Thanks for reading today. Time to wrap up here, but I’ll leave you with some required reading in the run-up to an excellent-sounding weekend. Have a good one!
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Unexpected Sebastian Coe content: Lord Coe, the World Athletics president, apparently has time to chair a taskforce to look into a new stadium for Manchester United.
Coe said: “Throughout my career in sport, I have seen the potential for stadiums to become focal points for strong communities and catalysts for social and economic development.
“That was certainly true of the venues we built in east London for the 2012 Olympics, and we are overdue a project of similar scale and ambition in the north of England. I am honoured to have this opportunity to share my experience in support of this tremendously exciting project.”
I swear to God it feels like 10 minutes ago that he pulled out of the 800m final at the Commonwealth Games.
Jamie Jackson reports …
More Liverpool v Man City buildup: Here’s Will Unwin on Guardiola straight-batting as the naughty football media try and bait him on on Alexander-Arnold’s comments …
Important Phil Brown content: No, stop everything – it’s Phil Brown FFS. Ben Fisher sat down with [checks notes] Kidderminster’s manager to talk swearing, coaching in India and that image from his Hull days that follows him everywhere.
Wolves v Fulham: Marco Silva hopes to build on back-to-back wins at Molineux tomorrow, following eye-catching victories over Manchester United and Brighton.
We’re getting more consistent, which is really important and something which is really difficult at this level. Two wins in a row, and the way we did it, gave us confidence and the mood has been growing and getting better every week. And when you go into this direction you always want more. The third in a row is something we have not done so far, so it is clear the challenge for the next one. It would be another step forward, it is our ambition. We also want to improve our away form by being more solid and consistent.”
Silva spoke warmly of Rodrigo Muniz, after the 22-year-old forward made it five goals in five games against Brighton …
He’s showing the same potential I saw when I signed him from Brazil. It is a process for a young striker who needs time and confidence. He has got the chance and now he’s showing his quality and I’m really pleased for him. He’s a very good boy, he’s working hard, he’s trying to learn everything and now he’s stepped up. We have to keep supporting him and developing him more because the potential is there.”
Raúl Jiménez is training again after missing a month with a hamstring injury, but is thought to be out of contention to feature. Midfielder João Palhinha is back in the fray after being suspended for two games for racking up 10 yellow cards this season.
Of Manchester United, Dyche said:
They’re still a good outfit, they’ve still got some very strong players, we know that. So there are certainly no gimmes at Old Trafford.
When I got here there was a load of noise about a lot of things but especially the away form. We’ve somewhat corrected that – still work to be done – and that’s kind of softened down the home form. I think the level of performance overall has been pretty decent. Finding the moments that make those decent performances into wins, that’s the trickiest part and that’s the most important part.”
Defensive midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye is an injury doubt for Everton after a groin injury, while Arnaut Danjuma is definitely out after sustaining ankle ligament damage.
Manchester United v Everton: Sean Dyche has been in pleasingly defiant mood before tomorrow’s early Premier League game, as he works towards potentially taking making any future points deduction irrelevant where the race to avoid relegation is concerned.
I couldn’t be more proud of the players here. From what they’ve been through over the past few seasons. When I got here it was just constant negativity everywhere. They managed to somewhat change that, then we get 10 points taken away, then they went: ‘Right, let’s get on with it,’ got on with it again, then we get six points taken away and four given back, still getting on with it, still working hard in training, still working hard for the badge, the shirt, myself, the club.
People can go under in these circumstances. Our group here just continually work properly on the training ground, work properly for each other, take the games on. That’s the mentality we want, through thick and thin, that’s the right mentality for this football club in my opinion.”
More from Guardiola, who has understandably been fielding questions about Jürgen Klopp …
From the way he makes his teams play football, you always learn. It was always a pleasure to play against him and it will be on Sunday too.
On their relationship and the potential for future meetings on or away from the touchline, he added …
We might play in the FA Cup and, the future, nobody knows. He’s young, I’m young, so I don’t know. Sometimes [we meet] in the corridor before press conferences … when we were honoured in the Hall of Fame years ago we spent time with families but, in terms of lunch or dinners, it never happened. I think it’s going to happen sooner or later, I would love it but we’ll see.”
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St James' Park to host Lionesses for the first time
Lionesses news: St James’ Park and Carrow Road will join Wembley in hosting England Women’s Euro 2025 qualifying games, the FA has announced. Newcastle’s ground has never hosted the Lionesses before.
England’s A3 fixtures and home venues are:
5 April Sweden (home – Wembley)
9 April Republic of Ireland (away)
31 May France (home – St James’ Park)
4 June France (away)
12 July Republic of Ireland (home – Carrow Road)
16 July Sweden (away)
Manager Sarina Wiegman said: “It’s going to be an exciting qualification campaign against three top opponents. I’m sure the fans are looking forward to the games and it’s really nice that we’re playing our three home games in really special venues in different parts of England.
“Wherever we play in the country we have such fantastic support and I’m sure these games in London, Newcastle and Norwich will be no different. We will need to show up and perform but there’s no doubt the fans can help us.”
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Rangers fan dies in ‘tragic incident’ after Benfica game
A Rangers fan has died in Lisbon after the club’s European match. Thomas McAllister was in Portugal for the Glasgow club’s Europa League tie with Benfica on Thursday night, but later died.
Rangers issued a statement on Friday pledging to maintain “constant contact with both the Portuguese and British authorities over this tragic incident”, and offering condolences to the family and friends of Mr McAllister, who was believed to be aged in his mid-20s.
Rangers’ chief executive’, James Bisgrove, said: “On behalf of the club, I want to pass on my sincere condolences to Thomas’s loved ones, family and his friends. This news has hit everyone at the club extremely hard, as I am sure it will all of our supporters. PA Media
In team news … Glasner offered an encouraging update on Eberechi Eze, who went off after scoring against Spurs last Saturday. It was his first appearance in three weeks after a hamstring injury. The Palace manager said …
Eze did every session from the first until the last minute – he is fit. He looks very good and, of course, his goal gives him more confidence. He was able to play 65 minutes without any problems, so he will play more minutes in this game because everything was fine with him.”
Teenage forward Matheus Franca will miss out against Luton, however, with a groin problem.
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Crystal Palace v Luton: Paul Glasner is wary of “aggressive” Luton, who sound up for it tomorrow judging by Rob Edwards’ earlier testimony.
In this moment of the season, everybody needs points for reaching their goals. The top of the league, everywhere, going for European places, not getting relegated – every team needs points.
They are very physical, very aggressive in scoring, and they also have their way of playing that made them successful for many years, and you won’t change it from one week to another. So we expect them to play like they always play – with a lot of physicality, a lot of intensity, always pressing, always duels, but of course, then it’s up to us to create space.”
West Ham v Burnley buildup: Vincent Kompany has been talking in the run-up to Sunday’s game, with his side only second bottom of the Premier League thanks to Sheffield United’s staggering -50 goal difference.
Kompany’s side are winless since just before Christmas, with only two points from nine league games, and on a run of four straight losses. Despite that, they bossed possession in defeat by Bournemouth … but still lost 2-0. Kompany is taking heart from performances despite the dismal outcomes.
From my side, I see a tremendous amount of courage in a team.
When you get beaten down like it was a bit after the Palace game [where Burnley lost 3-0 and ended with 10 men], you build your energy back up and show what we did against Bournemouth. We had the performance and 20 shots, but we were also aggressive in duels all over the pitch.To re-bring that energy at this stage of the season, when we’ve had so many tough weekends, that’s special and says something about the team. I know results do come from these type of showings and for teams that can be alive in moments like this. It’s just not happened, and that’s the truth we have to deal with.”
Midfielder Josh Brownhill returns to the fold after his sending off against Crystal Palace.
Today’s Football Daily is in. John Brewin, who kicked off this here blog today, has surprisingly gone in on tonight’s Cymru Premier clash between Haverfordwest and Penybont.
Oh, hang on, hang on … he must have thought better of it. It’s on Klopp v Pep after all.
Rodgers doubles down on criticism of officials despite charge
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has no regrets over his criticism of the match officials following last Sunday’s defeat by Hearts after being hit with a Scottish Football Association disciplinary charge.
Rodgers faces a hearing on 28 March after being accused of breaching a rule which forbids criticising match officials “in such a way as to indicate bias or incompetence”. He had claimed the “level of incompetence” made him worry for the game as he criticised the displays of referee Don Robertson and video assistant John Beaton in particular, with Yang Hyun-jun’s red card and a penalty for handball against Tomoki Iwata the key complaints.
He said: “My job is to defend the team, defend the club and that’s what we will do in this case. We will defend it vigorously and when the date comes we will go from there. I will sit down with the club and the lawyers and we will look at it from there.”
Rodgers added: “It was my observations over many games, primarily around the inconsistency of decisions. I never talk so much about referees and haven’t done over the course of my career. I understand they make mistakes. But I felt the ones last week were clear, clear errors.” PA Media
I’m going to hop off and leave you in the company of Stuart Goodwin. Thanks for tuning in!
Moyes: Phillips aiming to get back to Leeds standards
David Moyes has been talking about Kalvin Phillips, who was signed on loan from Manchester City in January but has had a tough time of it so far in London; he was sent off against Nottingham Forest last month. Here’s what the West Ham manager said, according to PA:
He doesn’t need to improve, he just needed game time. The sending-off set him back a bit just as he was getting up and running. Kalvin will continue to improve the more game time he gets and he is showing that at the moment. He’s a great boy to work with and he is looking to get back to the standard he set when he was with Leeds United.
Will Unwin has more from Erik ten Hag’s press conference ahead of Manchester United’s game with Everton. “The project is going in the right direction when we have the players available,” he insists.
Klopp: Guardiola 'the best manager in the world'
Some more words from Jürgen Klopp ahead of potentially his final showdown with Pep Guardiola, as reported by PA:
Pep is the best manager in the world. I have a really good life being not even close to that. I don’t know how could I judge managers from the past but in my lifetime he’s the outstanding manager. I see excellence when I face it and Pep is definitely that.
I was never frustrated, I knew round about 3,000 footballers who were better than me and I still loved the game; the others who were better than me, I didn’t know them.
I just got told I have a positive record against Pep ... I have no clue how that happened to be honest. It made me a better manager trying to find solutions. I know I’m quite good at what I’m doing as well, I don’t want to sound like, ‘Oh my God, I’m just happy to be here’, but you ask me about the best: he’s the best. Bam.
“What horrible timing,” writes Thomas Black. “This manager of the month award is going to completely derail Arsenal’s title challenge, probably starting at Brentford. Isn’t it a notable poisoned chalice?” Is it? Though I’ve just had a look at the winners and Pep Guardiola hasn’t won it since December 2021! Weird.
Thomas Frank is asked about Ivan Toney being linked with a move to Arsenal, who Brentford will take on tomorrow.
There’s a lot of rumours about a lot of things. I know Ivan very well and he’s focusing on one thing: perform, do everything to help the team, hopefully score a few goals and that’ll be it.
Here’s a bit of history: Sunny Singh Gill is all set to become the first British South Asian to ref a Premier League game when Crystal Palace meet Luton tomorrow. Louise Taylor has the story.
Postecoglou: 'I don't see the sense in trying to aim for something other than No.1'
Asked about the possibility that Spurs could qualify for the Champions League this year even if they finish fifth – co-efficients and all that – Ange Postecoglou isn’t settling for aiming so low.
I don’t see the sense in trying to aim for something other than No. 1. I’ve said all along, I’m in no desperation to get something just for comfort or insurance. I’m here to create a team that wins things. And for me it defies logic, I’m just not built that way to aim for anything other than the top.
It doesn’t mean you’re always going to get there but I’m not going to settle for anything other than that. If I fall short that’s on me. But I’m not going to sit here and try to create a scenario where we’re happy with anything other than being the best.
Ten Hag: Rasmus Højlund set for Liverpool return
They’ve got Everton this weekend but Erik ten Hag has some good news ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool next week: Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Rasmus Højlund are set to return then.
Mason Mount is in “a good spell” and Ten Hag reckons he’ll be back after this month’s international break. In the short-term, Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford are fit for tomorrow’s match after coming off during the Manchester derby.
Pep Guardiola on meeting Klopp again: 'He's young, I'm young'
Guardiola’s having a chat and can’t be bothered to add to the supposed furore regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s comments:
I wish him a speedy recovery and he come back to the pitch as soon as possible.
He’s asked about whether he thinks this could be his final clash with Jürgen Klopp:
I don’t think so. We could play FA Cup in the future. He’s young. I’m young … I respect completely his decision. I spoke with him and had the feeling that he will be back sooner than later. He loves football, his passion is there.
Jürgen Klopp’s been chatting ahead of the big one: Sunday, City, a point between them. He’s looking dapper in a white tracksuit top.
On the support that’ll come from the Anfield crowd:
The atmosphere our people can create, am I allowed to say it’s second to none or is anybody offended by that? It’s really good and energising, massive and these are the games you want to play, these are the games you want to get the ticket to the stadium, these are the games you want tow watch, and yes Anfield for us is massive, massive factor.
He says the thing with Pep isn’t “a rivalry”. He adds:
We are both pretty competitive, we both want to win football games. If we meet in the future it’ll be full of respect.
More Crystal Palace v Luton buildup: Last time out the third-bottom Hatters hauled themselves back from 2-0 down against Villa, before succumbing to a late sucker-punch. Luton manager Rob Edwards was asked to reflect …
There’s elements of bad luck but we’ve got to look at ourselves … we are where we are.
It’s not difficult to pick the lads up from those disappointments – we performed really, really well. Last week we pushed Aston Villa all the way. We played so well – we can take a lot of the good things from it. We know we need to improve in certain areas.
We lost Amari’i [Bell] – that looks like a lengthy hamstring [absence], it’s the other hamstring to the one he was feeling. Joe Johnson has got glandular fever. He’s out for a few weeks – he needs to rest up and get better. The only one who’s looking like being in and around it is [Gabriel] Osho – we’ll give him as much time as possible going into this weekend.
We’re going to give everything and try and win. We look a threat at one end of the pitch … but we’re bottom three for conceding. I’ve said before: zeroes and ones can get you results.”
Taha Hashim now leaps into the fray in this blog, with most Premier League managers now having mics thrust in their faces.
Wolves’ Gary O’Neil has been up. He broke off from preparations for his side’s game at home to Fulham tomorrow to placate the hungry media machine …
I love it here. I love everything that we’re trying to do – even the challenges … trying to change the model financially. I’ve loved the reception I’ve got from the fans.
He was asked about speculation about his future and talk that he’s in the frame for the league’s manager of the season award.
I’m not aware of other jobs I’ve been linked with. I’m not available … I’m doing the job I want to be doing. I love what we’re trying to achieve. I hate the fact that people keep asking me about the manager of the season stuff because I’ve got over a quarter of it left. If I lose the next 12 games then I’ll be nowhere near it. It’s very, very premature to talk about how the season’s gone and what might happen after it.
Meanwhile, he is closing in on a new deal with the club, as Ben Fisher reports …
Crystal Palace v Luton tomorrow … not just a key-looking game in the context of the relegation fight – Selhurst Park will also play host to a splendid piece of history.
Sunny Singh Gill will become the first British South Asian to referee a Premier League game. Louise Taylor reports …
'I don't think he knows this feeling': Haaland responds to Alexander-Arnold comments
In other Liverpool v City news … Trent Alexander-Arnold spoke to 442 in the runup to the game, where he said: “Looking back on this era, although they’ve [City] won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our fanbase because of the situations at both clubs, financially.”
Sky Sports have run these comments by City’s resident xG underminer Erling Haaland, who echoed Van Dijk’s sentiments as he looks forward to a “special game” …
If he wants to say that, OK. I’ve been here one year and I won the treble – and that was quite a nice feeling. I don’t think he knows exactly this feeling.
They can talk as much as they want … he can talk as much as he wants.
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More from Van Dijk. The defender was keen to point out that there are a fair few games still to come beyond Sunday, and its framing as a title decider might be a little premature …
There’s too long to go. Obviously it is a massive game, you can’t deny that. There will be a lot of eyes on it but we have one aim and that’s to try to win the game. We are at home and we are looking forward to the big challenge but the big opportunity as well.
We want to get a good result. That’s the only thing we will try and do, not going out there to make statements. But we know we are going to face a team which is very good and it will be tough.”
Van Dijk 'looking forward' to battle with Haaland
Liverpool defensive linchpin Virgil van Dijk has been speaking. In the run-up to Sunday’s moderately enormous game against Manchester City, the Netherlands international said …
It’s obviously going to be a massive game for both sides and I’m really looking forward to the challenge of facing the treble winners. It’s always good to come up against one of the best and most in-form strikers in the world.
He is a natural goalscorer, he has proven it and his numbers are speaking for themselves so it will be a tough afternoon but it’s a battle I am looking forward to.
I’ve caused him problems, he’s caused me problems – that’s how it works. These battles are always tough. But like I said I think he is looking forward to it and I’m looking forward to it.”
Wilder’s side are 11 points behind Nottingham Forest, who currently hold 17th – aka The Point Of Safety. He added of his side’s prospects of remaining in the Premier League …
There’s still some life in us. I’ve not been told we’re relegated yet. We will be if we continue to play like we did for half an hour or 40 minutes like we did against Arsenal. That will happen pretty quickly. So that’s got to be our challenge – for that not to happen.”
Sheffield United are enduring a difficult time back in England’s top tier. Despite being bottom with 13 points from 27 games and a goal difference of -50, Chris Wilder is still looking ahead, and talks are planned with the club’s owner, Prince Abdullah.
Back in December, Abdullah described Wilder as “the best guy on planet Earth to take over the club” when he replaced Paul Heckingbottom. Now Wilder says “good things are happening” off the pitch. As he prepares for his side’s visit to Bournemouth tomorrow, the Blades manager added:
I’m going out to Riyadh next week for meetings with the owners, for four or five days, so I’m looking forward to speaking with him then. He’s positive and he’s supportive. [Chief executive] Stephen Bettis has been positive and supportive as well.
They understand the situation that we’re in. They’re not liking the situation and I didn’t expect them to. We all take that responsibility and we’re all hurting, regardless of whether the owner is at every game. He watches diligently and we speak frequently. So he’s keen to get stuff moving and planning.”
More from Arteta. On-loan keeper David Raya is ineligible to feature against his parent club, so assuming Aaron Ramsdale makes it through the warm-up unscathed, he’ll rack up his sixth league start of the campaign.
Despite the Englishman playing second fiddle to Raya in the league, Arteta says he is happy to have him.
The connection on a personal level goes two ways pretty much and I’m really happy that we made the call as a club to sign him. It was very controversial to start with but we wanted to change his career in a powerful way and we’re really happy.”
Of his side’s form, Arteta added:
It’s great because obviously it shows the quality and the way that the team is showing. It shows the way we’re scoring the goals as well, not only the manner but the personnel as well which is a really positive thing to see. Defensively we’re conceding very little too so those two things together are powerful to get results, consistency and we want more.”
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Arteta named manager of the month
Mikel Arteta has been named as February’s Premier League manager of the month. Last month the Gunners managed four straight league wins, with an aggregate score of 18-2. They beat Liverpool 3-1 in that run and could overhaul Jürgen Klopp’s side for at least a day with victory tomorrow.
Speaking as he prepares his side to host Brentford, Arteta said: “It’s a great honour in this league to get recognised in this way so I want to say thank you to the team and the staff for always being supportive and making this happen.”
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Speaking of Howe, a bit more from the Newcastle manager. He was asked about Anthony Gordon’s England prospects …
I don’t know how close he is - that’s for Gareth [Southgate] to talk about, not me. But his form this season has been consistent and I think that is what Gareth will be looking for, consistent performances above a certain level.
He will be looking for goals and assists from his wingers, and he’s delivered that as well. I think he’s in a really good place.
I would say to him, don’t focus on England, focus on your club form. Keep doing the right things with us and everything else will take care of itself.
Anthony has done that and I don’t think he’s been distracted at any time. He’s kept looking at the short term and is very motivated to play every minute of every game, which I love about him. His career is in a good place.”
Those clicking in for important words from Premier League managers … Eddie Howe was today’s outlier, speaking in early morn GMT. Microphones and dictaphones elsewhere will be hot from circa 1pm.
Many thanks John, good day readers. I absolutely promise I won’t make my stint all about me, but six and a bit years ago I took part in something called The Famous Canadian Beer Run. It was less messy than it sounds, but ever since then there’s a splendid, small-brewery, ruby-coloured drop I’ve forgotten the name of that I wearily drank some of/sloshed down my front at the end. If anyone has any idea what it might have been, see above for contact details.
This is a slightly roundabout way of me introducing Joseph Lowery’s early-season MLS power rankings. To be fair the run was in the shadow of Toronto FC’s BMO Field home …
That’s my morning run done, now to hand over to the excellent Stuart Goodwin.
With international week looming in a fortnight, Iceland’s Euro qualifier versus Israel comes into sharp focus. Iceland’s manager, Åge Hareide, the Norwegian who has also managed Denmark has had this to say.
The Iceland manager on playing Israel later this month in the Euro 2024 play-offs. Via @visir_is. pic.twitter.com/Xp3jghdUA8
— Sam Kunti (@samindrakunti) March 7, 2024
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Max Rushden on taking a battering from the critics. We attempted to redress the balance on the next pod. It wasn’t a great success.
Fancy some quiz action? It’s a tough one this week.
Sporting director transfer latest: there’s a lot of it about these days.
Fenway Sports Group’s principal owner, John W Henry, and president, Mike Gordon, were among the senior executives who held talks with Edwards about returning to the club he left in 2022. The 44-year-old, a consultant at the sports advisory business Ludonautics, is regarded by FSG as the ideal candidate to lead Liverpool’s transition when Klopp steps down after nine hugely successful years as manager this summer. However, the club’s owners will need to offer a more powerful role than sporting director to tempt Edwards back.
Edwards has rejected numerous approaches from clubs, including Chelsea, since ending a 10-year association with Liverpool and playing a key role in the club’s transformation under Klopp. He turned down an initial approach from FSG in January regarding resuming his career as Liverpool’s sporting director and is likely to want total control in a more far-reaching position, such as head of football operations, to accept the invitation to return.
Welch inducted into Hall of Fame
Rebecca Welch, the first woman to referee a Premier League match, is to be inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame.
The 40-year-old made history when she was selected to take charge of the Fulham v Burnley game on December 23. She was also the referee for the Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest fixture last month.
Welch will become the first female referee to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, with the museum confirming her induction on International Women’s Day.
“It’s quite overwhelming, I was very honoured to be asked,” Welch said. “My journey started 13 years ago and now here I am having refereed in one of the biggest leagues in the world, being inducted to the Hall of Fame alongside legends of the game, it doesn’t feel real to me. It’s great for young boys and young girls to see female representation at the top of the game because it makes them believe that they can be there as well.”
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Newcastle will be without Kieran Trippier at Chelsea on Monday, and he will miss England duty, too. Eddie Howe has been speaking this morning: “We are running out of games and the season seems like it has gone so quickly, we are here now with minimal games left and we are trying to maximise on every game.
“We have a bit of form behind us and we are still trying to recapture our best performance levels. We have high expectations of ourselves and we are not where we want to be, but hopefully we can get back to 100% as quickly as possible.”
The big talking point for West Ham’s game at Freiburg was the penalty that never was.
West Ham are denied a penalty in injury time ❌
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 7, 2024
Should VAR have given the handball?#UEL pic.twitter.com/aKYDC6oWZj
One of Roberto de Zerbi’s pat responses is to point to the limitations and inexperience of his Brighton team. He did just that after that 4-0 loss to Roma.
“We played our game. We gave our best. Maybe our best now is this performance. I think Roma is much better in terms of experience to play this type of game and we suffer a lot. Too much I think.
“We are not used to playing this competition and today we paid everything. We paid [for] a squad not so long, we paid to play away in this stadium, we paid with too many injured players and for us, it is the first time so we have to improve.
“We have to progress and if we want to compete in this level, from the owner to the coach to the players we have to progress to reach one level higher.”
Salient plotlines as the 2024 campaign unfurls are the first full season of Lionel Messi in Miami, the controversial withdrawal of most MLS clubs from the US Open Cup and the use of replacement referees because of a labor dispute.
For the first of these, the league’s official channels very much have you covered. But fans watching MLS on Apple TV, which streams every match, would learn little about the other two newsworthy narratives. Which is just how the league wants it.
Great piece from Tom Dart on Apple TV as MLS Pravda.
Kelly Simmons has written a fine piece on the Women’s FA Cup. Perhaps best to use her tweet for her reasons for writing it.
I’ve written about the need for focus on the @AdobeWFACup
— Kelly Simmons OBE (@KellySimmo1) March 8, 2024
The last round of the men’s fa cup saw 4 live games on BBC/ITV and this weekend’s Women’s QFs sees none! ( one on bbc iPlayer)
Time for new thinking? https://t.co/uA0k07NdMS
There is another world, to quote Morrissey. There is a better world. And that might just be the Championship, its rule run over by our expert in this large field, Ben Fisher.
There are issues of finance at hand there, too, of course.
Modern football, eh?
Just how poor are Liverpool compared to City?
Liverpool’s turnover was £594m.
Here’s our traditional curtain-raiser for the weekend’s action.
Some element of beef before the big one? Yeah, sort of, after Erling Haaland kissed off to a remark from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Trent, speaking to 442 mag: ““Looking back on this era, although [City] have won more titles than us and have probably been more successful, our trophies will mean more to us and our fan base because of the situations at both clubs financially.”
“How both clubs have built their teams and the manner in which we’ve done it, probably means more to our fans. It’s tough. We’re up against a machine that’s built to win -- that’s the simplest way to describe City and their organisation.”
Haaland, speaking to Sky Sports: “nice feeling, I don’t think he knows exactly this feelings. So yeah, that is what I felt last season and it was quite nice. They can talk as much as they want, or he can talk as much as he wants. I don’t know why he does that, but I do not mind.”
Preamble
Morning, all. Klopp v Guardiola for the last time at Anfield. That’s about the size of it. This is massive. Plenty of that to come through the day, as well as buildup to the rest of the Premier League weekend. It could be a big one at either end of the table. Also, some reaction to last night’s Europa League: when is a penalty not a penalty, and just how did Roberto De Zerbi think his return to Italy went? Plus breaking news throughout the day from me and the team. Join me.
