Memo to Sunderland fans. Of course it was fixed.
Of course it was a fix. And if it had been the other way round I’d have been furious as well. But it’s time to let it go now.
For the benefit of people who have no idea what I’m referring to let me explain.
We’ve got to go back to 1977. Yes. 1977. Sunderland, Coventry and Bristol City are all fighting for their lives in the old Division One. Sunderland were at Everton, on the same night we played Bristol City. If Sunderland lost, a draw would save both Coventry and Bristol City. These were the days when the season dribbled to a conclusion. Not every team played at the same time.
Sunderland did lose. Coventry and Bristol City finished 2-2. I would add that we’d led 2-0 at one stage, but I’m clutching at straws. Sunderland went down.
On the face of it, those are the facts. Except they’re not. You’ve got to factor in the back story.
Coventry’s chairman was Jimmy Hill. Jim, of course, had once managed Coventry. His old assistant, Alan Dicks, was now Bristol City boss. And his assistant was John Sillett, one of Jim’s first big signings when he got the job at Coventry. Sillett was later to deliver Coventry’s famous Cup win of 1987, but I digress.
I’m pretty sure both matches were scheduled 7.30 kick-offs. This is significant because Coventry’s match was delayed 15 minutes - on Police advice.
I wasn’t there so I’ve no idea what it was like outside Highfield Road, but the delay was on safety grounds. At least that’s what an FA inquiry later found when it cleared Hill and Coventry of any wrong doing. What were they thinking? How couldn’t they see it? Or perhaps they did. Jimmy had friends everywhere.
It wasn’t the delay that was the issue, but the fact it allowed Coventry and Bristol City to stop playing after Hill performed a ‘public service’ act and announced the score from Goodison 15 minutes before the end of our game.
I say ‘what were the FA thinking?’ because it didn’t need Colombo (a popular tv detective at the time) to work it out Of course it was fixed. How can I be sure? Let me tell you that as well.
Some time later - 1992/3 it must’ve been, I was hosting a talk show for Sky Sports called The Footballers’ Football Show. The modern day equivalent is The Overlap. Trust me, there are no new ideas in TV. They all come round again.
Anyway, I digress again. We were in front of an audience at Coventry. One of our four guests was Terry Yorath, who was our captain on the night in question. I loved Terry. He was the reason I got his daughter Gabby her job at Sky.
Terry told the story of the night in question - including a tale about a sub Bristol City put on. The kid apparently hadn’t been briefed, so went on, dribbled past half a dozen Coventry statues and smashed the ball against the bar. Yorath said everybody turned to the Bristol City bench, in blind panic, asking what the hell was going on? Oh how we laughed.
Except it wasn’t a laughing matter for Sunderland fans. Oh, I’ve got to add that I was with Graham Kelly a few weeks later. He was FA Secretary then and he set up the inquiry. He pulled me and said ‘I saw your programme. I was going to re-open the inquiry after hearing what I did, but I decided it was better to let the matter rest’. Phew.
Hill saw it as well. He called me to express his surprise - and annoyance- we’d even discussed it. If I remember correctly he wanted an apology as well. There was no chance of that. What had been said was true.
I can feel Sunderland fans coming to the boil at this point. Especially because it sort of happened again in 1997 when we went to Spurs and won to stay up. This one started 15 minutes late as well because of crowd issues, but I promise you this one was legit.
On this occasion I was in a Sky Sports studio watching. It was two from three on this occasion. Middlesboro could only draw at Leeds whilst Reidy’s Sunderland lost at Wimbledon. They both went down.
I was the only person involved
who saw the last 15 minutes at Spurs. They battered us. Steve Ogrizovic had a worldly and kept them at bay. They were desperate to beat us, perhaps remembering 1987?
The match was coming into the Sky building, but we couldn’t put it to air because we’d covered our allotted amount of games for that season. There was me, trying to conduct a sensible conversation with our studio guests, whilst glued to what was happening at White Hart Lane. We should’ve put it to air and argued about it with the PL later. Everyone was desperate to see it.
There was no skull-duggery this time though.
So let’s go back to the original reason why this animosity exists between Sunderland and Coventry - and why I’ve chosen to revisit this now.
As I said - it’s time to let it go. First - It isn’t the only game that’s ever been fixed. It happens every week somewhere in the world nowadays. Even WC matches have been fixed. Not that that’s an excuse for what happened at Coventry.
Second - Sunderland had their revenge beating us in the play-off semi-finals last season. We were better in the two games, but we lost. I think it’s fair to say Sheff Utd were better in the final, but they lost. So top marks to Sunderland. They earned the right to play PL football this season.
And I’m absolutely delighted to see them doing so well right now. They were fantastic at Chelsea and they sit fourth on merit. Keep it going guys.
Having said that, I feel as though I can point out the winner at Chelsea could easily have been disallowed. Geertruida was clearly offside and in the keeper’s line of sight, but Sanchez failed to make anything of it, so Talbi’s goal was given.
And Isidor’s equaliser should’ve been disallowed. Mukiele’s long throw was illegal. His back foot was off the ground when he released the ball. But who would expect the assistant, who was six metres away to spot that? Anyway - well played Sunderland. You made the most of it again.
Nothing was made of Sunderland’s winner, but Stuart Attwell (VAR) took it upon himself to disallow Everton’s equaliser v Spurs, for much the same reason I’m arguing Sunderland’s first was a little fortune The decision changed the whole game. It was a ridiculous call. Craig Pawson was weak and should’ve ignored Attwell, who’s trying like a bear to impress enough people to get a WC call up.
The Brentford pen was another daft call. Leave it. Don’t get involved. And how Antony Taylor and Michael Oliver decided United shouldn’t have had a pen when Amad was brought down is staggering. The fact the ball brushed off a defender’s heel is irrelevant. The foul had been committed. Taylor and Oliver are supposed to be our two tops refs. Well - they consider themselves to be. I’m still counting Howard.
Truce Sunderland? And please back off Jason McAteer. He didn’t mean any harm. He loved his time at Sunderland.
Arne Lost? And well played Harry.
As regulars know I love to start on a positive note if I can. And this week I can.
I was delighted for Harry Maguire Sunday. He’s just a good, solid bloke. He deserved his winner and the joy that followed it.
Maguire has endured some torrid times in recent seasons - from the indignation of being stripped of the captaincy at United to struggling to even get a game.
What you see is what you get with him. He’s dependable. And a true leader. Granted, he isn’t fancy. He’s not a new-age defender or a ball playing centre-back like Ferdinand. He’s just ‘Harry’. He sticks his head on a ball and there isn’t a trick in his locker. As he’s shown time and again, he’s also a real threat in the opponents box.
Never once has he complained about the way he’s been treated by both ten Hag and Amorim or the stick he’s had to endure. Top man Harry. Enjoy your week.
If I’m a Liverpool fan I’m a bit worried right now. Arne Slot looks more like his internet caricature Arne Lost at the moment. Andy has been saying for a few weeks on BeINSPORTS he doesn’t think Lost knows his best team and I agree.
Lost was smart enough to leave things well alone after succeeding Klopp, but this is his group now. It’s his system. They’re his players after a massive summer spend. It his self-inflicted problem.
But it isn’t just about the new players he’s got - he’s playing a very different system and I don’t think Salah likes it. If you lose him you’re in trouble. Klopp did once or twice, but quickly got him back onside. Lost is clearly pissing him off right now.
Speaking of Klopp - think back to how long it took him to actually have an influence at the club - and I mean a real influence. He worked for the power he achieved over all areas. I’m wondering if Michael Edwards has given Lost too much too soon after last seasons Klopp inspired title success?
Back to the United game - of course it should’ve been stopped immediately Mac Allister was clattered by van Dijk. I was really surprised a ref like Michael Oliver - held in such high esteem by himself - didn’t blow when he saw Mac Allister go down holding his head. He was looking straight at the incident. He was close enough to hear it as well - something we don’t get the luxury of. It was poor refereeing. And dangerous.
Liverpool should also have had a pen. Amad clearly handles Gakpo’s cross and that’s given every time in the CL. It was a pen. His arm is out. He’s made himself bigger. And he’s blocked a dangerous cross. Pen.
And Arsenal can be a little aggrieved they didn’t get the pen at Fulham. Ok, Kevin gets the slightest of touches on the ball, but he has to go through Saka to get to it. And if that’s not enough - what about ‘momentum’? We hear that a lot when decisions like that go the other way.
It was a pen - just as Gyokeres’ was at Newcastle when Pope cleaned him out. Happily neither decision affected the result in either game, but it’s important to call these things out. I’m keeping a record of an ever growing list of mistakes because we know Howard Webb doesn’t.
Do we congratulate Ange on setting a new record? Sacked after 39 days. We all saw it coming. How come he didn’t?
He wanted to change things too quickly I’m afraid. Look - I’m not suggesting things at Forest were calm following Nuno’s departure - or even leading up to it, but Ange didn’t get players on board. He lost too many too quickly. Why change solid back four - one of the best in the league last season, into a five? Why leave Murillo out? He’s a Maguire-type warrior.
My only surprise was why Marinakis waited until after the international break. What was the point? If Chelsea turned up - and they did in the second-half, that was a nailed on away win. So why wait? I’d like to wish the next man all the luck in the world. He’s going to need it.
Let’s close with another quick word about what’s happening at Rangers. I’m hearing Kevin Muscat turned the job down because he didn’t fancy reporting to Kevin Thelwell. Who would?
I said a fortnight ago Thelwell should’ve followed Martin out of the door. He was responsible for making that dud decision. He should be accountable for it. And now it appears he’s the stumbling block to a new appointment.
Rumours of a police investigation at Rangers into the misappropriation of funds isn’t good news either.
I know Celtic fans aren’t happy right now either, but isn’t it refreshing to see a Derek McInnes inspired Hearts top? And I’m especially pleased to see Hibs going so well.
David Gray is in charge there - reporting to my mate Malky Makay. Well done both. Keep it going.
We went accuracy and honesty from our officials. Not lies.
So we got there. It took more than a week, but Howard Webb has finally
admitted two of our top refs fucked up at Brentford.
Of course Nathan Collins should’ve been sent-off for denying Brian Mbeumo a goal scoring opportunity. Of course it was nonsense to suggest Mbeumo didn’t have the ball under control, so it wasn’t a DOGSO and Collins could stay on. Of course Webb was going to have to admit those of us that called it on the day were right.
Webb should also have admitted Arsenal should’ve had a pen at Newcastle. What were they thinking over turning the on-field decision? Perhaps he forgot what he said after Saliba/Pedro? Let me remind you again. I mentioned it last week.
Brighton got a pen last season despite Saliba getting to the ball cleanly before he caught Pedro. ‘That touch on the ball doesn't negate the possible award of a penalty’ said Webb about the decision. ‘We've seen other examples where the ball may touch a player but there's still heavy contact on the follow through and it's a penalty’. Quite. No argument from me.
So why did they decide to change the decision at Newcastle? We still haven’t had an adequate answer on that - because there isn’t one if you apply Webb’s original view on these incidents.
I’m not coming back to this so I can be smug. I’m talking about it again because the Mbeumo admission underlines how bad things are right now when it comes to our refereeing.
Not only did Craig Pawson get it wrong on the pitch - Andy Madley got it wrong in VAR. These guys are two of our top officials. How could they both make such a bad call?
What infuriates me as much - perhaps more - is that on the day the Matchday Centre - set up to communicate with broadcasters, lied their way around the problem - and on the Monday a raft of PGMOL patsies were sent out to compound those lies by pretending the decision was good. It wasn’t. We all knew it wasn’t.
What we want is simple - better referees for starters. And some honesty when mistakes are made. We all make mistakes - we can deal with that. Own them. That’s all we’re asking.
Happily there wasn’t much to get excited about this weekend, largely because the football was so poor. I honestly can’t remember such a bad group of matches. Yes, there were moments - like Semenyo’s goal and Caicedo’s strike, but there wasn’t much else. For the most part it was awful.
Why didn’t Brentford have a go at City? Keith Andrews was probably happy with a 1-0 defeat, but he shouldn’t have been. Why didn’t he set up to noise City up - like Brentford have so many more. City are fragile right now, so get in their faces.
City had only one more shot at goal after scoring. That’s how bad it was. Brentford sat off almost admiring them. Why? They’re not scary anymore. The only threat is Haaland. He’s got 12 of their goals this season. No-one else in the team has got more than two.
I like how Jason Burt put it in The Telegraph today. He says City are now the Haaland team. Burt reminded us when making that observation that Guardiola once accused Spurs of being the Harry Kane team.
I think Guardiola will also be regretting starting Rodri. Having spent a week telling us that he can’t play three games in a week right now, Guardiola started him in a third consecutive game. Why? He didn’t need him at Brentford. If he hasn’t got 11 players that can’t beat Brentford without Rodri, then something is seriously wrong.
Thank goodness Rangers finally pulled the plug on Russell Martin. What a chancer he is. He eventually got totally exposed at Southampton, arrogantly trying to convince us he was right about everything and we were all wrong.
So how on earth did Kevin Thelwell, Rangers Sporting Director, come to the conclusion Martin was the right man for a Goliath of a club like Rangers? He might as well have appointed Russell Grant. Thelwell should follow Martin out of the door.
I’m a huge fan of Keith Jackson, who writes for Scotland’s Daily Record. He’s closer to Rangers than anyone else and I enjoyed reading his piece today. He sums up the madness of Martin’s appointment far better than I can. Here it is.
And I can’t finish without a mentioning Super Frankie Lampard. What a job he’s doing at Coventry. Like so many I was devastated when Mark Robins was sacked. That decision wasn’t Frank’s fault of course so he was welcomed to the club as Mark’s replacement. It was the owner Doug King who took the heat.
Well King can feel very pleased with himself right now. Super Frank has really got things moving for us. I’m delighted for the club and our fantastic supporters.
There’s a long way to go yet, but right now we’re the best team in the C’ship and are deservedly top.
As for Super Frank - top work Frank. I hope the love affair we’re all involved in right now goes on for a long time yet. You deserve all the affection coming your way.
Another manic Saturday and Sunday.
I’m almost at the point of exhaustion with our hapless officials. Perhaps that’s their idea though? To be so bad we give up analysing and asking questions because we’re all losing the will to live.
Where to start? It’s been another awful weekend and I know as I type Howard Webb’s army of apologists are out spouting nonsense trying to justify some bemusing calls.
Ok. Who said this? ‘That touch on the ball doesn't negate the possible award of a penalty. We've seen other examples where the ball may touch a player but there's still heavy contact on the follow through and it's a penalty.’
Yep. You’ve got it. Howard Webb. Why? Because he was explaining why Brighton got a pen v Arsenal last season when Saliba got a good head on the ball, but followed through and caught Joao Pedro on his head. I have to say I agreed with the decision.
The words I want to focus on are ‘we’ve seen many other examples where the ball may touch a player but there’s still heavy contact on the follow through’. In other words - momentum. On VAR that day was Darren England.
If you apply the same reasoning - why was Arsenal’s pen denied by VAR at Newcastle? Pope got the tiniest of touches on the ball before cleaning out Gyokeres. It was a pen. Nailed on. Jarred Gillett got it right.
He certainly hadn’t made a ‘clear and obvious error’ so why did VAR get involved? And I’ll bet some of you are ahead of me - who was in VAR? You’ve got it - Darren England of course.
Howard Webb must now admit they got it wrong. He has no choice. His own words prove that. But, doubtless they’ll be spinning some sort of excuse, once again treating us like idiots.
You can apply the same criteria to the incident at Villa. Martinez clearly clatters Josh King. It’s a pen. Andy Madley got it wrong, but added insult to injury by booking King for simulation. Honestly. You couldn’t make it up.
‘They can call us, they can write to us what they want, but it’s clear it was a penalty’ said Marco Silva after the match. The Fulham boss was also raging about another incorrect call - when King’s shot hit the arm of Marty Cash.
These are often subjective - but not this one. The shot was on target and beating Martinez. That’s what made it a pen. Had Cash been five yards further back and on the line Madley gives it. It’s also given in the CL, where these decisions tend to be made more accurately.
How did Collins stay on at Brentford? He intentionally pulls Mbeumo away from the ball as he’s about to slide it in. It’s a clear denial, with no attempt to play the ball. He’s got to go. Nope - this time we were told ‘the on-field decision stands because Mbeumo didn’t have control of the ball’. Of course he didn’t ffs. He was pulled off it. And he would never have controlled it anyway - he was scoring with one touch.
Inconveniently for Webb and his inept charges we had the very same incident at Chelsea later that day. Chalobah was sent-off when he denied Gomez in the D. Did Gomez have control of the ball? No. It was some two/three yards away from him, but Simon Hooper called this one correctly. It was a clear DOGSO. My question is ‘how was it different to the one at Brentford?’ The answer is ‘it wasn’t’.
I often hear people say ‘ah well, it doesn’t matter, because so and so went on to win anyway’. That’s not the point. It does matter. The inconsistency is scary. And the decision making generally poor. Those two things, and the stream of excuses post match, is what drives coaches to distraction. You can have nothing but sympathy for Silva and Fulham, who’ve been hit harder than most this season.
Now let’s talk about football. Top marks to my title-tips Arsenal. I was critical last week, but they were terrific at Newcastle. I’d have to say the match-winner Gabriel was lucky to be on the pitch when he scored mind you. He should’ve gone after punching Woltemade in the face in the first half. That was violent conduct, so it comes into VAR’s orbit, so what were they doing in the bunker? How didn’t they see it?
I wasn’t surprise to see Palace beat Liverpool. What a run Palace are on - 18 unbeaten now. I’m still not convinced by Liverpool. I don’t think they’re as good as their results suggest. If we’re all honest we enjoyed seeing them ‘Liverpooled’ didn’t we? The late winner was deserved. Like me, how long before others start asking questions of Wirtz? What does he do?
I’m staying with my self imposed ban on discussing United. I’ll say just this - I’m not sure what was worse - getting beaten by a rookie coach, half the team Brentford once were or being denied a little piece of history - winning back to back games under Amorim.
Good luck to Nuno. He’s going to need it at West Ham. It was a certainty Potter would go once Brady and Sullivan started getting it in the neck, but what a treacherous manner in which to sack the coach. The morning after you’ve let him conduct his weekly press conference and part way through preparing the team for their next game.
Look. He was a poor appointment. He was never ever going to be the man ‘to deliver further success’ as Brady predicted. He’s a myth. A rich one mind you.
The press decided he was a genius because he tried to ‘play the right way’. He’s not. He’s a nice guy heavily over backed and over promoted. He won’t get another big job.
As for West Ham - Nuno will eventually regret ever having taken the job. It’s only a matter of time before he leaves saying exactly the same things about Brady and Sullivan as all the other coaches they’ve abused.
I’ll say it again - I genuinely feel sorry for West Ham fans. Coaches will continue to come and go through the revolving door there and the club will remain a mess behind the scenes
You could do something about those things but what they can’t change is the fact they play in an athletics arena. Hammers fans were sold a dream, but in reality it’s a nightmare. They were conned. Brady delivered that con. She should follow Potter out of the door.
The Gunners fired only blanks - loaded by Arteta.
I wonder how many of you got sent this like me. If you did you’ll already be scratching your head in disbelief. If you didn’t, have a look and absorb it.
Incredible isn’t it? But you can be sure Arsenal aren’t the only club with a raft of ‘experts’ like these. Having read it a couple of times my conclusion is this - what a pity not one of them has got the bollocks to tell Arteta to grow a pair himself and to start using all the tools at his disposal to try and win big games.
They were a joke again yesterday. Awful. And Arteta had the cheek to come out after the game and tell us his team had played better than the day they put five past City last season. Does he think we’re all fools?
No they didn’t. They were scared. Timid. Passive. Ok - they had a lot of possession, but the lions share if it was in their own half. What use is that?
They mustered three shots on target. Donnarumma parried one at his near post in the first half. Blocked one from Eze that was right down his throat in the second and was beaten only added time with the third. A very good third you’d have to say. Martinelli took the chance really well.
Other than that ‘new’ City were comfortable all day. And I mean comfortable.
Hasn’t Arteta been watching them this season? They’re a project right now - beaten twice already and ripe for the taking yesterday, if he’d picked the right team. And been more ambitious.
How could he not start Eze? I was staggered when I saw he’d left him out. Why did he buy him if not to play him in big games. He terrorised City in the Cup Final.
What an exquisite ball it was that set up Martinelli. You have to wonder what he might have done across 90 mins. Putting him on at half-time was a clear admission from Arteta he’d fucked up.
You’ve also got to ask why did Arteta buy Gyokeres if he’s not going to play to his strengths? He doesn’t want to be part of a tippy-tappy fest. He wants crosses. He wants balls over the top like Haaland gets now. He got nothing yesterday. Arteta will kill him unless he adapts.
The change in the game appears to have passed Arteta by. It hasn’t Guardiola. Have you noticed how direct City are now? Donnarumma bangs everything long. They’re quicker through the lines and even take long throws!
I read a stat in The Times this weekend they’re now moving the ball towards goal at an average speed of 1.6 metres per second (it didn’t say what it has been) which is much faster than at any time in Guardiola’s previous seasons.
They’re different. Evolving. So get at them. You were at home Arteta. What another wasted opportunity. I’ve said already this season - if Arsenal don’t win the title it will be directly on his toes. He’s got all the tools now. So use them. There can’t be anymore excuses. Or lies.
As for City - do we think Guardiola has changed, or is it the influence of Klopp’s former lieutenant Pep Lijnders? I suspect it’s a little bit Guardiola - a lot Lijnders.
I still don’t think Guardiola looks wholly committed and I’m even more convinced this will be his last season. Before you scoff - remember who told you. a full year before it happened, that he would get the City job.
His replacement will be Vincent Kompany. He’s just about the only man who could follow Guardiola and get a fair reception from City fans, who still adore him.
It looks like Graham Potter is toast. Is anyone surprised? Regular readers of this blog won’t be. He was never the man for West Ham. He’s not a big club manager.
All that bluster from Karen Brady when they appointed him looks even more stupid now. She should go with him. She’s made one bad decision after another in her role with The Hammers - including delivering an athletics arena for them the play football in. I feel sorry for West Ham fans. Oh for the Moysey days eh?
We mentioned Villa last week so I won’t dwell on them, but clearly all is not well there - and things won’t have been helped by Emery’s assertion that his players were ‘lazy’ at Sunderland. The fuse has been lit.
I guess after giving Ian Holloway a mention last week his Swindon were going to stumble, so I hope it doesn’t happen to Forest Green Rovers. They’re now top of the Conference. Top marks Robbie Savage.
When I had lunch with their DoF in the summer - my mate Mark Bowen - he told me he had a hunch about appointing Savage. You were right Mark.
Oh - and have you noticed who’s second? Mark Hughes’ Carlisle.
Dewsbury-Hall - booked for taking a quick free-kick. Incredible. And just three minutes added time at Anfield, despite six second-half substitutes and no end of stoppages. How? Darren England was the ref - the same England that wrongly ruled out that ‘on-side’ Luis Diaz goal at Spurs when he was on VAR duty. Did he think he owed Liverpool one? Surely not? I can’t believe that.
Happily it was a pretty quiet weekend. The Darren England puzzles aside I noted only one real clanger by VAR - that was a stick-on pen for Newcastle at Bournemouth.
If you didn’t see it - Woltemade clearly had his shirt pulled by Diskite in the box. The ref missed it. VAR shouldn’t have done. Eddie Howe had every right to be furious, but was politely calm of course. 😂
It should’ve been a pen though.
I’m done with talking about United.
Relax. I’m not going talk about United. I’ve been doing that for too long. I haven’t got anything to add and I’m bored of the subject now. What is interesting though is that the Jim Reaper’s lackies are now all repeating what I’ve been saying, which tells me Amorim’s time is nearly done. They wouldn’t dare stray into the areas they have this weekend without knowledge or permission - perhaps both.
I want to talk about Villa today. What on earth is going there? As a Coventry fan I should be revelling in their current plight, but I can’t, because I don’t share the same feelings as every other Coventry die-hard. I’ve never disliked the club.
I was a huge fan of Doug Ellis, both as a man and an administrator. There was always a warm welcome whenever we were at Villa and bumped into him. And I enjoyed his company many times when I met him socially in Mallorca.
He built something special at Villa But whatever he did was never quite enough for Villa fans, who didn’t share my affection for him and I found that sad.
What he handed over was a club with first class facilities and with little or no debt. Why they haven’t competed at the top end more often is a mystery.
It feels as though they’ve spent more time we the wrong end down the years - never as bad as when Steven Gerrard was in charge, but not as good as Emery has had them.
But this? Just two points and still no goals? Fans have got every right to be asking questions.
It doesn’t take a genius to work out why. In a year when PL clubs spent a record £3.29b in the window Villa shelled out just £40m. They haven’t stood still - they’ve gone backwards and every single one of the teams they might see as rivals has streaked away from them.
I don’t buy PSR excuses. They apply to every club, but seem not to affect their ambitions. Chelsea spend as they like. Newcastle weren’t shy in the last window. Nor were Forest (again), nor United (again). So why are Villa so publicly scared?
I have no evidence to support this theory, but my feeling is the owners - Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris and American billionaire Wes Edens - don’t want to spend. They’re hiding behind PSR excuses.
My gut tells me something else is going on, but I’ve no idea what. And I can’t think of a good reason why. But something feels wrong.
Villa were on the cusp of taking the next step. They were enjoying heady CL nights. Going toe-to-toe with the big boys. At one stage it looked as though they were about to join the elite clubs, but it’s all come crashing down.
Just spend. Compete with the rest. If the PL come calling refer them to City’s lawyers. It’s Everton that will get any points deduction anyway. I’m being facetious of course, but I’m not far from the truth!
It’s early days yet and Villa might get going, but after tipping them for a 5th placed finish I fear they’re in for a rough season.
Good-bye Daniel Levy. But why? I don’t get it. I know few Spurs fans will be shedding tears for him, but I think he’ll be missed. Yes - he was tight. Yes - sometimes he got it badly wrong. Sacking Mourinho in the week of a cup final was madness, but on the plus side, Levy was a Spurs fan and cared about the club. Like Doug Ellis he was a top administrator and he’s left the club in fantastic condition. Over time I think he’ll be missed.
Name the agents please. I’m referring of course to the people at the heart of the 74 charges levelled at Chelsea. I’m talking about the people who took ‘off-the-books’ payments during the Abramovic years. Who are they? We want to know. They should be exposed. And then dealt with.
Before we finish with this week’s officiating howlers I want to give Ian Holloway a mention. Take a look at the top of League Two and you’ll see why.
Swindon were a mess when he joined them in October 2024, in 22nd place one point above the relegation places. Now look at them. It’s a rare good news football story. Well done Ollie. Keeping it going.
And welcome back Chris Wilder. At the time of writing his re-appointment at Sheff Utd isn’t confirmed but I can’t see why it won’t be. What damn fools Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy were sacking Wilder last summer. If Chris is back, as I believe he will be, let’s give the above mentioned a little bit of credit for admitting their error. Wilder will get the Blades going again.
And finally…honest ref watch. Sorry Howard - it wasn’t a good weekend again was it?
What a ridiculous call by Jarred Gillet to rule that Spurs goal out. Error - big error, compounded by the fact he was looking at a nailed-on pen when Fernandes wrestled Van de Ven to the ground, but gave nothing. VAR could only have been asleep again.
Wolves’ lMosquera has got to go for a denial when Harvey Barnes is clean through at Newcastle. It’s as clear a dogso as you’ll ever see.
And Ugochukwu has got to go for that lunge on Mac Allister. That was really nasty. Why didn’t he? Because Michael Oliver was ref and as we know nobody questions Michael. But Oliver got another one wrong.
I’m keeping count of these errors for Howard Webb because our chief ref struggles with his adding up. Three VAR errors last season? That’s really funny.
RIP Ricky. And thank you for all the great nights. You won’t be forgotten. What a warrior. 🩵.
Jan - you’re the man. And the 1-metre rule?
First things first. Top marks to my mate Jan Fjortoft for breaking the news that the Isak to Liverpool was done 48 hours before any of else.
It takes some courage to go out on your own with a story like that, especially when both clubs are briefing against you. But Jan knew it was done and stuck to his story. We spoke to him on beINSPORTS Saturday afternoon and not for a moment did I think he’d got it wrong.
He was spot on about the fee as well. Newcastle accepted £130m. Liverpool had two bids on the table - £110m or £80m now and £60m next season. In the end it was a compromise that got it over the line.
I’m writing before the window shuts and, as I’ve always said, these big deals are complicated. Something might yet go wrong, but after all the wrangling I can’t see that.
I know there are some that think Newcastle should’ve stood firm, but regular readers of this blog know my feelings. They couldn’t. Isak isn’t a slave. He’s got every right to work for whomever he chooses - just as Wissa and Strand-Larsson have - the two forwards Newcastle have been unsettling. What goes around….
And it shouldn’t be forgotten that it’s largely Saudi money that Liverpool have spent - a point I made in my first blog of the season. Liverpool have simply turned round the money they got from Al-Hilal for Nunez and added a bit more. Chelsea spent the Saudi money they earned at the Club World Cup on Delap and Joao Pedro, two forwards Newcastle would’ve loved. Oh the irony.
I told you the problems at City run far deeper than just missing Rodri. He was back Sunday of course, yet City still looked miles off. They’re going to. One player wasn’t going to turn them into title challengers. And him missing last season wasn’t the reason they were so poor.
There’s plenty of time for Guardiola to sort things out, but I’ll say again - I’m not sure he can - or will. I think he looks tired. I think he looks bored. And I think his players might just be bored of him. They perhaps want to hear a new voice around the place.
Look at Jack Grealish. He spent the last two years of his time at City both frustrated and out of love with football. That’s by his own admission. Why? Ask yourself that question. He looks refreshed, vibrant and a lot like his old self at Everton. Good luck to him. It’s great to see him smiling again.
Working with someone else, hearing a different voice and being challenged in a fresh way must have all played a part in his resurgence. I think he’ll help Everton land a European place.
I’m glad Arteta got hammered by everyone after Arsenal’s performance at Anfield. I don’t need to add a lot. He won’t win the title playing as he did. He’s got to be braver.
Do you remember when I said he was scared of winning at City? That day they pissed all over the best Guardiola had to offer, but Arsenal didn’t believe. It cost them that season.
This one was different. They were scared of losing. You could see what he was trying to do - keep it solid for 70 minutes, then make changes and try to nick it. A set-piece goal would’ve been a bonus. Except that’s not good enough if you want to be the best.
He should’ve started Eze. Why pay all that money and sit him on the bench? It’s only a couple of weeks since he terrorised Kerkez at Wembley. The full back would’ve shit himself if he’d been up against him again. Play him ffs.
And I’ve also previously made the point that it’s a waste of time having Gyokeres in your team if you don’t play to his strengths. He’s been heavily criticised for not doing a lot, but what was he to do? He didn’t see the ball. He wasn’t supplied with one cross - nor one ball over the top into space. He won’t thrive in a set-up like Sunday’s.
As for the goal. What a stunner the fk was. Let’s take nothing away from Szoboszlai, but Raya shouldn’t get beaten from that distance. Oh - and I would like to ask what happened to the 1-metre rule that led to Palace’s goal being ruled out at Chelsea? Have we forgotten about that nonsense already?
I know Raya blamed the ball - that pesky Puma ball. I’ve been the only one talking about Arteta’s dislike of it - waiting for the first excuse. Now we’ve heard it. 😂.
But it wasn’t the ball. As Andy Gray said on beINSPORTS, it was Raya’s starting position. Have a look at it again from that angle behind the goal. He’s too far left when the ball is struck. He doesn’t need to be. He should be central and ready to go either way when the ball is that far out. A couple of yards further forward would’ve helped as well. Top keepers don’t let that in. Schmeichel doesn’t. Alisson doesn’t. Nor does Ederson at his best.
As for our refs - the decision to disallow Fulham’s opening goal was a shocker. Howard Webb had to admit that quickly. He took the culprit Michael Salisbury off VAR at Anfield and replaced him with John Brooks.
I’m waiting now to see what punishment ref Rob Jones receives.
Ultimately it was his call. He should've ignored Salisbury. He was too weak and too scared to do that though because VAR now rules. It’s pathetic.
Fulham were robbed the previous week by two bad calls v United - the pen which wasn’t and Yoro’s push on Bassey as he scored, so you can understand why Silva was furious post match at Chelsea.
Not only was the decision to rule King’s goal out wrong, but Salisbury missed three reasons not to give the pen. Yes, it was a pen - but what about the push, the handball and the foul on Iwobi in the build-up? Silva pointed them all out after the game. I’m glad we’d already done so on beINSPORTS.
They weren’t the only mistakes this weekend. I recorded three other howlers - both the Liverpool fk (of course it shouldn’t have been ruled out but Palace’s was 🤷♂️) and a wrestling match in the box at Sunderland that should’ve led to a Brentford pen. Who was in VAR? Darren England, who gave United that pen at Fulham for similar. Honestly, you can’t make this stuff up. Oh - that’s ten serious errors so far Howard. I’m keeping count because I know you can’t.
Our refs are so bad it’s scary
I promised myself I wasn’t going to talk about refs or VAR quite as often this season. But after another calamitous weekend for our officials I’ve cracked already. I’m sorry. They’ve had a terrible start.
I honestly can’t remember a time when we’ve had it so bad. On the opening weekend there were five glaring errors and I mentioned them in passing in my opening blog. This weekend it was nearly as bad. How long is Richard Masters going to allow this to continue?
Howard Webb has got to get a grip. If he can’t - then we’ve got to find someone who can. The greatest league in the world has everything, except competent referees. We’re becoming a laughing stock.
We’ve got top coaches from all over the world. Top players from all corners. Wonderful stadiums. Money is no object it seems, so let’s go out and recruit Europes top refs. Why not? Ours aren’t good enough.
What was going on at Fulham yesterday? Why did Darren England - in VAR - get involved at the corner that led to a pen for United? Ok, Bassey did foul Mount. But right behind that pair, Luke Shaw was holding Muniz. Both were fouls. How could England and then the hapless Chris Kavanagh punish one offence but not the other?
The Matchday centre told us one started before the other. They were right, Shaw grabbed Muniz first and we proved this on BeINSPORTS. But United got a pen. Incredible. I mean it. Absolutely incredible.
As usual Kavanagh saw nothing. He was asked to go to the monitor 1’50” after the corner. If he’d been doing his job properly he’d have stopped the kick being taken and warned everybody about holding.
England should’ve kept quiet. Why go looking for trouble? It was impossible to separate the two offences. Just leave things alone. Nobody would’ve complained.
When England was needed he was sitting on his hands. Yoro fouled Bassey from the corner that led to United’s goal. Yoro pushed Bassey. He got him out of the way by putting two hands on his back. Yoro gets a free header as a result. It’s a foul. A nailed on foul, but England decided there wasn’t ’enough of a push’. Enough of a push? Where does it say that in the laws of the game? Bassey ended up on his arse. No wonder Marco Silva lost it.
And what was Stuart Atwell thinking when he gave Brighton a pen for handball at Everton? The ball was smashed at Dewsbury-Hall from a metre - perhaps two. He was looking away and his arm was in a perfectly normal position for his body shape? Pen? What a joke. Happily, like Fernandes for United, Welbeck failed to score.
The day before I wondered why City’s James Trafford wasn’t sent-off when he handled outside his box. He was the last man. He clearly handled the ball - hand to ball, yet nothing was done. This time we were told the ball came at him from no distance and his arm was in a natural position. You can’t make this stuff up.
Of course Howard Webb will be the final arbiter and tell us ‘nothing to see here. My lads did great’. No they didn’t. They were hopeless and it doesn’t matter how many PGMOL patsies are sent out today (Monday) to offer up all sorts of excuses and stories it doesn’t change that fact. Football people know it’s simply not good enough.
A quick word about United. Does anybody think they’re making progress? And what’s wrong with Fernandes? I thought his body language was poor all day. He just doesn’t look happy to me.
I’m delighted Gyokeres is off the mark. His first was typical of what he can do. He showed power, touch and an unerring eye for goal. He’ll get 20+ this season for sure.
In the end Arsenal were good, but they took a while to get going. I expect them to keep getting better and adding Eze gives them so many more options. I’m glad I tipped them to win it.
What happpened to City? They were as bad this weekend as they were good at Wolves. Mind you - Spurs were fantastic. I’m really pleased for Thomas Frank. I said when he got the job that perhaps Spurs had finally got it right. It looks like they have.
Frank had a game plan and Spurs stuck to it rigidly. Every man did his job and it was the celebrations at the end that struck me. There seemed to be a real unity about Spurs.
As I write Nuno is still in a job, but what was he thinking when he had a go at Forest’s owner? There’s only ever one winner in these circumstances.
I’ve heard whispers that West Ham might be on the lookout for a coach again soon. Nuno? But surely not? Not after what Karen Brady said about Graham Potter when she appointed him. Remember?
After stating that ‘the right foundations are in place for further success’ she went on to say this about Potter ‘I firmly believe we have appointed not only a good man, but the right man for West Ham United to bring future trophies’.
I did question this view at the time. How Brady gets out of this mess is going to interesting. If West Ham lose at Wolves this week Potter could well be out of work again. It’s a quickie because I’m flying. See you next week.
It’s simple. Bayindir was fouled
Weak? Maybe a little bit. Soft? Perhaps. Could’ve done better? Of course. That’s always the case. Few leave a field of play satisfied with what they’ve done. But - Bayindir was fouled.
We all know what Arsenal do at set-pieces. They push boundaries all the time. Sometimes they get away with it - on other occasions they don’t. They did yesterday (Sunday).
Now I’ll explain why Saliba should’ve been penalised. I have no problem with him standing where he did. He’s entitled to do that, but the moment he blocks the keeper by turning his back to him and then backing into him - that’s a foul. Take another look at where Bayindir ends up. He’s in the back of the net with the ball. Saliba sent him there.
I agree United should’ve bought a keeper in the summer. I’m the one that first called Onana out - much to the annoyance of the United faithful back then. When ten Hag signed him I said he would cost United as many points as de Gea used to save them. He did.
United won’t be successful with Bayindir in goal either. He isn’t good enough, but he was fouled on Sunday. Any keeper in the world would’ve expected a free-kick in similar circumstances. It was a foul.
Arsenal got away with another one when Gabriel was all over Cunha in the box. He got nowhere near the ball when he challenged Cunha. He caught his left foot and subsequently dragged him to the ground. I don’t blame Simon Hooper for not seeing that one but VAR should’ve picked it up like we did at beINSPORTS.
I thought United were hard done by. They deserved something from the game, but it’s to Arsenal’s credit that didn’t happen. They won ugly and if they’re going to win the title, they’ll have to do a lot more of that. And before I’m buried with abuse from Arsenal fans, let me repeat The Gunners are my tip to win it this season.
I wasn’t overly impressed with Liverpool. The old phrase ‘if you can’t be good be lucky’ came to mind when I watched them pinch the points off Bournemouth. They were far from convincing, but like Arsenal got the job done.
They’ve got a new system and plenty of new faces and it showed. Bournemouth were terrific in the second-half and Iraola was right when he said his team missed an opportunity. Losing late as they did must’ve really hurt.
City were ‘pure’. Really smooth. Nobody has been talking about them really and maybe that’s helped them. Reijinders was fantastic. Of the three realistic title challengers I thought they looked the most likely by miles, but there’s a long way to go.
I guess we can excuse Chelsea for the same reason. Palace should’ve beaten them. On a point of law I get it that Eze’s free-kick was disallowed, but if it hadn’t been would anyone have cared? Chelsea didn’t claim an offence, but ok. The decision was in line with what seems to be VAR’s primary job of sucking both life and enjoyment out of the game.
James Bell flagged it in VAR. He’s clearly a man with a good eye for minutiae. Or is he? Where was he when Sanchez came for that long throw - completely missed the ball and punched Guehi in the back of the head? Had Bell gone for a cup of tea? That should’ve been a pen. Again - I don’t blame the ref for not seeing it, but Bell should’ve done.
VAR missed another one at Villa as well. Newcastle should’ve had a pen when Kamara caught the back of Barnes’ heel and brought him down in what followed after Bizot had saved from Elanga. So that’s three VAR errors already Howard.
A quick word about Isak. I understand all the criticism. On the face of it he’s painted himself into a corner, but I don’t blame him entirely.
Newcastle have had two really good offers. Liverpool are prepared to pay £110m now. Their back-up bid is £80m now and £60m more next summer. I’m of the view the only thing Newcastle have to decide is which one to take.
Isak is unhappy. He’s unsettled. He’ll be a problem for as long as he’s at St James’ now. He doesn’t want to be there and Geordies don’t want him there. Sell him for goodness sake.
Football has to be the last industry where employees are slaves to the employer. I know that sounds like an emotive and explosive statement, but it’s true. In what other industry is an employee denied a say in his/her basic human right of freedom of choice?
It doesn’t matter how much these guys earn. Football is nothing without players. They earn every penny of what they’re paid. There’s a massive industry churning trillions off the back of what they do.
Change is coming, believe me. And here’s a link to a really good article that was published in The Mail Online in early August that backs up what I’m saying.
Don’t get angry with me because of what I’ve just said. Read the article again and absorb it. I remember very well the Bosman ruling. None of us thought he’d win that case. No, that’s not true - few wanted him to win that case. But he did and change will continue to happen in the game. It’s unstoppable.
All change this season? No chance.
Nothing is certain except death and taxes’. Benjamin Franklin 1789. Not quite true though is it? If Franklin had been alive today he would’ve almost certainly added ‘and relegation for clubs coming up from the Championship’.
As we know, for the past two seasons all three promoted clubs have gone straight back. This is a joyous scenario for American PL owners, who never got the concept of relegation when they bought into our league and now they’ve got what they wanted. No relegation.
I know Burnley are American owned. And Leeds. And if by some minor miracle either could avoid the drop this season they might just re-establish themselves in the big league. But it’s a big ask. The rest can relax. They’re not going down. It’s sad really. The league has become so predictable.
If Scott Parker has learned nothing from his previous spells in the PL, Burnley already know their fate. So do Sunderland. I’m giving Leeds a chance for a number of reasons. The first is Brentford, but I’ll get back to that. On the field, they might just be able to muster enough points at Elland Road to survive. It’s a hostile place to go and should give them a platform to work from. I like that Farke has been buying ‘big’. He’s got giants in his team now, realising set-pieces at both ends are so important.
Having said I like their transfer business, I really don’t get Calvert-Lewin. When he came on the scene at Everton I really thought he could be a player. I still think he should’ve been, but it’s all a bit late now. And is he better than Bamford? Does he stay fitter than Bamford? For me, the answers to those questions are ‘no’ and ‘no’. Odd. All very odd.
Now. Brentford. They could easily go. Too much has happened there during the summer and none of it has been good. The manager has gone. So too the captain. And the front two. All influential characters and they’ll be missed. And I really don’t understand the appointment of Keith Andrews. Why? What on earth has he kept a secret all this time that persuaded Matthew Benham to give him the job? I haven’t seen it. I don’t think anybody has.
So there’s my three to go - Burnley, Sunderland and Leeds/Brentford.
What about the top? I like what Liverpool have done in the summer. And they’re not done yet are they? I’m pretty sure Isak will turn up at Anfield before the window shuts.
The big spend tells me I was correct last season when I described them as ‘average’ champions. I also said they wouldn’t win anything this season with the same players. Of course they deserved to win it, but the rest all went backwards.
It won’t be like that this time. The challengers are all better.
Liverpool should win it. Should, but I’m not sure they will. I’ve for a fancy for Arsenal. If Gyokeres proves to be the missing piece then they will win it.
Everybody knows I like him. He’s got the lot - two good feet, he can head the ball and he’s fantastic when he’s running away from people. But that might be the key. Arsenal are going to have to change to get the best out of him.
They need raiding full-backs, not an inverted Lewis-Skelley. They need to be quicker back to front and they’ve got to be prepared to turn the ball over more quickly as well. We’ll see, but I repeat, this might just be their year.
That would give Liverpool second place. I think it’s either City or Chelsea for third and fourth. And we’ve got a fifth CL place haven’t we? That’s Villa’s.
Manchester United have got to be better. If they aren’t Amorim won’t finish the season. I’ve said so many times now - the PL needs a strong United, so it would be great to see them back in the top 6.
I can’t work out what’s happening at Newcastle. On the face of it, the Saudi’s seem to have lost interest. Why else would they accommodate Liverpool’s needs and buy Nunez for their Pro League thereby funding the champions bid for Isak?
They helped Chelsea nick Delap and Joao Pedro by backing the Club World Cup and softening the impact of PSR regulations at The Bridge. Newcastle would’ve taken either/or player. I can’t work out the strategy.
Anyway, I’m sure the Toon will be good enough to chase a euro place - and so will Spurs. I like Thomas Frank and I liked more the way his team played v Paris the other night. The first goal was right out of the Brentford playbook - the keeper taking a fk on the half-way line, lofting it to the far post - Spurs kept the ball alive and scored. The second was from a set-piece as well, although the new Paris keeper was useless for that one. Spurs know they should’ve won it, but let’s hope Frank is the man they’ve been looking for.
Nibbling away will be Brighton, Bournemouth, Palace, Forest and Fulham. I’d expect more of Wolves and I hope Everton. The new stadium should serve them well and if they’ve signed the real Jack Grealish then they’ve done really good business. If Grealish delivers he’ll be an instant hit. He’s what Evertonians love.
So that leaves West Ham. 🤷♂️.
Ive got a couple of wishes - that refs are better. We’ve got bang ordinary officials and when Howard Webb claimed VAR errors were down from 31 to 18 last season I had to laugh. The PGMOL are still marking their own homework. It’s wrong. Webb needs to be more honest as well - especially with himself.
And after watching Paris, Barca - Spain at the last euros - and to some degree Liverpool and Bayern, I really hope we’re moving away from the deadly dull tippy-tappy era. Those teams play with energy and pace. Paris were breathtaking in the CL final. Please - let’s see more of it.
If you live in my part of the world I’ll see you on beINSPORTS all weekend. Andy and I are about to start our 36th season of PL coverage together. It’s 39 of you include our time at the original BSB. What a run we’ve had. And now we’re the last men standing. That’s a source of huge pride to me.
We’ll be offering the usual mix of grown up chat for adults with the football. Every PL game is live on our channels and we’ll still be showing goals as they’re scored. Enjoy.