratti as the new Nerazzurri manager. The decision came as a surprise. After several high profile managers like Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez, Leonardo and Claudio Ranieri, Moratti turned his attention to his youth team coach. Stramaccioni, who had his professional football career cut short by serious knee injury when he was 19, was successful as a youth team coach, bringing his Primavera players to victory in NextGen Series less than one week ago. Interestingly, he beat Ajax youth team, known for constantly producing new talents, in the final of the tournament.

AVB too young to manage Chelsea

This appointment will inevitable draw comparison with the another appointment (and sacking) in another elite club in England, of Andrea Villas Boas. Known as the youngest manager in Premier League and the most expensive manager ever, AVB was sacked after just nine months he was brought in with much enthusiasm. He won four trophies with Porto including an UEFA Cup title before being signed by Abramovich for £13.3 million. He was certainly the most promising young manager back then. But after he was sacked, no one knows whether he will continue to coach at another club of similar stature as Chelsea after this. No doubt, as a young manager, you will lose confidence when being sacked after just nine months in charge.

One of the notable mistakes made by AVB during his tenure at Stamford Bridge could be dropping Frank Lampard. Unless you are an extablished manager like Ferguson who has the ability to control the dressing room and is more favourable to the fans than the owners, don't bench any club icon, especially Frank Lampard. Maybe if he was more experienced he won't make the same mistake, even when Lampard is not in top form. His predecessor Ancelotti didn't bench Lampard. Perhaps experience cost AVB the job.

If he stayed at Porto for a few more seasons to gain more experience, he could perhaps do better when it comes to managing elite clubs like Chelsea.

Stramaccioni another 'Special One'?

Unlike AVB, Stramaccioni is lesser-known, and had no experience of managing a senior team. His success will depend on his ability to steady the ship now. With 41 points, Inter are 10 points behind Lazio which sit in third and final spot of Champions League berth next season. Everything is still possible with nine matches to go - although chances are little. For a 36-year-old rookie manager with no senior team experience, he seemed to be rushed into the illustrious position too soon, although he could be a competitive candidate for the job in the future. 

If he can stay in the position after this season, Stramaccioni will need to radically reorganize the club.

Wesley Sneijder was constantly linked to a move to England. While he has won everything in Italy, his desire to try new challenges in Premier League is beyond doubt. Likewise, many Inter star players were not performing up to teir standrds anymore following the departure of Mourinho.

With a team full of senior players like Zanetti, Cambiasso, Lucio and Maicon who had won everything they could under Jose Mourinho, the 36-year-old is inexperience and will have a tough job in managing the veterans in the ailing team, whose eagerness for more trophies are in doubt.

Liverpool are now 13 points adrift off the fourth spot

So Liverpool lost another game, second in a row against a team that was second from bottom in the league. Many fans would have expected Liverpool to come out on top in this encounter after being humiliated by the comeback win of QPR in midweek. Nonetheless, the fans were left dissapointed again.

So, what went wrong? First, Liverpool miss Glen Johnson who is still out injured sorely. John Flanagan was great, making some inch-perfect tackles. Martin Kelly was great as well this season. But Glen Johnson has vast experience, attacking talents and ability to both assist and score from the right side of the pitch, which both the youngsters still lack.

On the opposite side, Luis Enrique was not pressuring enough to provide attacking options for Liverpool on the left wing. He started to push forward more in the dying minutes of the match but that was clearly not enough. Perhaps he was too exhausted as he didn't get enough rest after playing most of the matches for Liverpool this season.

Even after Liverpool were left trailing by Caldwell's goal in the second half, the whole team were still playing passively, showing little signs of determination to grab all three points at home.

Liverpool seemed to be lacking creativity as well. Gerrard played deep for most of the match, but didn't create much chances from there. His best contribution was his assist for Suarez high up the pitch. Jonjo Shelvey's diagonal through ball from deep in the 89th minute that set up Carroll's header and Suarez's chance was the kind of pass Liverpool needed when playing both of them up front.

Luis Suarez was perhaps the best player on the pitch for the hosts. He was always running and causing problems for the visitors. Early in the second half, he exchanged passes with Gerrard to slot home an equalising goal.

Talk-Football prediction

This week's Premier League matches will feature fourth and fifth placed Tottenham and Chelsea that go head to head while Man City will face a tricky trip to Britannia Stadium, losing which may further increase Man United's gap at the top of the table.

Chelsea 2-1 Tottenham

Chelsea will be hoping that Branislav Ivanovic will revover in time to face Spurs in the early kick-off. Jose Bosingwa is always a threat up front, but he lacks defensive prowess. With Gareth Bale playing on the left, Ivanovic would be a better answer on the ring back.
Despite playing one of his best games of the season in the comeback against Napoli, Frank Lampard showed lack of speed at the age of 34 on Wednesday night, being outpaced by Samir Nasri who surged past him to snatch the winning goal.
But, Blues will be playing at Stamford Bridge against Redknapp's side which had only gained one point from last four league matches. Roberto di Matteo on the other hand has guided his team to victories in every matches he took in charge so far before the lost at Etihad Stadium. Looking at the recent form, my bet would be on the home team.

Liverpool 2-0 Wigan

Liverpool fans were left stunned after Jackie Mackie scored the winner in stoppage time at Loftus Road. Kenny Dalglish will surely want to win the points back at Anfield. But this will be a tricky encounter. Liverpool have drawn eight matches at home this season, more than any other team in the league. Fighting a relegation threatened team at this stage of the season will never be easy, as shown by the spirit of QPR in midweek. As usual, Reds will be relying on skipper Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez for some brilliant performance to prevent further halt on their dream to pursue the top four finish.

Stoke City 1-1 Manchester City

Manchester City were not a serious threat away from home so far this season. Fans are excited by the prospect of Carlos Tevez. But he may not get the nod to be in the starting line-up. Stoke City are always hard to beat at home, especially against stellar oppositions. Expect to see Man City lay siege to the retreated Stoke defensive line for a long period. Good news for Mancini as Vincent Kompany is expected to be fit to feature in this trip.

How to decide who to take free-kick?

Here is an interesting way to decide free-kick taker, demonstrated in a Bundesliga match. Kroos and Ribery decided to play 'rock-paper-scissors', where the winner will take the free-kick. Despite being  accused by the opponent's manager of showing lack of respect, this way to decide free-kick taker will surely become a hit among youngsters playing in the park when having the same dispute.