5 months ago
Arsenal
Story truthful acold It would beryllium beautiful churlish to beryllium thing different than super-chuffed, pinch those displays complete Bayern Munich and our neighbours among nan highlights. But, arsenic we know, location are nary prizes for being apical astatine Christmas. Our occurrence truthful acold has mostly been owed to our protect resilience; it’s nan astir talented squad we’ve had successful galore a satellite but we’ve only shone going guardant successful fits and spurts. Find that spark connected a accordant ground and we really will beryllium firing.
Happy pinch nan manager? It’s nary mean feat to support a contented squad pinch truthful galore straining astatine nan leash for crippled time. Supposedly it’s easy erstwhile you are winning, but you only person to spot nan turmoil elsewhere to admit Arteta’s efforts.
We will decorativeness … Surely we’ve seen nan backmost of our depressing sojourn arsenic nan bridesmaid? It’s clip to beryllium nan bride. First.
What we request successful January … Fresh legs ne'er spell amiss, but of much value is nan return from wounded of Gabriel and Havertz. There will beryllium plentifulness of liking successful Bournemouth’s Semenyo, and Bayern’s Lennart Karl looks an breathtaking prospect, but frankly I’m much concerned pinch making nan astir of nan players we already have. And pinch uncovering nan look that mightiness unlock Gyökeres’s scoring potential.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … The glorious chutzpah of teen Myles Lewis-Skelly mimicking Haaland’s lotus extremity ceremony while we thrashed Manchester City 5-1 successful February. That and nan show of Spurs players outnumbering their remaining fans astatine nan Clock End while we serenaded them pinch nan Eberechi Eze “crying astatine nan Lane” opus aft his derby hat-trick.
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Bernard Azulay onlinegooner.com; @GoonerN5
Aston Villa
Story truthful acold To beryllium clear successful 3rd aft a mendacious start, winning each week pinch a lengthening montage of worldies, is astir arsenic joyful arsenic it gets. Rogers is simply a dainty to watch: his goals are truthful axenic that not moreover VAR tin get successful nan way. It would, however, beryllium incorrect to propose that it’s been thing but a squad effort. From No 23 to No 11 they’ve each had moments to savour and our chair is arsenic beardown arsenic it’s been for years. There’s a awesome “in it together” vibe: we’ve trailed in, and past won, almost each distant crippled of late. “Bouncing Back” is genuinely nan worldly of heroes.
Happy pinch nan manager? Just a bit! Unai always acknowledgment nan fans for their support which is nice, but much important is nan footballing advancement we’ve made, some collectively and man for man. He has someway created a settled first squad and title for places astatine nan aforesaid time. The coat-throwing extremity ceremony needs activity but who cares, he’s impervious that awesome guidance tin trump almost anything.
We will decorativeness … It would beryllium very Brummie to presume it’ll each autumn isolated – and it might. But if nan spine stays fresh past we tin decidedly travel 5th and person a agelong tally successful nan Europa League. Either measurement I’m hoping to move Thursdays for Wednesdays adjacent year.
What we request successful January … The awesome franchises ever switch their superstars earlier they’ve near truthful a fewer “What person we bought him for?” signings would beryllium fine. Harvey Elliott is, according to my daughter, a charming autograph signer, but nowadays that’s not capable connected its ain truthful assuming he goes backmost to Liverpool, if we tin find a Rashford equivalent, past we tin really dream.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … My watch didn’t conscionable springiness a “loud situation warning” erstwhile Buendía scored against Arsenal, it auto-booked a sojourn to nan receptor clinic. To apical that infinitesimal disconnected pinch nan footage of nan floor-pounding Gunners was sweet: hilarious payback for each nan delirium they springiness Martínez.
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Jonathan Pritchard
Bournemouth
Story truthful acold We started outstandingly well, terrifying Liverpool successful a constrictive opening crippled conclusion and past going unbeaten successful nan convention until November. But defeats astatine Man City, Villa and Sunderland and past astatine location to Everton – and painfully dropping points against West Ham, United distant and Burnley – put a wholly different complexion connected it. And we commencement 2026 connected nan backmost of a 4-1 conclusion astatine Brentford, via nan worst first-half capacity of nan season. We’re successful a spiral, pinch cardinal players either injured aliases showing small consistency. Can we person nan Kluivert, Evanilson and Christie from past play back, please? The recently assembled backmost 4 is besides nether unit and needs to scope nan levels of nan first 10 weeks again. When Semenyo plays good truthful do we – he tin beryllium a force, tin of world-class goals (Liverpool, Fulham, Leeds, United), but besides invisible astatine times (Villa away). His seemingly inevitable departure successful nan January model will beryllium a blow.
Happy pinch nan manager? Iraola remains a courageous genius, superb astatine in-game guidance – spot Fulham astatine location wherever his bold tactical choices changed a crippled we were losing into a 3-1 win. Just motion nan statement extension. Please.
We will decorativeness … 15th. But we request a large transportation window.
What we request successful January … Central protect reinforcements, a keeper to put unit connected Petrovic, midfield productivity – Harvey Elliott, who hasn’t featured overmuch for Villa, could beryllium an asset. And where’s nan Semenyo replacement going to travel from? We’re emotion vulnerable and depleted.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Seeing nan ref springiness Evanilson a yellowish successful our location lucifer against Man United erstwhile we were 2-1 up, only for a group of blokes 100 miles distant watching a TV to overrule him and determine it’s a red, which led to america conceding late. Then, a fewer days later, a group of blokes 100 miles distant watched nan TV again only to determine its really not a red. Classic VAR.
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Jeff Hayward Back of nan Net, nan AFC Bournemouth Fan’s Podcast.
Brentford
Story truthful acold After what tin only beryllium described arsenic a sadistic commencement – losing Thomas Frank, a raft of cardinal backroom staff, 2 strikers pinch 40 goals betwixt them, our skipper and a keeper – sitting 12th connected Christmas Day and apical 10 for New Year is remarkable. This is our champion mid-season grounds since coming into nan Premier League pinch nan highest number of points (26) and wins (eight), eclipsing nan play nether Frank who had nan likes of Mbeumo, Toney and Wissa firing connected each cylinders. Igor Thiago being nan 2nd apical striker down Haaland is bonkers, and instrumentality favourite Michael Kayode continues to prima pinch his unorthodox runs retired of defence, his protect prowess and agelong throws.
Happy pinch nan manager? Yes, he has decidedly exceeded expectations. Some of nan matches person been functional alternatively than expressive aliases move and he has taken a spot of condolences from those who consciousness he is excessively risk-averse, but he is learning connected nan occupation pinch diminished resources, and showing we can move it connected astatine times. In immoderate of our wins, nan shot has been sensational.
We will decorativeness … I predicted 14th earlier nan start, and I’m sticking pinch it.
What we request successful January … We ne'er replaced Wissa’s 19 goals aft he slithered disconnected to Newcastle connected nan last time of nan window, leaving money successful nan slope but a clear spread connected nan pitch. If Thiago is injured, location are fewer replacement options. The vexation among supporters is that location are respective highly rated midfielders and attacking young players coming done who galore dream tin capable nan imaginative void, yet for various reasons they person been afforded constricted crippled time. With nary clear consciousness of which, if any, will make nan breakthrough, it’s difficult to foretell wherever Brentford will look to strengthen. That being said, it’s difficult to spot america making signings successful January. We usually only move successful this model if we’re chasing to deed nan adjacent level aliases an unexpected gem becomes available, arsenic was nan lawsuit pinch Kayode and Schade. This play progressively feels for illustration a long, nine-month pre-season – mentation for a large push adjacent season.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Donald Trump going afloat John Terry connected nan podium during Chelsea’s trophy assistance astatine nan Club World Cup was conscionable ridiculous. I’m really disappointed he didn’t spell Full-Kit Willy Wonka.
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Billy Grant Beesotted podcast and blog; @Beesotted; @BillyTheBee99
Brighton
Story truthful acold When we’re good, we’re very, very good, but erstwhile we’re bad we’re awful. The convention is truthful adjacent that consistency is everything – but we’re horribly inconsistent. The first half of nan miserable 0-0 tie pinch Sunderland showed really diabolical we tin beryllium and while we couldn’t hit Wolves, we did hit Chelsea and Newcastle. Despite that it’s difficult not to beryllium optimistic: our young players are still successful improvement and we’re not acold disconnected being a apical team. Bart Verbruggen is yet showing his value – he moreover saved a punishment – and has kept america successful immoderate difficult games. Lewis Dunk has passed 500 games for us, and Brajan Gruda and Maxim De Cuyper proceed to impress. But it’s truthful sad to spot nan continued diminution of Carlos Baleba.
Happy pinch nan manager? Yes. Not everyone is convinced by Fabian Hürzeler but he has nan players connected side, is driven and is ever looking for ways to execute success. He said he’d learned a batch aft spending clip pinch nan England rugby squad during nan world break.
We will decorativeness … Sixth.
What we request successful January … We’re being linked pinch Ghanaian midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi to switch Baleba (who, ridiculously, still wants to subordinate Man United) and pinch Stefanos Tzimas retired for nan play aft rupturing his ACL we could do pinch different striker, unless Evan Ferguson is recalled from indebtedness astatine Roma.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … The wearebrighton. com obsession pinch what Hürzeler wears successful nan dugout is simply a magnificent study of each outfit, consequence and performance.
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Steph Fincham
As soon arsenic I saw Fabian Hurzeler dressed for illustration he was a 15-year-old gathering his girlfriend's parents for nan first time, I knew Brighton would hit Manchester City coming #BHAFC pic.twitter.com/pLaS8hSg64
— We Are Brighton (@wearebrighton) August 31, 2025Burnley
Story truthful acold It’s difficult to beryllium pleased pinch nan convention position but we’ve not been battered successful games. The 2nd half against Newcastle pinch 10 men astatine nan commencement of December was a very bully capacity and we could/should person snatched a tie astatine nan end. The biggest astonishment truthful acold has been seeing Mike Trésor backmost successful a Burnley garment successful a convention game. We request much of that. Overall, we’ve sewage nan players to past this relegation fight, but we conscionable request Scott Parker to deploy them much effectively. I’m not judge he rather knows nan champion starting XI.
Happy pinch nan manager? Happy that I don’t deliberation there’s anyone other who would do a amended job. Frustrated that he’s a spot excessively pragmatic astatine times. We deficiency a spot of urgency and look to want to effort to enactment successful games for arsenic agelong arsenic imaginable without proactively looking to triumph them. It’s OK doing that but we had a tally of 7 defeats successful 7 earlier nan tie astatine Bournemouth, truthful it’s not working. He’s intelligibly still scarred by his past clip successful nan Premier League but astatine immoderate constituent he’s going to person to return immoderate risks because we’ll quickly tally retired of games.
We will decorativeness … 17th (yes, really!).
What we request successful January … We desperately request a striker who really scores goals. I would emotion to spot Jamie Vardy starring nan statement – I’d decidedly person gone for him successful nan summertime earlier he went to Italy. Other than that, different centre-back because we’re not acold disconnected being short successful that area.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Watching nan Liverpool implosion this play has been great. The property officer’s unrecorded reaction successful nan inheritance of nan changeable arsenic Mo Salah threw a grenade nether nan nine successful that mixed-zone presser was perfectly priceless. Who’d beryllium a property serviceman eh?
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Andrew Greaves From nan Bee Hole End podcast, @beeholepodcast, @andrewgreaves84
Chelsea
Story truthful acold Disappointing. The highs of beating Liverpool and Barcelona and not rolling complete to Arsenal person been countered by nan lows of shocking performances against Manchester United and Leeds and a mediocre showing successful Europe. Reece James, however, has been superb, Caicedo gets amended and better, and in installments to Sánchez stepping up – a awesome improvement. On nan antagonistic side, Tosin isn’t bully capable and Delap and João Pedro person struggled astatine times.
Happy pinch nan manager? The Maresca assurance metre continues to emergence and autumn and origin a batch of section wrong our support. It’s difficult to kick erstwhile you are 4th and successful a cup semi, but nan spread to nan title-chasers is hefty. The relentless tinkering is highly frustrating, but arsenic we’ve seen precocious location appears to beryllium immoderate conflict among nan guidance level and this whitethorn good beryllium down immoderate of nan unusual decisions. Maresca needs to measurement up now and push america connected aliases he could beryllium having a very uncomfortable chat astatine nan extremity of nan season.
We will decorativeness … I tin spot Arsenal and City pulling further away, leaving 3rd and 4th up for grabs. All of nan teams successful nan operation are tin of dropping unexpected points – it’s 1 of those seasons – but I deliberation we’ll bent connected to fourth.
What we request successful January … I’d beryllium looking to Palace to resoluteness our ongoing issues pinch nan fittingness of Lavia and Fofana. Marc Guéhi and Adam Wharton would measurement consecutive in. We’re besides still lacking an knowledgeable No 9.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Cole Palmer’s look erstwhile Donald Trump gatecrashed nan Club World Cup trophy lift.
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Paul Baker successful representation of Trizia Fiorellino
Crystal Palace
Story truthful acold Up to mid-December it was looking for illustration a dream season. Winning nan Community Shield, qualifying for nan adjacent shape of European competition, reaching nan Carabao Cup quarter-finals, and consistently occupying a Champions League spot successful nan convention – what was location to kick about? It conscionable feels for illustration nan wheels person fallen disconnected somewhat pinch immoderate caller dense defeats amid a deficiency of expertise to rotate nan squad and injuries to cardinal players. But Tyrick Mitchell, Daniel Muñoz, Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada person dazzled, and nan caller preamble of 16-year-old Joél Drakes-Thomas to nan first-team squad has been good received.
Happy pinch nan manager? Glasner demands nan best, and has continued to deliver. Strong doubts complete his willingness to motion a caller statement successful nan summertime linger, and his deficiency of usage of substitutes and reluctance to springiness younger players a chance has travel backmost to wound america recently, though you could arsenic reason he thinks, rightly, that nan squad players he has are not yet fresh aliases bully capable to play important minutes.
We will decorativeness … Eighth.
What we request successful January … The attacking positions request bolstering. Brennan Johnson has been heavy linked, while Conor Gallagher and Chelsea’s Tyrique George person besides been mentioned. A value right-wingback is basal too: Muñoz’s knee wounded has costs america badly.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Pep Guardiola screaming astatine Dean Henderson aft nan last whistle astatine nan FA Cup last astir time-wasting conscionable added to nan tears of joyousness shed by each Palace fans.
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Chris Waters @Clapham_Grand
Everton
Story truthful acold Our first top-half-at-Christmas position since nan Ancelotti days shows nan advancement made nether Moyes. Yet, it could have, should have, been moreover better. It’s our first play successful our marque caller sparkling stadium, truthful let’s spell pinch a property-related taxable for nan remainder of this … Dewsbury-Hall has been truthful bully that, contempt not featuring connected England’s radar (yet), nan National Trust will almost surely connection him an end-of-contract deal. Ndiaye has been fantabulous and Grealish has won hearts and minds. Sadly, and pinch nary malice, McNeil has (property reference) redefined “vacant possession”. The caller owners’ deficiency of connection feels a small absent landlord-like, though. In a existent motion of nan caller times astatine Everton, nan Friedkins’ representatives person arrived astatine nan Hill Dickinson by helicopter, while Moshiri, nan erstwhile owner, had to make do pinch nan Avanti retired of London Euston.
Happy pinch nan manager? Moyes (version II) has shown he’s developed arsenic a manager. He has made bully usage of scarce resources and, pinch nan return of nan classical Moyes distant win, has stabilised us. So tin he now advancement america to European football? The standout consequence truthful acold has to beryllium nan first triumph astatine Old Trafford since 2013 (when oddly Moyes was United’s manager).
We will decorativeness … Moyes’s grounds is 1 of beardown finishes, truthful I expect advancement to continue. I forecast eighth astatine nan commencement of nan season; I’ll instrumentality to that.
What we request successful January … A goalscorer (please!) and immoderate solutions for some full-back positions.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Gueye’s reddish for slapping his teammate. Bizarre.
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Paul Quinn @theesk, theesk.org
Fulham
Story truthful acold Given past season’s benchmark – comfortably securing our top-flight information by early outpouring pinch a bid of confident, cohesive performances – this run has been truthful disjointed. VAR howlers, injuries to cardinal players, disruptive enforced changes and Afcon departures person each contributed, arsenic has nan self-inflicted stuff. There’s been plentifulness of sparkle too, not slightest nan re-emergence of Harry Wilson, nan reinvigorated Ryan Sessegnon, nan relentless emergence of Josh King and nan singular dancing feet of loanee Samuel Chukwueze. And, wonderment of wonders, we moreover won astatine Burnley successful nan workout book derby (“fine margins”) and flew retired of nan traps to triumph astatine Spurs. On nan downside, below-par showings, collapses and immoderate bemusing subs person highlighted nan deficiency of depth. Thank heavens for those 3 points against Forest – oh-so-tedious, yet oh-so-welcome. And it was ditto astatine West Ham, nicking 3 much drab points successful nan closing minutes.
Happy pinch nan manager? Very overmuch so, arsenic agelong arsenic he’s still afloat focused. It seems nan signing of contracts isn’t thing to beryllium rushed here, unless it’s a infinitesimal aliases truthful earlier nan transportation deadline. From nan extracurricular looking in, it’s overseas that Marco Silva hasn’t put pen to insubstantial regarding his statement hold unless he’s still seeking reassurances, possibly astir signing due players astatine nan due time? Of course, this whitethorn each simply beryllium an soul crippled of brinkmanship. We tin only walk remark connected what we spot connected nan pitch.
We will finish … 14th. Higher if it clicks again successful nan caller year. Let’s not see nan little option.
What we request successful January … There’s overmuch statement astir needing a caller striker, particularly pinch Rodrigo Muniz injured, Raúl Jiménez moving connected quiet and young Jonah Kusi-Asare deemed not rather ready. Maybe so, but nan cardinal constituent is that whoever plays needs service. Chukwueze’s superb walk to group up Raúl’s precocious victor against Sunderland was a uncommon delight. Having a reasonably settled broadside successful nan caller twelvemonth would make a monolithic difference.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Bruno Fernandes sending his spot-kick into orbit was a hoot, and Leeds netting a spectacular match-deciding 94th-minute ain extremity was a comedic masterpiece.
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David Lloyd @DMLTOOFIF
Leeds
Story truthful acold For a while Leeds were drifting towards nan worst outcome, going backmost down without a whimper. Well, who’s whimpering now! It’s still not Leeds, but successful a bully way. Operation Big Lads has clicked and nan Premier League can’t header pinch Joe Rodon, Anton Stach aliases Jaka Bijol beneath Ethan Ampadu’s large throws. Star of them each is Dominic Calvert-Lewin. In existent Yorkshire fashion, immoderate group said he was, that’s what he’s not. He’s fresh and successful shape and we’re successful love.
Happy pinch nan manager? Until half-time astatine Manchester City a batch of group weren’t happy pinch Daniel Farke, for going pinch nan aforesaid plans that sent Norwich down twice. Now, he has either discovered astonishing elasticity aliases unveiled his meticulous readying each along, depending really acold you judge successful him, and, while nary 2 games since person looked alike, nary of them person looked for illustration losses.
We will decorativeness … 16th. There is still an inevitable slog ahead. But nan different important communicative of caller weeks is nan exuberant committedness of each nan players, looking wished to enactment up.
What we request successful January … A batch is depending connected Calvert-Lewin arsenic a target and Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson arsenic pitch-length wingbacks. More screen would beryllium reassuring.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … May’s autobus parade done nan metropolis centre unleashed each nan pent-up ferality from 2020’s lockdown celebrations successful 1 orgiastic afternoon. And that was conscionable nan team. Malibu-fuelled Ampadu stole nan show pinch a postulation cone connected his head, and nan past words heard connected nan three-hour livestream were nan players, pleading: “Can we spell information again?”
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Daniel Chapman leedsista.com, @leedsista.com
Liverpool
Story truthful acold It’s been a tricky clip for america nan past mates of months. Off to a awesome commencement and apical of nan table, past a mates of defeats that put america connected tilt followed by a beautiful bleak stretch. It ne'er felt a full-on situation and we look to beryllium successful nan midst of a revival pinch 14 points from nan past 18. It’s been astonishing and surely unexpected, but location person besides been immoderate awesome moments. Hugo Ekitiké has sewage disconnected to a flying start, Florian Wirtz is simply a joyousness to watch and Curtis Jones looks to person stepped up to different level.
Happy pinch nan manager? Yes. It’s been a reliable 2nd play for him too, pinch truthful galore angles to facet successful connected and disconnected nan pitch. He ne'er shied distant from having to reply nan aforesaid aged hackneyed questions, ne'er mislaid his temper and was a image of calm during immoderate stormy moments. I suppose it’s nan measurement now, but for location to beryllium moreover a susurration that he should spell aft a comparatively short bad tally is absurd. He is successful only his 2nd twelvemonth astatine Anfield and is nan existent title-winning manager.
We will decorativeness … First. Got to dream big.
What we request successful January … Not judge if nan Marc Guéhi saga is backmost connected aliases backmost disconnected correct now, but he’d beryllium a awesome addition. We are an wounded distant from having conscionable 1 fresh centre-back. Talking of injuries, a right-back would thief and, again, Palace person conscionable nan man, Daniel Muñoz. More options successful protect midfield would beryllium a prize and it’d beryllium tempting to trial Real Madrid’s resoluteness pinch a bid for Camavinga aliases Tchouaméni.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Away to Newcastle astatine nan commencement of nan play and their players were trying to shove Ekitiké (who’d scored) disconnected nan transportation and he conscionable rolled pinch nan pushes taking nan mick. Lots to grin astir passim this year.
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Steph Jones
Manchester City
Story truthful acold Quietly, I’m beautiful pleased … peculiarly fixed really we started nan season, pinch 2 defeats successful our first 3 games. We’re presently good positioned crossed each 4 competitions. The biggest surprise? Potentially really small we’ve missed Rodri (relatively, of course). That’s really bully Nico González has been.
Happy pinch nan manager? He’s had a fewer howlers (such arsenic nan squad action astatine Villa Park and rotating 10 players against Leverkusen) but his tactical improvement season-on-season is ridiculously impressive. And he’s undoubtedly building yet different City team. The large guns person started firing (Haaland, Foden, Dias), but caller cardinal players person besides begun to look (Cherki, Nico G, Doku and O’Reilly).
We will decorativeness … I deliberation we’ll sneak first. So overmuch depends connected injuries, individual form, luck and truthful on, but we’re person to Arsenal than I expected aft nan first month. A caller “best XI” is starting to emerge. And while it’s adjacent to opportunity it astir apt wouldn’t rival galore of our caller vintage sides, nan consistency successful action has started to reap benefits.
What we request successful January … When nan summertime model closed each City instrumentality would’ve told you right-back is nan glaring area of weakness successful nan squad. It astir apt still is, but Nunes has done good capable for america to parkland that signing until nan summer. The attraction needs to beryllium connected a scoring winger, hence nan superior liking successful Bournemouth’s Semenyo.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Liverpool transforming into City 2024-25 has been beautiful funny. And satisfying. Especially fixed nan £446m outlay successful nan summer.
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Lloyd Scragg 9320pod.com; @lloyd_scragg
Manchester United
Story truthful acold Liverpool was nan standout performance, Everton nan shocker – arguably worse than nan Grimsby consequence backmost successful August. Senne Lammens has been unfazed and looks assured successful goal, bringing a calmness to nan defence, but we are still shipping goals. De Ligt has been missed. On nan positive broadside Cunha and Mbeumo are a immense upgrade connected past season, bringing existent quality.
Happy pinch nan manager? His sound has started to grate; he keeps telling america we are not bully capable and it’s going to return time, but he has to return work for our much inept performances: this is now his squad and it still lacks a backbone. His in-game changes are predictable: we could beryllium chasing a crippled aliases putting a crippled to furniture but travel nan 70-75th infinitesimal he will make his protect changes. He really needs to adopt a strategy that suits his players, alternatively than his ego.
We will decorativeness … Eighth.
What we request successful January … I’d emotion Anderson from Forest arsenic he is shaping up to becoming a complete midfielder. Rúben Neves has been linked, too. I’m not judge we’ll motion anyone, though. But what would beryllium criminal adjacent period is if we suffer Mainoo – I’d alternatively suffer nan head than Kobbie.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … When Villa turned up astatine our spot connected nan past time of nan play needing a tie for Champions League football, they were each successful their fancy dress for illustration they were going to nan darts. Then nan worst United squad successful surviving history hit them 2-0. The nine missed a instrumentality and should person played nan Hamlet cigar advertisement euphony complete nan Tannoy.
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Shaun O’Donnell
Newcastle
Story truthful acold Intensity utilized to beryllium our identity. Now it’s inconsistency. We’ve shown sparks of premier Howe-era Newcastle (Man City and Chelsea astatine home, for example) and made awesome advancement successful nan Champions League and Carabao Cup, but our distant shape is appalling, arsenic is our wont of shipping precocious goals. The non-performance against Sunderland was utterly shameful – nan lowest constituent of nan post-Ashley era. Anthony Elanga has been nan worst of our caller signings, making small impact, but Malick Thiaw has been imperious astatine centre-back and Big Nick Woltemade is simply a caller cult hero, helping america to hide astir you-know-who … Nineteen-year-old Lewis Miley besides deserves a typical mention: scores successful nan Champions League, heads america into a cup semi-final, past excels – retired of position – astatine right-back against Chelsea. What a talent.
Happy pinch nan manager? It’s been a reliable play for Howe and location are murmurs of discontent complete strategies and substitutions. Improvement is needed, but his detractors person short memories. We spot him to propulsion america through.
We will decorativeness … A hectic fixture database has taken its toll and it looks for illustration we’ll only suffice for nan Champions League by winning it. Sixth mightiness beryllium achievable, if Wissa and Nick enactment fit.
What we request successful January … Given our seemingly endless wounded situation successful defence, screen astatine nan backmost is simply a must. Matt Targett, connected indebtedness and doing good astatine Boro, couldn’t get a crippled for america past play (having 2 England full-backs up of him) but could beryllium recalled. More guile successful midfield wouldn’t spell amiss either. Rúben Neves would beryllium a existent deed …
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Mikel Arteta blaming nan Puma ball aft Arsenal mislaid nan first limb of nan Carabao Cup semi-final to america successful January. Cue immoderate epic chants, and immoderate good trolling from NUFC’s societal media department.
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David and Richard Holmes
Nottingham Forest
Story truthful acold We’re Forest, we don’t do normal. From nan Gibbs-White transportation saga (with nan proprietor declaring: “At nan extremity of nan day, we ever win”), done nan departure of Nuno and appointing Calamity Ange, past yet going backmost to basics pinch nan spit-and-sawdust trio of Dyche, Stone and Woan; let’s conscionable opportunity that it has been eventful. Thankfully we still person immoderate awesome players, pinch Anderson outstanding, Williams achieving a precocious level of consistency, and our beautiful Murillo [dreamy expression]. The worst infinitesimal was Reds fans singing: “You’re getting sacked successful nan morning,” to our ain head successful nan Europa League; nan champion was Sangaré’s outstanding onslaught against Spurs.
Happy pinch nan manager? Yes: I ever rated Dyche arsenic personification who tin do a occupation pinch nan resources available. The truth that he and his coaching squad person Forest links helps. Also: my relative and I are beautiful definite that a teenage Dyche utilized to spell retired pinch our babysitter erstwhile we were small – you’ll ne'er singing that.
We will decorativeness … Take retired nan Arrogant One’s disastrous 39 days, and we would beryllium challenging for Europe. Let’s opportunity eighth.
What we request successful January … We person a decent-sized squad, but pinch noticeable weaknesses. Cuiabano will yet subordinate his erstwhile Botafogo teammates, but it remains to beryllium seen whether he tin accommodate to Dycheball arsenic a left-back – Zinchenko surely hasn’t. So much spot astatine full-back and besides up front, wherever Wood is struggling and Awoniyi is made of biscuits.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … The opus for Slot to nan tune of nan Cranberries’ Zombie: “We’re successful your head, successful your head, Arne, Arne, Arne, -ne -ne …”
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Rich Ferraro 1865: The Nottingham Forest Podcast: eighteensixtyfive.football
Sunderland
Story truthful acold I’m enjoying each minute. There’s a assurance astir this broadside that we person not seen for a agelong time. Noah Sadiki and Nordi Mukiele person been perfectly captious to that and Xhaka has brought precisely what we needed successful nan middle. Whenever we are faced pinch a setback aliases a tricky spell we conscionable look to find a measurement through. There’s a existent belief moving done nan squad and it feels for illustration we are perpetually improving. We’re not conscionable present to dress up nan numbers.
Happy pinch nan manager? A immense portion of that assurance comes down to Le Bris. He has arrived successful nan Premier League pinch a calm authority and a caller approach. The players intelligibly spot him and bargain into what he is doing and that narration shows each clip we play. He feels for illustration nan correct man astatine nan correct clip and nan advancement we person made truthful acold reflects that.
We will decorativeness … 12th. Afcon brings its challenges but nan summertime recruitment has near america successful a stronger position to cope. If we are still sitting comfortably by February there’s each logic to consciousness optimistic astir really nan play will finish.
What we request successful January … A spot much extent successful midfield would beryllium ideal, particularly fixed nan number of cards we person already picked up. I’d besides emotion to spot a right-winger travel successful to springiness america much spot retired wide. In position of names it is difficult to opportunity because nan recruitment squad support pulling retired players astir of america person ne'er heard of. At this constituent I spot them completely.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Frankie Francis’s commentary for Dan Ballard’s victor successful nan playoff semi-final. He wholly mislaid his caput and it made nan infinitesimal moreover better. That said, Woltemade’s ain extremity astir apt tops it. A decorativeness that cleanable and well-placed into nan incorrect nett was genuinely astonishing.
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Eleanor McCabe @eleanor_amc for @WiseMenSayPod, wisemensay.co.uk
Tottenham
Story truthful acold Eleven convention games mislaid astatine location successful nan almanac twelvemonth of 2025; a nine record. Everything is inherently broken: nan board, players and nan fatigued fanbase. Ange Postecoglou’s bequest should beryllium nan Europa League but alternatively it’s nan acceptance everyone surrendered to; going to location games knowing we would lose, connected nan transportation and successful nan stands. We’re caught successful nan infinite loop of appointing a head to inherit a messy squad and past failing to backmost him pinch condemnation to make that squad his own. The Spurs personality situation persists.
Happy pinch nan manager? Is Frank overwhelmed? My gut wants to reclaim immoderate of that uncommon “patience pinch context” and backmost him but nan grounds is damning truthful far. With cardinal players Maddison, Kulu and Solanke out, nan reliance connected youngsters and Frank’s overly protect mindset, I’m apathetic erstwhile more.
We will decorativeness … I’m going for 17th again truthful thing amended will consciousness for illustration an betterment connected past season. I don’t rather person “SERIOUS RELEGATION FEARS” conscionable yet. We request to find a spark successful N17 soon.
What we request successful January … Regardless of whether we instrumentality aliases twist pinch Frank, signing top-drawer finished-article players is essential. But it’s uncommon to get these successful January. Positions? All of them. Keeper, full-back, personification to play connected nan other helping to Kudus and up beforehand too. Those 3 aforementioned injured players haunt us. We request to beryllium galvanised. This shot nine has to beryllium it wants to break nan loop.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Ange for proclaiming “season 3 is ever amended than play two” and stating that “main characters often get killed off”, while knowing arsenic early arsenic nan commencement of 2025 that he was apt to beryllium sacked successful nan summer. THFC, nan astir melodramatic of shot clubs, ever delivers nan satirical self-deprecating drama that beautiful overmuch defines us. Up nan Spurs.
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Spooky The Fighting Cock and Filthy Shambles podcaster
West Ham
Story truthful acold We’re successful large trouble, moreover if Nuno has stabilised things slightly. Graham Potter’s broadside imploded, conceding endless goals from corners. Bizarrely he tried to switch Areola successful goal, who has had a good play since being restored. Potter’s sacking was sadly inevitable. We still person a chance of staying up while we person Jarrod Bowen, but he needs overmuch much support. Since Nuno came successful Fernandes and Magassa are starting to look for illustration bully young signings, and, free of FA charges, Paquetá has had immoderate decent games, though nary marks for his stupid sending-off against Liverpool for channelling Harry Enfield’s Kevin. Freddie Potts is 1 of our ain and nan find of nan season, while Callum Wilson has been amended than nan doubters thought. Pantomime villains are nan board, blameworthy of years of mediocre strategy and botched appointments, positive Niclas Füllkrug’s agent, who seems to blasted West Ham for his client’s wounded woes.
Happy pinch nan manager? Nuno has improved nan defence and ended nan area malaise. The tone is overmuch amended and Todibo is starting to look for illustration a decent defender now he’s been switched to nan left. Nuno comes crossed arsenic a bully feline but has a quiet gravitas that Potter lacked. He had a brainstorm against Brentford and Leeds, inverting his full-backs and playing Irving and Soucek successful midfield, but has settled connected a much sensible side. Nice to person a gaffer who is into riding horses, though he needs to rein successful his safety-first mentality to debar nan 4 horsemen of nan apocalypse arriving successful Stratford.
We will decorativeness … To beryllium super‑optimistic, 17th.
What we request successful January … A young mobile striker to return nan unit of Wilson. Brentford managed to get Thiago while we’ve wasted fortunes connected Haller, Scamacca and Füllkrug. Promise David would beryllium worthy it conscionable for nan header potential. A large bruising centre-back would besides beryllium useful and Charlie Cresswell of Toulouse has been mentioned.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … Scottish commentators Alasdair Lamont and Michael Stewart wholly losing it erstwhile Scotland hit Denmark 4-2.
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Pete May Author, Massive: The Miracle of Prague; hammersintheheart.blogspot.co.uk
Wolves
Story truthful far I’m pleased it’s astir halfway done. It’s been a Hall of Fame play of nonaccomplishment pinch acold excessively galore individual and corporate gaffes to azygous immoderate 1 point retired for typical attention.
Happy pinch nan manager? Wolves arsenic a nine are a full shambles correct now, truthful I person sympathy for Rob Edwards, but I besides don’t deliberation he’s nan correct man to organise this disparate group of players into thing resembling a Premier League team. I understand why he wanted nan occupation fixed his affinity pinch nan club, but he really should person stayed astatine Middlesbrough. We should person pulled nan Big Sam ripcord.
We will decorativeness … 20th and pinch nan grounds for fewest points successful Premier League history.
What we request successful January … Who tin we perchance attract? Maybe immoderate of those mercenaries who person been stiff retired of their existent clubs, but are they really motivated to succeed? The nine should astir apt beryllium reasoning much astir what nan squad needs to look for illustration successful nan Championship adjacent season. Maybe we tin offload immoderate alleged stars for bigger money successful January and switch them pinch a fewer that will thief america deed nan crushed moving for an contiguous return? But that astir apt requires nan benignant of guardant reasoning we haven’t seen for a bully while successful these parts.
Funniest infinitesimal of 2025 … I can’t retrieve what laughing feels for illustration different than nan deranged guffaw of a man driven to madness by his team’s full incompetence, truthful you’ll forgive maine if I walk connected this one.
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Thomas Baugh @thomasbaugh
