We look ahead to this weekend's talking points, including Man Utd's return to Premier League action.
No More Slip-Ups
It has been a time of great relief for Manchester United fans. Given their early FA Cup exit and lack of UEFA Champions League assignment until next week, supporters have been able to sit back and watch as Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool have all lost since United last took to the field.
It is only a temporary respite for United, however. Painful memories of the Fulham debacle of a fortnight ago are still etched indelibly into the mind of supporters, as is the dreariness of the trip to the Emirates three days later. The break has not actually resolved any issues or answered any concerns - it is still just three victories in ten matches during 2014 (one of those ending in penalty shootout misery), and United are still 11 points from the top four.
Juan Mata hasn't given up hope of Champions League qualification, but he is amongst the final few. "This is Manchester United. When this club wins two, three or four matches in a row, it has a winner's mentality," said the January recruit. United have won just four league games in a row on one occasion this season, and that was sandwiched by three home defeats to Everton, Newcastle and Spurs.
What is certain is that United cannot afford any more slip-ups. Even a record of ten victories and two draws (four points dropped) in their final 12 fixtures would only see them equal the total that Arsenal achieved to pip Spurs by a point on the final day last season. In the corresponding fixtures against those 12 teams earlier in the season, United dropped 17 points.
After a break in Dubai, United's squad resume their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Eighteen months ago, Palace were bottom of the Championship but they have now taken more points from their last eight games than United. With 16 points in their last seven games (again, six more than United have collected) this does not represent the 'gimme' away victory that it would have done in previous seasons. David Moyes must hope that the warm weather training has breathed new life into his squad.
Watch Palace v Man Utd live on Sky Sports 1HD from 5pm on Saturday
Back to his Best
Events at White Hart Lane are confusing at the best of times. Now Tim Sherwood has really got people thinking. Maybe football management is not that complicated. It turns out that you do just have to win your own individual battles, give it 110 per cent and make certain - absolute certain - you want it more than them. Heads on and remember to just go out there and express yourself.
Actually, that last one rings a bell. "I'm giving him license to go on the pitch and express himself," said Sherwood when asked to explain the recent form of Spurs striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Whatever the motivational tools behind it, the head coach's words of wisdom are certainly having the desired effect - the turnaround in fortunes has been remarkable.
Read our in-depth analysis of Emmanuel Adebayor
Rude Awakening
It would be impossible to find managers further apart on the managerial spectrum than Martin Jol and Felix Magath, both epitomes of their lazy national stereotype. Whilst Jol was horizontally laid back whilst in charge at Craven Cottage,
