From the Invincibles to the Unbearables.

Come on Arsenal. Enough. I’m delighted you won it. I had a small wobble in my belief you would, driven by colleagues at beINSPORTS, (yes, you Mssrs Eaton and Howie) but it was a deserved win.

I’ll remind you again - you knew I would - I predicted it, so seeing The Gunners get it done was even sweeter.

It must feel wonderful. They’d been so close in the previous three seasons missing out again would’ve been unbearable. They were due.

But….we’ve all seen enough of your celebrations now. You’re morphing from the Invincibles into the Unbearables. Watching the line-up of celebrity fans parading at Selhurst Park was embarrassing.

I also think the fun is a little premature. I was amazed to read there was a title party in London’s Mayfair on Sunday evening. Why? Haven’t they got an important date v Paris this weekend?

Arsenal have made a bit of a habit of over-celebrating down the years. The best example of that I can give you was when they went into overdrive having completed a comeback win v Fulham a couple of seasons ago. Do you remember? On that day - in October - they were even posting shots from the dressing room.

There have been so many other occasions - and every time it’s bitten them.

They need laser focus for the game this weekend, but they’re behaving like the season is over. It shouldn’t have been, but it might be now.

And quickly on the celebrity fan I know there’s a huge temptation for headline showbiz acts to get involved, but the title win was fuck all to do with them. Stay out of the way.

I made a 24-hour 7000 mile round trip to watch Coventry get presented with the C’ship trophy because I simply wanted to be there. I was encouraged by family and friends to lean on people I knew so I could get close to the celebrations, but I didn’t want to.

It was nothing to do with me. I was chuffed to bits for Frank Lampard, Doug King and the boys and grateful for the moment they had given me to think about my old dad, who was with me at Highfield Road the last time it happened in 1967. I think I made the right call - not calls to be sure I was seen. Pathetic.

I write on Tuesday 26 May, 13 years to the day we lost Mum. She remains much missed by me and my three sisters.

The last day passed off without too much drama. I think we got largely what we were expecting, apart from Sunderland’s fantastic surge into 7th place. What a season they had. They serve as an inspiration to every club getting promoted into the PL.

I’m pleased for Brighton as well. They’ll play in Europe next season along with the Black Cats and Bournemouth (of course I realise Brighton are in a different competition. It’s the one English teams tend to win). Now we’ll see if there’s another level for Bournemouth Pipes.

Where was Wally David Sullivan when the final whistle went at West Ham’s taxpayers athletics bowl? Not in his seat that’s for sure. And has anyone heard Karen Brady apologise for her part in the Hammers downfall? Both were quick enough to take credit for the David Moyes inspired Conference win.

Well done Hull. Has there ever been a more unlikely C’ship play-off final win - from survival on goal difference the previous season to a Wembley win?

I still think the punishment meted out to Saints was too harsh. In the end it was both players and supporters who took the brunt of Spygate and it wasn’t their fault.

A much fairer punishment would’ve been a big fine and points deduction - applicable to the PL had they got up.

As much as I disagreed with the outcome, fair play to the EFL for their swift judgement though. As I’ve previously said, what a pity the committee that passed judgement on Saints didn’t hear the basis of the 135 charges against City. We’d have had a decision on that in a week. 😂

Sunday was a bit special for me and Andy as I’m sure you’ve heard? We fronted a PL football show for the last time - after 34 years. I can’t tell you how proud I am of that achievement - or the 41 years I’ve been on tv. The PL tally won’t ever be done again, that’s for sure. I’m grateful to so many who’ve helped down the years - not least a handful of the most talented people I’ve ever worked with at beINSPORTS.

We’ve got the CL final left - and then that’s it for traditional tv. I’ve decided not to get involved with the WC. It won’t be as good as the event was in Qatar and I don’t want to sully the memory. Infantino was right for a change when he spoke last week - what a pity the next 10 can’t be played in Qatar.

I’m not cutting ties with Qatar. I can’t. It’s home. I love the place. We’re at the end of the beginning. They think it’s all over……

The fall and fall of West Ham dis-United. And it’s a genuine scandal.

I really felt for the West Ham fans who made the trip to Newcastle. I know the feeling. We all do. Football fans all over the world have felt let down by their team at one time or another.

Their team? That’s one thing. The owners of the club is another, but I know that feeling too. At Coventry we were saddled with the despicable venture capital group SISU for a wasted decade before Doug King.

At West Ham it’s Sullivan and Brady. I’ll leave the late David Gold out of this because I think he was a genuine fan and tried to do his best for the club. The other two? Not for me.

I got to know Gold when he was good enough to come on Keys&Gray at talkSPORT. He was good on-air - better off it. We discussed a lot after the show and I’ll never forget him saying of Karen Brady ‘Richard - she doesn’t represent West Ham. She represents herself’. Few truer words have ever been spoken.

How many times do you think those words have comeback to me as I’ve watched her rip the heart out of West Ham - promising the world to fans and delivering little following the move from Upton Park?

Let’s quickly run through a few the pastry crust promises she made as she tried to convince West Ham fans they had to leave the wonderfully atmospheric Upton Park

She said they’d be moving to ‘a stadium fit for football that feels like home’. No.

It would be a football arena ‘fit for world class football’.  No.

She promised full supporter consultation and polling. No.

Little regard was given to what fans wanted.

She claimed there’d be ‘sell out crowds and 50,000+ season ticket holders’. No.

The stadium would bring ‘financial growth allowing West Ham tochallenge the top 6’. No.

She claimed ‘West Ham would become one of the top 10 clubs in Europe’. No.

There would be a ‘community legacy and jobs’. No.

The arena would be a ‘multi-use venue’. Does two athletics meetings a year count? No.

Brady got what she wanted. West Ham fans didn’t. We don’t know what her bonus was for delivering the move. Executive bonuses at private companies aren’t required to be made public in the uk, but you can be sure she’s benefitted a whole lot more than anyone else connected with West Ham - other than Sullivan.

So many of my mates have tried to manage the club, but all have come up short - other than David Moyes and even he had his running shoes on once he saw the writing on the wall. No-one could work with Brady and Sullivan - not even the late Trevor Francis at Birmingham. I’ve got stories he told me that would make your hair stand on end.

One other thing - why have West Ham bought and sold so many average players down the years? What’s the up side of that I wonder?

The pity is Brady won’t be at West Ham’s final match of the season. She should be. She should have the courage to face up to West Ham fans.

Welcome back to the big time Jose Mourinho. Who’d have thought? But it’s brilliant isn’t it? I’ve argued for years he’s got plenty in the tank - now we’re about to find out.

He’s exactly what Madrid need - someone with big balls - someone to take on the oversized egos in that dressing room - Bellingham included.

Alonso couldn’t do it. They chewed him up and they will at Chelsea if he’s not careful. I wish him well. He’ll need a lot of luck, a fair wind and a lot of courage, but Chelsea have chosen well at last.

I’ve nothing much to say about the Cup Final. What a bore. City could barely be bothered to celebrate and that summed the whole day up for me.

One of these two players left their club this weekend feted as a legend - Kieran Trippier, with 133 appearances for Newcastle over four and a half years.

Seamus Coleman, with 373 appearances over 17 seasons. He’s Everton’s all time PL appearance holder. It’s pretty obvious which one isn’t it? Yep - Trippier. 🤷‍♂️.

And never mind how they got there - debate will rage on for years, but boy what a job Martin O’Neill did at Celtic. As a fellow pensioner, I’m proud of you Martin.

We can’t keep letting inadequate officials make these cock-ups.

Hands up if what happened at West Ham yesterday came as a surprise to you. No. I didn’t think so. It’s been coming and our mediocre officials - no, inadequate officials - are to blame.

Let’s take this one step at a time. I agree with 100 per cent Peter Schmeichel. I saw him on Instagram. The call was wrong on so many levels.

Was it a foul? Yes, it probably was, but of course Chris Kavanagh wasn’t going to see it. He’s one of our worst and has had a season littered with errors.

Was it a ‘clear and obvious’ error? No, it wasn’t. Although I agree it probably (there’s that word again) was a foul, but if it was so damned obvious why didn’t take nearly five minutes to sort it out? What a shambles.

You can’t take Sunday’s decision in isolation. Again, I agree with Schmeichel - Arsenal are top, largely because they’ve been getting away with the sort of thing we saw at West Ham, all season.

I don’t blame them for that. Every team pushes the laws of the game to the limit to gain an advantage, so fair play to them. It’s the officials who’re to blame.

They’ve let too much go and we’ve got a scrum in the box now at every corner - and long throw-in. They should give penalties when they see holding - 3/4 a game if they have to. It’s the only way to stop it.

Did you see the incident at Sunderland when Luke Shaw got hold of Brian Brobbey? What didn’t Stuart Attwell and his VAR helper Peter Bankes not see? Shaw had hold of Brobbey from the moment the cross came in. He didn’t even look at the ball. It was as clear a pen as you’ll ever see, but the officials let it go unpunished. It’s nonsense.

I’ve mentioned this many times - do you remember when Mike Dean gave a pen at Stoke because Ryan Shawcross wasn’t looking at the ball at a corner? They was all. He  didn’t commit any other offence. 😂

A couple of other things - our guys simply aren’t good enough. And I’ll say again - we’ve got to be able to listen to those conversations at the monitor. Where is Howard Webb right now. MIA for sure.

Someone has got to get to grips with the appalling standards of refeeeing in the PL. Perhaps Richard Masters could earn some of that £1m bonus and take an interest?

I’m told the X-lino, Darren Cann, came up with a cunning plan to stop holding in the 6-yard box on the BBC. Darren was a brilliant lino, but he shouldn’t get involved in these matters. His idea is to clear the box entirely - not allow anyone in it. Brilliant Darren - so you just move the problems to the edge of the 6-yard box?

No. We have adequate laws already. Our officials have got to get better at applying them.

One last thing on this - Darren England, who was in VAR yesterday, takes charge of the Cup Final next weekend. I, for one, will be watching his performance very closely. The game is a tough gig anyway - he’s just gone and made it a whole lot harder for himself.

It’s exactly a month today (Monday) to the World Cup. I’m not going. I don’t want to go anywhere near America right now. I don’t believe it’s safe for travellers. How can it be when certainly it’s not safe for people who live there?

It’s a country where people ‘disappear’ - a lot of them to camps in contravention of human rights laws. And that’s if you’re lucky - US citizens can be shot on the streets by over zealous law enforcement and no-one is held responsible.

One major legal violation follows another. Three million of the Trump-Epstein files still haven’t been released, protecting sex traffickers and child rapists. I’m looking forward to Gary Lineker’s pre-tournament sermon this time around. How is he going to deal with the above?

Ticket prices are a scam. So are travel and hotel prices. Oh for a mini-tournament - which proved to be the best ever and delivered the best WC final ever.

Last week Infantino claimed tickets prices were ‘justified’ and FIFA have every right to take advantage of the system in America that allows for tickets to be sold for thousands of dollars above face value.

Did you see this? The Guardian reported one case where four tickets for the final have gone on sale for $2.3m each - £1.7m ffs. If someone was daft enough to buy them FIFA’s cut would be £508,000 each. Scandalous.

And this as viewers in China and India might not be able to watch the tournament because FIFA want £100m for the tv rights in those countries. There’s no deal right now. Infantino and FIFA are out of control.

A quick one on Jamie Vardy to end. I won’t be watching his mini-series, but I read in one episode he claims he wouldn’t go through the pain again of what it took to achieve the success he’s had. ‘I’ve got no regrets at all. But if you asked me to go and do it again, I wouldn’t’ says the multi-millionaire kid made good from Sheffield. Yes you would Jamie.

A summer of managerial changes is on the way.

Damn. I knew it. There was always going to be a twist wasn’t there? Declan Rice was right when he shouted ‘it’s not over’ after Arsenal’s defeat at City.

Let’s get this straight, I’m delighted there’s life in the title race yet. I said to Andy, after the showdown at The Etihad, if there was hope it would be that Everton might take something off City. And there you go. Brilliant. Well done Moysey. 

I haven’t spoken to Andy yet. He’ll be inconsolable that Rangers are out of the race in Scotland.

I’m always happy to admit when I’m wrong, but I’m going to blame the Gooners I’m surrounded by at beINSPORTS for this one. I’d resisted their negativity all season and then capitulated. I let them get to me.

I’d been steadfast in my belief Arsenal could do it, until the game at City. Mssrs Howie and Eaton beat me down. They know it as well. 😂

So it’s game on again. And good luck tonight (Tuesday) Arsenal. I’ll always back an English team in Europe.

If Arteta pulls off a title win he’ll be a hero for ever. If he doesn’t, I still think he’ll have to go. Arsenal just can’t finish second again.

I had my crystal ball out last week and made a few predictions about managerial changes on BeINSPORTS. You may have seen we clipped the segment up for the socials, but just in case, here we go again.

I’m standing by my call early in the year Guardiola is done at City. I would never have gone out on a limb unless my info was rock solid.

It wasn’t a football matter driving his thought process then, but it is now. I’m told Maresca is still City’s first choice to replace Guardiola. Look - there’s always room for change in these matters, but I’m pretty sure this one is done.

I also believe we might soon hear from the PL re the 135 charges. This, after more than three years. But don’t expect a resolution. If City are found guilty, there’ll be an appeal and that could go on for another two years. That will see me well out of the way.

Chelsea are really struggling to find a top coach. Are we surprised? I mentioned on Twitter, after the Forest defeat, a mate of mine messaged and summed their plight up like this ‘between Johnson’s Tory govt, BlueCo and Rosenior they’ve wrecked the club’. He’s got a point.

Marco Silva might give it a go. He’s leaving Fulham. If he wasn’t he’d surely have signed a new deal by now?

He’d fit the model. Like Chelsea, Fulham have made a habit of signing under 28-year-olds. The only issue might be that Silva likes to be involved in the signings process. BlueCo like to do all that at Chelsea.

Glasner still needs a home and he thought he’d got United when he quit Palace early in the year. That could’ve changed now. If United don’t appoint Carrick, it’ll likely be Areola. It’s Palace for Areola if not. I find that an odd one. Is he really taking a step up if he goes to Selhurst?

I think Eddie Howe is done at Newcastle, so he’ll be in the market place.

Does Frank Lampard stay at Coventry? I obviously hope so, but it’ll be dependent on how much owner Doug King wants to commit to a PL campaign. The model is likely to be to sign a few players on £40-45g/week with a promise they can go if we go down. Will that be enough?

I think we’ve got some good players, but they’ll need help.

If Lampard leaves it’ll likely be for Fulham. I keep hearing his name linked with it.

I don’t expect Kieran McKenna to stay at Ipswich. He’s done a fantastic job getting them straight back up, but staying up is so hard. Does he want another relegation on his cv?

Some of these could be right. On the other hand, they clearly might not be, but I do expect a lot of changes and a very slow transfer market until appointments are made. Oh, Lost will likely survive if he delivers CL, but he’ll need a good start next season.

According to Martin Ziegler in The Times Infantino has already got enough votes ahead of next years presidential election. Pity. That’s one change I think we’d all like to see.

Congrats to Ashley Young on a fantastic 23-year career. He deserves all the accolades that will go his way.

And I was delighted to see Kobbie Mainoo get a new deal at United. The brains trust made a lot of fuss about this. Where were they when Amorim was hanging the kid out to dry? There wasn’t a word from any of them. Mainoo is a class act and should always have been in United’s plans - and team.

Anyone surprised Chelsea turned it on?

Clearly I didn’t see the second of the weekend’s s/f’s because I was revelling with 32,000 other Super Sky Blues in our title winning celebrations. What a day. What memories.

I used to think they should’ve stood that fabulous EFL trophy down when the PL was formed and everything changed. Somehow it didn’t seem right the team winning the second tier of English football should get their hands on something so many legends had in the past. It won’t surprise you to learn I’ve changed my mind. 😂.

I hope I never see scenes like it again - because obviously I want us to survive in the big league. I’d take 17th now. I think we’ve got some good players, bit are they all good enough for the PL? Who knows? That’s part of the puzzle. I’d break the bank to keep the ‘keeper Rushworth, but you’ve got to be realistic.

Owner Doug King’s choice is very simple - either spend £100m like Sunderland or nothing like Burnley. The outcome would likely be the same as it is for those two teams this season. 

Anyway, back to the Chelsea/Leeds game. When I saw the score I couldn’t help but wonder what Liam Rosenior was doing Sunday afternoon? I don’t believe Chelsea - as daft as they are - didn’t have a three month break clause in his contract, so he might not have been counting the millions some have suggested he left with.

Perhaps he was evaluating how stupid he’s been pissing away the biggest (and luckiest) break of his life? And what an irony Fernandez settled the tie. Rosenior’s press conferences when Chelsea banned their captain recently, for being honest with the media in Argentina, were toe curlingly embarrassing.

I learned this week the Chelsea players used to refer to Rosenior as ‘the supply teacher’. You can see why. And I wish I’d put a couple of bob on the outcome Sunday. It was nailed on Chelsea would win.

I don’t want to waste time talking about Rosenior any further - I did enough of that last week. But, again, I couldn’t help but give him a thought when I read the following promoting an upcoming event….

‘Russell Martin will return to the FAW National Coaches Conference to deliver a Tactical Masterclass session with Coaches Voice.

Coaches can revalidate UEFA qualifications and learn from industry expert at the two-day event’.

You fucking what? Seriously? It’s an event being held this summer - one of the speakers is Martin and he’s going to deliver a ‘tactical masterclass’.  Based on what? 

If he was hosting an event based on talking nonsense I’d understand that better and I’d expect to see Rosenior making an appearance.

I don’t have an issue with licences, coaching courses, or a whole lot more of what players can learn in the classroom when they decide they want a career in the dug out, but keep it real.

Both Martin and Rosenior should take time away and reflect on their last few jobs - especially Martin. Talking gobeldy-gook and as though you’ve swallowed a dictionary doesn’t make up for a lack of common sense. Preaching to others soothes their egos when they should’ve been burst.

There’s something odd about West Ham’s decision to part company with Karen Brady. Why the rush? It was a brutal exit. Resigning a job usually leads to a process of winding down. Brady was out of the door before the lights went out in her office. I don’t think we’ve got the whole story yet.

I was hoping the legacy media might tell us more - then I remembered most of the sports guys are West Ham fans, none more so than Martin Samuel, so they’ll toe the party line. I like Martin. I think he’s a brilliant writer. I worked with him when we were both babies.

He wrote in The Times Brady’s departure ‘was a loss for the whole of football’ I couldn’t disagree more. I’m with Sam Wallace, who made this point in The Telegraph - that Brady’s legacy ‘is a stadium hated by fans’. I’d go further and say it’s a stadium not fit for purpose. It’s a shame she profited, through legal bonuses, so richly when she did the deal to base West Ham in an athletics arena.  I don’t think Brady will be missed one jot.

The Mirror’s Andy Dunn has been getting all uptight about the upcoming WC. He’s been pointing out the outrageous costs that fans travelling the US will likely incur - let alone the cost of tickets. And he’s right 

For example, he points out getting from Penn Station in Manhattan to the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey - just 18 miles - costs the equivalent of £12.50 right now. During WC weeks the cost will rise to £110. 

FIFA can’t sell tickets - not just because of the cost of travel - but because people don’t want to visit America whilst that orange baby (I could’ve gone stronger) is in the White House. I’m one of them. I won’t be there.

The Guardian report prize money will be raised at a meeting of the FIFA council in Vancouver this week, because countries are concerned about the costs of taking part. Oh for the simplicity of a WC in Qatar eh?

Also in The Guardian today news the head of referees for Serie A and Serie B, Gianluca Rocchi, has been suspended and placed under investigation for ‘sporting fraud’. He’s accused of arranging for Andrea Colombo to referee Inter’s game at Bologna last April as he was ‘liked by Inter’. Happily Bologna won 1-0.

He’s also accused of pressuring a VAR official in Udinese’s 1-0 win over Parma last March. Totally unrelated to this - how often have I said VAR is the best way to fix a match if you have intent? It’s a good job our officials aren’t corrupt - they’re just not very good. Why wasn’t Calvert-Lewin sent-off for hair pulling? United fans were right to point this out. And why didn’t Everton get a pen at West Ham for a nailed on handball? 

I’ve got to give Football Focus a quick mention. I repeat what I said on Twitter last week - of course it’s not Alex Scott’s fault it’s failed. It’s simply a programme that’s not needed nor watched anymore. It’s a victim of changing viewing habits.

MotD will go the same way. And so will pre and post game shows. Few watch highlights and viewers don’t watch the sort of programming I’ve done most of my life anymore. 

I saw a stat last week that most under-30s have never bought a newspaper. That same group don’t watch football as we did and they’re tired of hearing from the same pundits saying the same things across every channel they might switch on. 

The multi-nationals that own the sports broadcasts companies know the costs of highly paid pundits are unsustainable. They haven’t quite killed the golden goose, but it’s in intensive care. 

That’s it then. It’s City’s title.

That’s it then. It’s over. Except it isn’t quite, but we all know it is really!

Arsenal have bottled it. Of course there’s a chance of the odd twist or turn yet, but I can’t see it now. I wanted Arsenal to win it. I tipped them to win it. I’ve backed them for weeks, but I can’t anymore. This will go down as the biggest PL choke of all.

I said in my opening blog of the season if they didn’t win it - it would be entirely Arteta’s fault. I stand by that. His caution has cost them.

To be fair they weren’t bad yesterday. Eze was desperately unlucky. Gabriel hit the post as well - but Havertz has got to score with the header. He’s six yards out. The pace is on the cross. It was perfect. Just steer it past the keeper. That was the title right there. If he scores and Arsenal leave with a point I think they go on to win it.

My beef is why Arteta waited until the 86th minute to put Gyokeres on. What did he expect him to do in the four minutes (plus added time) that was left? Why didn’t he put him on as soon as Haaland scored?

How many times down the years did we see Fergie load the field with strikers when he needed a goal?That’s how ‘Fergie time’ came about. As Clive Tyldesley said in Barcelona ‘can Manchester United score? They always score….’ As we know they did. At City Arteta froze.

Oh well. It’s all too late now. And I’m afraid Arteta will have to go. I know there’s the CL yet, but I can’t see them winning that, even if they get past Atletico. That would mean nothing from a season again. Just second place again. Not good enough.

It’s good to see Liam Rosenior still breaking records though. That’s four straight defeats now, without a goal. The last time they achieved that dubious feat was March 1998. Top man Liam.

Spurs are in deep trouble. Forest were terrific v Burnley. If West Ham get something tonight (Monday) at Palace, it might be the final nail.

De Zerbi argues they can win their last five. No they can’t. They’ve only won seven all season.

You just knew what was going to happen when they over-celebrated Simons’ goal. It was too soon for what followed - shirts off and everybody leaping into the crowd. That was the moment for calm. At that moment nothing had been achieved and, of course, they went on to throw away two massive points. They never learn.

David Moyes was correct. Of course Everton should’ve had a pen when Dewsbury-Hall was pushed over by Curtis Jones. Moyes’ argument is the very same as the one I made on air Sunday - ‘why would he go down if he’s not fouled?’ said Moyes. Adding ‘why would he not take the chance to shoot?’ Exactly.

Our guys simply aren’t good enough. How many times have I said this. It was Chris Kavanagh at Everton - Anthony Taylor again (one of our two WC refs) at City who should’ve sent Gabriel off for violent conduct. Nobody else, other than John Brooks in VAR, didn’t think a red card should’ve been shown.

Thats right - the same John Brooks that had a shocker at Hull, when they were beaten by Sheff U, seven days ago. Brooks was so bad the PGMOL had to apologise to Hull.

I can’t end without thanking Frank Lampard for getting the Super Sky Blues back into the big time. Lampard thoroughly deserved his C’ship Manager of the Season award Sunday night. He and his staff have been amazing.

There are too many other heroes to mention, but I’ve got to make a special case for Dean Austin, (the old Spurs defender) Head of Recruitment at Coventry.

He’s done a phenomenal job - finding one nugget after another. Coventry will have to spend a few quid now, but Austin has given them a terrific platform to work from and you just know he knows where to find the next seam. 

The self appointed top PL coach is still setting records.

I’m in good health thank you. No worries. I only mention that because so many of you have been in touch to check on me because I haven’t filed these musings for a couple of weeks.

I don’t usually write during PL breaks. And the last one was longer because the FA Cup 1/4 finals were scheduled in after the international games, so I gave myself an extra week off.

Oh yes. I didn't file yesterday (Monday) because I spent the day recovering from a really good night celebrating Nicki Crosby’s departure from beINSPORTS. It’s not like me to inflict damage on myself the way I did, but we had to have a blast. 😂.

Nicki is a good operator and she’ll be missed by what’s left of my former colleagues here in Qatar. I haven’t seen too many - if any - better than she is. When she’s settled in the uk she’ll eventually make quite an impact on the domestic broadcast scene. Keep an eye out for her.

The problem with sitting idle for a couple of weeks is there’s so much to catch up on.

I see Liam Rosenior (self appointed top coach) is still setting records at Chelsea. The latest is startling. The defeat to City means Chelsea have now lost three consecutive PL games, without scoring, for the first time since 1998. Well done Liam.

I stand by my prediction - which I made when he got the job - Chelsea will be looking for another coach in May. He’s taking them backwards at a rate of knots. I know he rates himself highly, but I haven’t come across anybody else yet that does.

Arsenal will be looking for a new coach as well if Arteta doesn’t get them over the line. Forget the CL - they should have only one thing on their minds now and that’s winning the title. If Arteta doesn’t, he’s toast.

Let me remind you what I said about him in an early season blog - that he’d be the reason Arsenal didn’t win it. I tipped them this season, but my one reservation was Arteta’s lack of ambition. He’s too conservative. He’s got the tools to win it - arguably the best squad in the PL - but he’s so boringly cautious.

I could understand Arsenal fans having a go after the defeat to Bournemouth. It was driving me mad watching Raya stand around with his foot on the ball. Arsenal are never going to score while he’s doing that.

The lack of ambition reminded me of watching them at City in March 24 when they were the far better side but were happy to settle for a 0-0. My view then was they were ‘scared’ to win it. They didn’t have the belief or the attitude. I really hope that failing doesn’t see them lose out again. They deserve this title.

I do wish the PL had appointed a different ref for the game v City this weekend though. They’ve named ‘Altrincham’s’ Anthony Taylor. Why do they stubbornly do this sort of thing? I’ll repeat what I always say - not for a minute do I think Taylor will make bad decisions on purpose, but what if….? What if he makes a big call and it’s wrong? Why put him under that kind of pressure? It’s Taylor I feel for.

If you’re telling me we don’t have another ref good enough to handle the game of the season, then that’s a further indictment on Howard Webb and the PGMOL.

Can someone please explain to me what de Zerbi has done in his coaching career to land the Spurs job? I want surprised to see him get it, but I just don’t know how he qualifies for it. I guess one reason would be Spurs are running out of options. They’re also running out of time. How? How on earth has it come to this?

I was really pleased to see Leeds get the win at OT that secures their PL place. I said it would be home form that kept them up, but that was an ‘away’ performance as good as they’ve put in. City wasn’t bad earlier in the season, but they got nothing out of that game. I think it was the turning point in their campaign though.

And of course Martinez had to go off. We all know the law concerning the offence he committed. I’ve no idea what Carrick/Ferdinand and co are whining about. The decision was correct.

I loved the Mirror headline after Liverpool’s defeat in Paris last week - ‘One Foot in the Grave’ it read, referring, of course, to Arne Lost. Brilliant. I know Liverpool have had some wonderful nights in Europe at Anfield - I’ve experienced many of them - but I can’t see it happening again tonight (Tuesday). Paris will score, which will make it almost impossible for an ordinary Liverpool side. I hope they win - I always back English sides - but I don’t think they will. And I don’t think Lost will survive if they lose.

How the hell can City be ready to spend £65m on Elliott Anderson? They’re taking the piss. Three years on from 135 charges relating to financial irregularities they’re still spending. It’s nonsense. An absolute joke.

The PL should be ashamed. I’m honoured Liam Gallagher thinks I’m a ‘spunk bubble’ for keep raising this, and he can be sure I’ll keep doing it until finally we have a decision on the alleged irregularities.  Oh - and West Brom are on a charge now, in the same week Leicester’s appeal failed. Why don’t the rules apply to City the same way as they do to every other club?

And in closing - top marks to the owners/operators at Union Berlin who’ve appointed Marie-Louise Eta as first-team coach, making her the Bundegliga’s first woman coach.

At present it’s only an interim apppintment, but it’s an historic one and I hope she lands the job permanently. I’ve argued in this blog for a long time now that it’s time this happened in England. If Eta makes a go of it perhaps it will, sooner rather than later?

Finally, finally. Well done Super Frankie Lampard. What a job done at Coventry. No-one else will say it, but we’re up. Our goal difference is so superior it means we can’t be caught. Next stop - the title please. 🩵.

Klopp II ?

You know we love a bit of speculation. I’ll never go with an absolute flier, but if I sniff a story and I can get somewhere near confirming it I’ll always let you know.

So here’s one. I got a tip over the weekend that both Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards could be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

Hughes, I think, we know definitely is. There’s been a lot of press suggesting he’s got a job in Saudi. But when I was told Edwards could also be on his way again, I really sat up.

I’d have to say both should be on their way. What a mess they made of that massive transfer spend last summer. I’m not saying they got it all wrong, but signing Isak was one of their mistakes

Clearly they felt a loyalty to him, having encouraged him to make the fuss he did about leaving Newcastle, but by the time they got a resolution to the saga, they really didn’t need him. They should’ve walked away from the deal.

Ekitike has established himself as their first choice 9. He’s been terrific. Surely they knew they only needed one or the other? And did they really need Wirtz? He’s been a massive disappointment and was wildly over valued.

You could argue the case for Kerkez, who was terrific at Bournemouth, but Lost doesn’t use him properly. He’s a raiding full-back, not an inverted one. Who got that wrong? And missing out on Geuhi was poor. That deal should’ve been done a lot earlier.

Anyway. I digress. Here’s a couple of things that make what I’m about to say ‘possible’.

Liverpool have put on hold their multi-club project. Why I wonder?

Liverpool fans have been doing the unthinkable this season - leaving games early. Plans to develop the stadium further don’t work if supporters aren’t enjoying what they see and don’t go. I’ve said for a long time, Lost’s brand of football isn’t what they want. They want ‘rock and roll’ not tippy tappy. So……

Lost was smart leaving things well alone when he took over. It was Klopp’s team that won the title last season. This one is his and it’s been coming up short too often. It’s been an awful title defence.

Edwards recommended Lost. He’s his man. If one goes perhaps the other goes as well?

What we also know is Edwards and Klopp don’t get on. Klopp won the first power struggle between the two. I can’t imagine a scenario where they could be at the same club again, so…….

Here’s the rub. And I haven’t had this denied. Instead, what I get when I ask those close to these kind of things is ‘possibly’.

Possibly? Well if I’m a Liverpool fan reading this, I’m drawing the same conclusions as I did before writing. Is it ‘possible’ we’re on the cusp of Klopp II ?

Ironically, he’s back at Anfield this weekend for the legends game. Is it ‘possible’ he’ll feel as comfortable as he once did at the famous arena? I’ll tell you this - it’s inconceivable someone at Anfield hasn’t already asked the question. Watch this space.

When I was a lad and complained to my dad he wasn’t being ‘fair’ he would say ‘there’s no such thing. Fairness means getting your own way. That’s what it really means’. I’ve always thought he had a point.

How many times have any of us said ‘that’s not fair’, with a view to persuading someone to change their mind? Think about it.

So, we’ll go with my dad’s view but add that being ‘fair’ this weekend meant utter stupidity. What on earth was Arteta thinking starting Kepa? The man is an accident waiting to happen. And, of course, the accident happened.

Arteta said he thought it ‘fair’ to start him. Wrong. Kepa is No 2 for a reason. Lucky to be No 2 at Arsenal I’d add. No - Arteta dropped a bollock. It was a final for goodness sake, so play your best team.

I know Guardiola picked Trafford and that surprised me, but he got away with it. Trafford wasn’t ever threatened. Arsenal didn’t show up. What a pity. And all the more confusing because they know they can beat City - especially this City. This group are fragile and nowhere near as good as their predecessors.

So there we have it. Arsenal’s quad bid over a matter of days after City's ended in the CL. I’ll repeat what I’ve always said - it won’t ever be done. There’s a good reason it won’t be - because its impossible.

Another whisper I picked up recently - and I don’t think this will come as a surprise to anybody - I’m told the Saudi’s are looking to sell Newcastle.

Regulars know I’ve been saying for some time the project was over Apparently there are interested parties, but the Saud’s want £1b. £500m is nearer the mark.

Good luck to Andy Carroll in his new job at Dagenham. Enjoy it while you can Andy. I’ve got a feeling it won’t last long.

And Everton have got themselves an official sauce supplier - Heinz. I know. Nor me. 🤷‍♂️. But they certainly had the wind behind them as they smashed Chelsea. Perhaps if Carroll impresses with the Daggers he’ll be in line to replace Rosenior in May? Why not? Someone is going to have to.

Come on Masters - it’s time to talk about City.

It’s incredible isn’t it? Chelsea are handed the biggest ever PL fine and a one-year suspended transfer ban - and quite rightly so, but there’s still nothing - absolutely nothing on the 135 charges (that’s right 135) that City faced. How much longer can this farce be allowed to go on?

It’s been just over three years since City were charged. Three years ffs. In that time not once have the PL uttered a word about what’s coming down the line. Why not? It’s a joke.

It’s also an insult to all of us that watch or work on the product - but especially Everton, Forest and Leicester fans, three clubs who’ve also been punished for irregularities.

It’s time for Richard Masters to front up. He’s either got to tell us he’s impotent because City have got good lawyers and a bottomless pit of money, or nail them. It’s one or the other. And a decision is long overdue. The silence is a disgrace.

Somebody who is making a lot of noise is ‘Arry. You can’t shut him up at the moment. He’s been trying like a bear to get the Spurs job, even telling us that Daniel Levy called him to say he’d have given him the job until the end of the season had he still been at Spurs.

I wonder why I find that to believe? I’m not saying it didn’t happen, but why would Levy call ‘Arry now? Redknapp admitted, when he was claiming he’d taken the call last week, they hadn’t spoken since he left the club in 2012.

The time is fast coming now when I’m going to be able to tell a few tales. I’ve twice had a go at writing a book and been unhappy with the results, so third time lucky eh?

In the meantime I’ll share this one with you, because it’s current.

Not long after Andy and I left Sky we found ourselves sitting on Joe Lewis’s boat lunching. I say boat - it was a ship really. It was moored by Tower Bridge. Reidy and Mark Bowen were with us. It was a fine day and a lot got spoken about. I can’t share all of what that was or the reason we were on board - yet.

But as we were leaving I was asked if I’d go back and speak with Joe and Daniel Levy. ‘Why not?’ I thought. I had a feeling about what they wanted to discuss and it was too good an opportunity to spend time with the secretive Levy and a mythical  guy I’d only ever read about.

It’s no secret that ‘Arry and his boy are not on my Christmas card list and I’m not getting into why that is now either. That's also for another day. But it had to be ‘Arry they wanted to talk about surely?

Anyway, I did go back. When I got on board I was escorted to a gorgeous lounge where Lewis and Levy were waiting. It was ‘Arry they wanted to talk about.

Not for a minute do I believe I told them anything they didn’t already know and I’ve thought about why I was there. As the years have passed I’ve become convinced it was more a case of me adding to - or confirming - what Levy had already told Lewis.

My belief is Levy wanted ‘Arry out of Spurs. Perhaps Lewis didn’t. I don’t know. What I do know is just a matter of weeks later ‘Arry was gone.

The reason I’m telling you this is because - as I’ve said - I find it hard to believe Levy would make a call now, knowing how he felt about his manager back then. Maybe I’m wrong. The whole ‘boat’ story is fascinating and I promise to share it with you one day.

Credit where it’s due - Michael Carrick is making a really good job of his chance at United. They’re not in the title race, but suggesting they might be would’ve been ridiculous before Amorim left.

What they are is in the race for a CL place. I’ve said this before - Carrick is making obvious, simple decisions and treating his players like men. They’ve responded.  Good luck to him.

It’s not getting any better at Liverpool is it? I still think I’m on for a double come the end of the season. Both Liverpool and City will be looking for a new coach.

Chelsea could be as well. Liam Rosenior isn’t short of self-confidence but it looks to me as though he’s starting to feel the pressure of being Chelsea boss.

What sort of nonsense was that when he tried to explain how Paul Tierney ended up in the middle of their huddle? ‘My players made a decision they wanted to be around the ball’. He said. Why?

He went on ‘….to respect the ball’. What? ‘Nurse…..’. And Tierney was weak. He should’ve told them to fuck off and huddle somewhere else.

IFR. No teeth. No point.

This is going to be very interesting. I’m grateful to the excellent Martin Ziegler of The Times for his reporting today or I wouldn’t be aware of this story.

The toothless and pointless independent football regulator is about to get its first real test.

Why? Because Morcambe, who’ve been in almost terminal decline for the past 18 months or so, have just gone and dug themselves another huge hole.

They’ve appointed Steve Dewsnip as their new chief operating officer. Steve Who? Dewsnip, a one-time director of the Providence Investment Fund, which Ziegler reports collapsed in 2016, leaving investors £37m out of pocket.

As a result Dewsnip was banned by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission ‘from performing any function on behalf of a regulated entity’. I think we can draw our own conclusions about what they really wanted to say, but legally couldn’t.

So Dewsnip has to step away from the job at Morcambe then? Nope. Not yet - maybe not at all. So far the IFR has failed to open a formal investigation. Why not? Your guess is as good as mine

I was never an advocate of the IFR. What can it really achieve? Who would it stop - could it stop - from owning a football club? And on what basis? But it can stop Dewsnip from getting involved at Morcambe surely? Their fans have been put through the wringer these past few months.

As for the IFR - had it been in existence would it have stopped Dejphon Chansiri from buying Sheff Weds in 2015, when the Thai business turned up at Hillsboro with bucket loads of money, optimism and promise?

Who could’ve predicted how his time at Weds would end? But when it did - and Weds slipped into administration last year, there was uproar, with fans and journo’s alike all of the view if the IFR had been around to stop Chansiri the meltdown would never have happened. What nonsense. They wouldn’t have stopped him.

Crystal balls are in short supply. No-one can predict how these things will turn out. And there are so many sad endings to a lot of promise when new owners come in right across the game. Bury is another that comes instantly to mind. 

The IFR can’t possibly predict where or when things will go wrong, but they’ve got one in front of them right now that looks an open and shut case. Let’s hope they do the right thing, but don’t hold your breath. As for the shambles at Weds - nothing. They’ve done absolutely nothing. Because they can’t.

I’m glad the new extended C’ship play-offs got the nod last week. That league is pure class - a real treat to watch. We know one big reason why - we’ve discussed it before - no VAR.

The play-offs can be cruel, but what a way to go up if you make it - at Wembley, in front of a full house.

Extending the clubs involved keeps the season alive longer - reducing dead rubbers. It also increases valuable broadcasting rights. It also gives more clubs a genuine chance to have a crack at promotion to the PL.

Rick Parry, chairman of the FL, should be applauded again for getting this through. Parry, the first chairman of the PL, remains the games foremost modern day executive.

Quick question. When was the last time you saw a ref blow his whistle to signal a goal kick should be taken? No. Nor me. So why was Fulham’s goal disallowed? Here are the official words covering the incident that happened at The Cottage.

‘If, when a goal kick is taken, any opponents are inside the penalty area because they did not have time to leave, the referee allows play to continue. If an opponent who is in the penalty area when the goal kick is taken, or enters the penalty area before the ball is in play, touches or challenges for the ball before it is in play, the goal kick is retaken’.

Fulham made no attempt to play the ball. The ball wasn’t moving. I’ve checked time and again. I’m afraid Jarred Gillett covered for a goalkeeping error and once again Fulham were denied by poor officiating and technology.

Big congrats to Port Vale. Top work guys. And Nigel Clough’s Mansfield can feel proud of themselves.

Do you remember Guardiola whining about the late Saturday ko v Newcastle a couple of weeks ago? I said then it’ll be interesting to see how many of what might be regarded as his first choice XI would start.

This was his team - Trafford. Nunes Stones Husanov Ake. Gonzalez- Iglesias O’Reilly. Savinho Reijnders Doku. Marmoush. So - three. Maybe four. As I thought - so what was the problem? Stop moaning Guardiola. No other coach has the riches you’ve got. Get on with it.