MICAH’S MOMENTS Alexander-Arnold’s positional switch is a masterstroke, Chelsea are frustrating me

Bournemouth are all but safe and all the credit goes to Gary O’Neil. What an excellent job he has done and this is proof of what young English managers can do if given time and patience and not saddled with immediate expectations.

Where Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard were expected to achieve immediate results due to their reputations, O’Neil – who himself had an excellent playing career – has been able to do his thing. The challenges he had after his first assignment were negotiated without fuss.

He has made some excellent decisions, such as naming Neto his captain in February. I played with the Brazilian at Fiorentina and his character is excellent, someone you can only respect and admire. He is multilingual and the type who unites a dressing room.

However, O’Neil has taken the lead. His tactics were perfect and the atmosphere he has created in the Vitality Stadium that makes everyone think they can stay is amazing.

Next year will be more difficult again, but this experience will serve him best.

Swansong of Souness

The end of an era at Sky Sports on Sunday as my fellow columnist Graeme Souness covered his last game on the network. I would like to take this opportunity to both express my deepest respect for him and also to thank him for the way he has helped me along.

Graeme is impeccable in every way. When he walks into a room, he exudes this aura and everyone gravitates towards him. His dress sense is impeccable, his diet impeccable. He turns 70 next week and he looks better than men 20 years younger.

I wasn’t old enough to appreciate Graeme as a player, but I’ve been in the privileged position over the years to spend a lot of time in his company and every minute with him was cherished. I will miss working with him, but I have not lost a friend.

Be the boss

Usually at this time of the season we start talking about who will be crowned the outstanding player. This year it’s easy: look no further than Erling Haaland with 50 goals. However, what I think this campaign should be remembered for is the rise of the manager.

Eddie Howe, Unai Emery, Roberto De Zerbi, Marco Silva, Erik ten Hag and Mikel Arteta were the driving forces behind their clubs and did an excellent job.

I’ve mentioned six names there without even referring to Treble chasing Pep Guardiola. That shows how good the bosses have been.

From the Trent-ches

Trent Alexander Arnold’s move to a new position coincided with Liverpool taking 13 points from their last 15 and providing a slew of assists.

The change of tactics has meant Liverpool have been open at times, but it’s something Jurgen Klopp will be working on this summer. It could prove to be an inspired decision for this team.

Never too big to go down

When Aston Villa were relegated in 2016 there was so much talk throughout the season about how it could never happen to us because of the size of the club. I see the same kind of story around Everton now and I’m really worried.

This game with Leicester on Monday night is monumental and I can’t believe Everton could step out of the Premier League with that amazing new stadium being built. They will have such a tough challenge at Leicester, which looks reborn.

It’s time Chelsea stopped complaining

Chelsea’s situation is really starting to frustrate me. I heard so many complaints about the manager, about the owner, about the lack of a striker. Enough!

Sometimes as a player it’s about personal pride and making things right yourself. They have an excellent chance to answer their criticism at Arsenal tomorrow.

If I was in that group right now I would be desperate for the next game to put things right. I hope they all feel the same.