That’s the lot for today. Thanks for reading, emailing and commenting and best of luck for the weekend’s football. Bye.
Let’s give the (almost) final word to Karim Adeyemi, and re-live his stunning goal for Dortmund v Chelsea in midweek, via Football on BT Sport on Twitter. Pacy:
THAT IS UNREAL! ⚫️🟡
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 15, 2023
Karim Adeyemi shows great pace and power get past Enzo Fernández and slots it home 🔥#UCL pic.twitter.com/Go32ZlnIQj
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We are speeding towards the conclusion of today’s blog. So here, in case you missed something, are all the football pieces from today, starting with “10 Things …”
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Ange Postecoglou gave Celtic fans a boost by confirming that the forward Kyogo Furuhashi has recovered from a shoulder injury. There was concern from the Parkhead stands when the Japan international had to go off in the first half of last Saturday’s 5-1 cup win over St Mirren at Celtic Park.
Celtic face Rangers in the keenly-awaited ViaPlay Cup final at Hampden Park next Sunday and – ahead of the visit of Aberdeen in the Premiership on Saturday – the Hoops boss had some good news for the Parkhead fans.
He said: “Kyogo is fine. He trained today, had a session yesterday and is good to go. I think I said after the game, I was pretty relaxed about it. He had a similar one last year and I think he missed one session and played the next game.
“So it wasn’t anything that we were overly-concerned about and, from our perspective, if it wasn’t right, it wasn’t right, we move on and deal with it. He missed a session to get some treatment on it and has trained the last two days so no issues. The only one from last week is David Turnbull got a knock and will miss tomorrow, that’s it, everyone else is OK.”
Postecoglou stressed that all his focus was on Aberdeen – “you can’t have your mind on the final when you have a game tomorrow” – and expects a tough match against the Dons, who have Barry Robson in interim charge following the sacking of Jim Goodwin last month.
Postecoglou, whose side have lost only one league game this season and who lead Rangers by nine points at the top of the table, said: “It is always a challenge when you are meeting a team with a new manager.
“Barry has had a couple of games, in the first game they had a man sent off really early and they had a good result and a good performance in the last game. They had a weekend off which means he has had a chance to work with the team so we have to be ready for that.
“We know that at their best, they are a good side. They have some good individual players that can hurt you, particularly in an attacking sense so we have to be ready for it but at the same time, our form has been pretty good for quite a while now and particularly at home. If we start the game well and play to our tempo, we know we will be hard to stop.” (PA Media)
The Sheffield United forward Billy Sharp has been charged by the Football Association for his comments about referee Leigh Doughty following the FA Cup win over Wrexham. The Blades needed two injury-time goals to get past the National League club to set up a fifth-round tie against Tottenham.
Sharp, who scored one of the late goals, said in post-match TV interviews referee Doughty was “helping them out” having awarded Wrexham a controversial penalty and then denied the Blades what looked to be a clear spot-kick of their own late on. The striker, currently recovering from an ankle injury, said: “I think they thought we were going to roll over when they got back in it and I think the referee was helping them out all night as well. I don’t think he gave me one foul all night.” (PA)
A letter lost in the post in 1916 was finally delivered to a London address more than a century after being sent from Bath.
Bearing a penny George V stamp and Bath and Sydenham postmarks, it dropped through the letterbox of theatre director Finlay Glen’s Crystal Palace flat in 2021.
Is there a joke in there somewhere about the speed of delivery (or lack thereof) to Crystal Palace’s strikers? Probably not, in truth, but it’s been a long day. I suppose it the letter went from Crystal Palace > Bath, it would be an open goal.
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Bundesliga fixtures
Friday
Augsburg v Hoffenheim
Saturday
Stuttgart v Köln
Bochum v Freiburg
Mönchengladbach v Bayern Munich
Wolfsburg v RB Leipzig
Eintracht Frankfurt v Werder Bremen
Sunday
Union Berlin v Schalke
Borussia Dortmund v Hertha Berlin
Leverkusen v Mainz
Over in Spain, Girona face Almería this evening, to see who wins that. The rest of the La Liga weekend fixtures are as follows:
Saturday
Real Sociedad v Celta Vigo
Real Betis v Valladolid
Mallorca v Villarreal
Osasuna v Real Madrid
Sunday
Elche v Espanyol
Rayo Vallecano v Sevilla
Atlético Madrid v Athletic Bilbao
Barcelona v Cadiz
Getafe v Valencia
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Football Daily is here, thanks to my fellow Friday blogger, Tom Davies:
Crystal Palace head to Brentford for a very difficult game against Thomas Frank’s side tomorrow, who are unbeaten in 10 games in the Premier League. Patrick Vieira reckons they are not too far away: “We are working hard and working well for it … I think when you’re looking at the last couple of games that we had, we competed well against the opposition,” Vieira said. “Obviously we need to do more to win to games, and to do more is about being more ruthless, I think in both areas … it’s about creating those chances we had, and we have to score those goals, I think the chances are there.”
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You know what time it is … that’s right, it’s quiz time.
Courtesy of Paul Campbell:
Emma Hayes believes professional women’s football is a “middle-class sport” which has allowed a generation of inner-city talent to be lost to the game.
Describing the European champion Lionesses as a “homogenised” side, the Chelsea manager argues the current system of academies, often located in suburban green spaces, should be abandoned in favour of bringing coaching and development into the city.
Liverpool are the only side to have beaten Newcastle in the Premier League this season.
“I wouldn’t say we owe Liverpool one … we owe ourselves,” Eddie Howe said earlier, looking ahead to tomorrow evening’s match.
As Derek Smalls and David St Hubbins once said:
“People should envy us.”
“I envy us.”
“Me too.”
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What if the Queen hadn’t died when she did? If she hadn’t, Arsenal would have faced PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League in September and that game wouldn’t have had to be played in the midweek slot when they had been slated to host Manchester City.
Arsenal would have gone into what could prove the defining game of the season in October on a run of seven straight victories, having beaten Tottenham and Liverpool in their previous two home league matches, while City would have been coming off a 1-0 defeat at Anfield. As it was, Arsenal were fretting in their worst run of the season, while City were just beginning to emerge from a post-World Cup blip. But still they’ll blame the referees.
Speaking of Italy, here’s an excellent read from Nicky Bandini on Monza, from earlier this week:
I tell you what we need. A glance at this weekend’s fixtures in the big continental European leagues. Where better to start than Italy, where Napoli are in action this evening away at Sassuolo. Win and Luciano Spalletti’s side would be 18 points clear of second-placed Inter, who take on Udinese tomorrow.
Friday
Sassuolo v Napoli
Saturday
Sampdoria v Bologna
Monza v Milan
Inter v Udinese
Sunday
Atalanta v Lecce
Fiorentina v Empoli
Salernitana v Lazio
Spezia v Juventus
Roma v Verona
Torino v Cremonese
“I see Guardiola mentioned the NBA playoffs,” comments AndyClark. “That should be a top priority to consider here. Top six get to qualify, and 7-10 are in a play-in. It would keep many teams still having a prayer of something. Hard to see best of three games but could give the higher seed home advantage and maybe a 1 goal lead going into the game - at least at the quarterfinal stage.”
It’s an interesting shout for sure. Wolves, Brighton, West Ham and Leicester would all have had a shot at glory last season, based on the final table.
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And a bit more from Graham Potter at Chelsea:
Asked if Chelsea’s lack of goals could be down to poor luck, Potter said: “I don’t like to use luck as something to wait for as you can’t control it.
“The Dortmund game, in terms of chances created, was a positive for us. With the quality of players we have in the attacking positions, we can score,” the 47-year-old added.
“The criticism for us and the fair criticism is that we haven’t attacked as well as I would have liked us to. It was closer against Dortmund.
“The hardest thing to do in football is to put the ball in the net ... The final third is an area where we can improve and we need to do better.”
And finally from Potter, on facing Southampton, for whom Rubén Sellés will take caretaker charge following the dismissal of Nathan Jones:
“It’ll be a big challenge but we are at home and we’ll look to taker three points,” Potter said.
“Anything can come at you, pretty much. They’ve got a caretaker manager, they’ve had a week to prepare... We’ve got to focus on ourselves.” (Quotes via Reuters)
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More from Stellini at Spurs here, courtesy of Reuters:
The assistant said that it has been “strange” to receive such a warm response from Tottenham fans during the period in which he has taken over Conte’s first team responsibilities.
“It’s strange for me,” the Italian said. “Not many people know the assistant. Who knows the assistant? This is a strange thing for me. I repeat that I’m not alone though, there are many people who work with me.
“[First team coach] Ryan Mason was important every time and will be this weekend. He is important for me and all the staff, [Constantino] Coratti, [Stefano] Bruno [fitness coaches] and [Marco] Savorani for the keepers.
“What we are learning now is that Antonio takes responsibility with great character. He asks the assistants but he takes the decisions.
“Now we have take responsibility together. We’re more like a team. When Antonio is here, he will take decisions, he takes the responsibility and sometimes doesn’t explain why.”
Brentford’s Thomas Frank on last week’s VAR drama against Arsenal: “It’s very important of course that the referee department get the VAR situations right. No doubt about that. We would have been disappointed if it happened towards us. It was a human mistake which I completely understand, we have seen human mistakes in football over the last 100 years … in a way I hope it happens in the future as well, because that’s why we’re human.
“I think that question massively overshadowed our performance against Arsenal, which was more than good enough to get a well-deserved point, and if there should have been a winner I think it easily could have been us.
“Our overall performance was good … I was happy … you can see it in the players’ faces. We talked about the good place we are in. We need to continue. The 10-match unbeaten run is deserved … we could have hoped for a bit more, according to our performances. Now it’s all about: do it once more against a good Crystal Palace team.”
Would he be in favour of semi-automated offside tech in the Premier League? “To be fair, I don’t know enough about that. I heard about it. I am for everything that will make the game better and make it more … how you say, not correct, but as fair as possible. It’s a physical sport, a contact sport … offside is a hugely important rule … if it can help, I am open for it.
“[Quaifiying for] Europe is not a “target” … we are allowed to dream … we are very, very aware that if we don’t perform tomorrow against Crystal Palace we will get nothing … we are in a good place, we have an almost fully-fit squad. We are in a top place but we need to continue. If we do [make Europe] I would love to give you answer but right now my only focus is to get three points against Crystal Palace.”
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Thomas Frank!
Leicester manager Rodgers, whose team have scored eight goals in their past two matches, is asked what has “clicked” in attack.
“It actually starts with the defending … the way the team played defensively. [Against Spurs] we stopped a very dangerous team getting the ball into the areas they wanted … and that always is the foundation to attack well. And we were very aggressive in attack. A good balance in the team, people scoring from different areas. The last numbers of games have been really good.
On Kelechi Iheanacho’s strong form: “I’m delighted for him playing so well. The thing now is consistency, keeping it going.”
Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers is having a natter now.
A 35-year-old man has been ordered to pay compensation to the Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale after assaulting him at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the end of the north London derby.
Ramsdale, 24, was kicked in the back shortly after Arsenal beat Tottenham 2-0 in a Premier League match on 15 January.
Joseph Watts pleaded guilty at Uxbridge magistrates court to assault by beating, going on to an area adjacent to the playing area and throwing a missile on to a football playing area.
Watts, a Tottenham supporter, was handed a 12-month community order, made to pay £100 in compensation to Ramsdale and will have to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. He also received a four-year football banning order, meaning he cannot attend matches.
A good social video from Brentford below, highlighting the diversity of their Premier League squad, thus reinforcing the important message that there is #NoRoomForRacism – in football or anywhere else.
🌍 Diversity makes football happen
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 17, 2023
Here at Brentford, we believe diversity is a strength ❤️
There's #NoRoomForRacism towards our fans, staff or players
Watch our video to celebrate the nationalities and heritage of our men's First Team players#BeeTogether 🐝 | @premierleague pic.twitter.com/6MTExitJ9c
The Chelsea manager, Graham Potter, is asked about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: “Of course, Pierre is in our squad. He remains an important player for us ... He’s worked hard and he knows the situation at the moment. But nothing is set in stone. His attitude has been really, really good and we’ll make an assessment as we go forward.”
Potter is asked about VAR following the controversy during the 1-1 draw with West Ham last week and Tomas Soucek’s “save”.
“I have no problem with VAR, necessarily,” Potter says. “I don’t think I’d have had it in the first place, I’m a bit of a romantic, traditionalist … I quite like that the referee and the linesman are there to make the decision, and whatever happens, happens. That’s good, but I understand that we want to make it so all the decisions are correct.
“Then I go: do we really want every single decision to be correct? Because there’s an element of human error, there’s an element of that, that happens in the game, that’s something for us all something to talk about, and get annoyed about. That’s part of the game. It would be boring … Are we going towards, eventually, computers making the decisions? … The only way to be consistent is humans don’t make the decision, because every human being will see it in a different way. The football action will be so different.
“This drive for consistency is strange, when you consider that humans are taking part in the game. I would like the referee to mostly referee the game. Apart from that I’m just trying to support the process.
“I don’t think it’s so easy to be a VAR ref, we’re still in the early stages … it must be different to go on the pitch, feeling the game … to then referee the game in this room, for example … so that’s something they are inevitably going to get better at, I think. Apart from that, I have enough problems myself to worry about VAR.”
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Stellini, continued: “Against West Ham, every time is a tough game. It’s a derby, and they are a good team. They have great skill in some situations … they are a team strong in set-pieces and on the counterattack … we have to be careful. They had a good season last season and they didn’t change many of their players. They are a good team. It’s a derby, and that creates a good feeling for us, and also a good feeling for them.
“I want to see a reaction from the start. The first minute is important for us. We have to show the desire to show the best game we can.”
Tottenham assistant coach Cristian Stellini speaks, regarding the fact that Antonio Conte will remain in Italy while recovering from surgery for the time being: “His feeling was that maybe he underestimated the procedure … coming close to the game, the stress and tension he lives normally, before the game, creates some problems … the doctor said he needs to take it easy … he will come back soon, but not like he hopes.
“We speak probably three times a day … every time he wants to come back. Every time he asks – how was the training, we have to organise the team … he wants to come back.
“Health is more important than football … that’s why the doctors and the club decided to leave Antonio in Italy … we don’t know [the exact time frame] … it’s really a feeling from Antonio. It was emergency surgery … he needs time to be 100%. Antonio, not at 100%, is not Antonio. This creates stress, and that is dangerous, after surgery like that.”
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A fitness update from Moyes before West Ham’s meeting away against Tottenham (Sunday 4.30pm): “Lucas Paquetá is not available … Nayef [Aguerd] has got a chance, but we’re not sure … it’s great that Gianluca [Scamacca] is back [in training] but he’s nowhere near ready to be selected … I might try and involve him, but I’ve got to say, it’d be minimum minutes.
“We are looking forward to getting him [Maxwel Cornet] back … we’ll have to build him up to get him back ready to play.
“There’s never a good time to play Tottenham. They have got a host of good players. They are a really good team … we’ll try and go into the game really positive …”
Do Antonio Conte’s health issues put things in perspective? “I’m more thinking about Antonio … he’s a top manager … he’s had a lot of success wherever he’s been … he’ll be a miss, obviously, but they’ve got a really good group of players and I am sure they’ll get on with the job. Obviously he’s an elite manager. I’ve got great respect for him.”
Has Moyes got a plan for containing Harry Kane? “I’ve tried a lot of times to negate him, I’ve got to say. He’s a top player … we’ll do everything we can to try and contain him.
“We are starting to be a bit more resilient, which is good … there wasn’t a bad atmosphere when we were losing if that’s what you’re suggesting … but we’ve had some good results. There’s signs of players getting back to their best form … there’s a lot of good things coming through. We want to maintain that.”
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West Ham’s David Moyes is speaking!
While we’re on the subject of Warnock’s greatest hits, here’s a piece by Michael Hann from 2012 on The Four Year Plan, the highly compelling QPR documentary in which the much-travelled manager features heavily.
“The footage is indeed, dynamite – The Four Year Plan is possibly the most vivid insight into the running of a football club yet committed to film.”
I’ve not seen it for years, but I remember it well, and fancy watching it again now.
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With Neil Warnock back in management at 74, thanks to Joe Pearson for emailing in with a reminder of his “Small Talk” interview with Barry Glendenning from 2013. Always entertaining:
(We join the Villa press conference halfway through an answer, but I think Unai Emery is asked about Tyrone Mings first, who’s just signed a new long-term deal at 29): “30 is young, the players now are extending their career … at Villarreal I had players at 39, 40 … I think Mings is in his best moment in his career. A bit mature. Experienced, but young enough to extend his career physically.
“Of course, we are trying to improve as a team, qualitatively … to help him be confident, to play better … I think he can progress with us … I think the supporters love him.
“He [Mings] is in the squad. He trained today and yesterday, but we are going to decide tomorrow morning.
“Tomorrow [against Arsenal] our challenge is clear. Our objective doesn’t change. When I arrived here we were at “the bottom” … we progressed … two weeks ago, before the match against Leicester we were excited at the possibility of being in the top 10, to get close to the European places … but the target is the same … our first target this year is to escape off the bottom, try to add points, and be in the top 10. Of course if we can catch some teams, we are going to do it … tomorrow we are going to face Arsenal, a very good team, in a very good moment … thinking about the season. Not the last matches, but I think it’s not changing their confidence, how they are progressing, how they are playing, how they can have possibilities to win the title this year.
“For me Arsenal was a very good experience. I was there one year and a half more or less … you have to be, in bad moments, to learn, to be stronger, and I think I became a better coach after my experiences in Arsenal. I am so grateful to the owners, to the players, to the club, the fans … but now I am at Aston Villa.
“Now I am here, I want to live a new moment for me, for us, to share my experiences, to share the competitive idea I have in my mind … I am trying to do it but I know at the beginning we need time, we need confidence, we need one process to do it.”
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Unai Emery is up next, the Aston Villa manager, and he will be speaking to media before the Gunners come to town tomorrow lunchtime.
TV’s Will Ferrell was in the “Koop” at Anfield on Monday night:
Thanks for the ticket right in the heart of the Koop @LFC ❤️ cracking game of soccer against @Everton. pic.twitter.com/d6LwGMXKKt
— Will Ferrell (@OfficialWilllF) February 16, 2023
Incidentally his pre-match Twitter video for Wrexham last weekend was, let’s face it, completely brilliant:
Welcome to Wrexham, Will Ferrell! 👋
— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) February 11, 2023
🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/H6nJETlXiZ
Ben Fisher has spoken to Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa, who (in football journalese) has just penned a new deal at Villa Park, before tomorrow’s visit of Premier League-chasing Arsenal.
Here’s the interview:
Thank you Tom. Hello again, everyone.
And with that, I’ll hand you back to a well-nourished Luke.
A bit more from Erik ten Hag’s post-Barcelona presser, this time on the Manchester United takeover question, though it’s standard-issue non-committal: “I’ve been following [the story] of course but we are focusing on football, on training, our way of playing, on games, and we are really enjoying it. Others have to take decisions, it’s not up to us.”
The manager says he hasn’t spoke specifically to the chief executive, Richard Arnold, or the Glazers on the latest developments but added: “We spoke at the start but I focus on football they are focusing on other departments at the club.”
Arteta wants Premier League to change fixture policy
Mikel Arteta has called for the Premier League to afford top-flight fixtures the same privilege as Champions League games and avoid scheduling Wednesday-to-Saturday-lunchtime turnarounds in future.
Some words from Julen Lopetegui, who’s been talking up Bournemouth, his in-form Wolves side’s opponents this weekend: “For me they’re a very good team and I have seen their last matches – in the last match against Newcastle they had good chances to win, they are aware of their strengths, are a very tactically ordered team, compact and narrow, they have high-quality players with the ball. It will be a hard match.
Buttered up by questions about the team’s turnaround, thje Wolves manager says: “I never had any particular expectations [about turning it around quickly]. We believe in the players but they have to show their qualities, and be ready for each match.” Told that no team bottom of the Premier League at Christmas has ever finished in the top half, Lopetegui replies: “I’m not interested in history, in statistics this is not football, football is about the present.”
We’ve not talked Everton yet have we? Well Sean Dyche has been discussing the need for his side to find the right balance after contrasting dispays against Arsenal (bold and dynamic) and Liverpool (limp and outplayed). Here’s some PA Media quotes before their game against Leeds.
“Over the two games – of course the derby is a different importance,” Dyche said. “I’m well aware of that – taking three points, I think most people would go, ‘OK, that’s a reasonable start’.
“Two performances, similar in one way, against two good sides. Not that much in it, not as much as people were suggesting. We didn’t create as much against Liverpool – it’s hard creating really good opportunities away from home. I thought we did create enough against Arsenal.
“So finding that balance of making the team tight but also having enough freedom to go and operate and play forwards and affect the opposition.
“That’s what we’ve been talking about with the players moving into the next game – not just being solid and working hard, which is of course a real prerequisite of mine, but working smart and opening the game up.
“We’re learning about the players, we’re pushing them hard, we’re pushing their boundaries. Something I’ve been obsessed with for many years is raising the minimum. How can we stop off-days? That’s got to go into performances, and I’m aware we have to do it rapid style.”
An almost in-the-bag slice of old transfer news now slotted firmly into the bottom corner – Chris Wood’s permanent move to Nottingham Forest from Newcastle has been confirmed. Here’s our very own Mr Transfers:
Chris Wood completes permanent move to Nottingham Forest from Newcastle as buy obligation clause has been triggered after 3 appearances. 🌳🔴🤝🏻 #NFFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 17, 2023
Newcastle will receive £15m fee — it was never in doubt and already agreed in January. pic.twitter.com/py6khm8tNj
Thanks Luke. Afternoon everyone. A few nuggets from Southampton, where their latest caretaker-manager, Rubén Sellés, has been talking with some confidence about the job on his hands and what he can bring to it. “I feel comfoertable,” said the Spaniard. “l’m an honest person, I have been through all levels in football – not her but in the rest of the world, and I have a lot of personal experience. We are working really hard with the team, doing our best. The club will make a decision but I will be more than happy to take the job … We trust that we will be ready for almost any scenario.
“I think the group of players is amazing. the way they work is good, we need to give them the best chance to win the game tomorrow and find an identity.” Sellés added that Che Adams was their only major injury doubt for tomorrow’s game against Chelsea.
On the subject of Southampton, this was an interesting piece yesterday – if a slightly depressing one – about the fear that Saints’ failed Nathan Jones experiment may further deter Premier League clubs from taking a punt on successful EFL managers. Though I’d argue that Jones, and his curious career trajectory (two wildly successful spells at Luton, failure at Stoke and Southampton) are not typical. And of course Premier League clubs have sometimes had their fingers burned on employing big-name managers with little experience and no grounding at lower levels.
I’m off for a spot of lunch. Tom Davies will now be your guide.
That was an incredibly long, rambling answer from Guardiola about how the season is panning out but I think it largely made sense. There was also a mention of the NBA, and how teams arrive in the playoffs having lost some games. Before that I think he said at one point “The players are the artists.” Although I’d lost the thread/entered a trance-like state at that point.
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Guardiola continued: “[To have a strong leadership group] is the most important thing. I’ve been with huge characters at Barcelona, at Bayern Munich, and here. And in the tough moments, under pressure, they make a step forward, they go there without fear. Playing good, or playing bad, at the end of the day is not the most important thing. During the season you cannot be, especially a long time winning titles, you cannot maintain the quality I would say … it’s impossible to maintain three times a week during 11 months, in six/seven years. Honestly, it’s impossible.
“When you win a lot of titles, at the beginning of the season, it’s like: OK, we have time. But there are teams behind … they believe we don’t have time. To do it in August, September, you realise: “Oh, we are 20 points behind.” Unfortunately it didn’t happen here [while he’s been at City]. When we didn’t win, always we were close, except the year Liverpool won the league … Always we were quite close … Still 15 games left, a lot of games. We want to arrive in the last eight, 10 games close, or top.
“We are in a position that I would have dreamed in the beginning of the season … I could not expect to be a lot of points in front after winning back to back. It’s almost impossible.”
Guardiola is now asked about Kevin De Bruyne’s form: “Really good … like Jack [Grealish], like everyone, I am so pleased for everyone, but I want more. I still have the feeling Kevin can do more. Jack can do more. They can do it better. That would be the best word. They can do it. Of course he [De Bruyne] made a fantastic goal [against Arsenal] … but for the rest of the season, we will have tough, aggressive opponents … we need the players to have the feeling we can do better.
Will John Stones play tomorrow? “No. But he is getting better.”
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Guardiola focused on City's Forest trip
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola is asked: How does he see the title race now. following the midweek win against Arsenal?
“Arsenal still have one game in hand, so … nothing changed much … it’s forgotten [the match against Arsenal], and we are just thinking about Nottingham Forest.
How important is momentum in the Premier League title race? “Momentum is when you win 10 games in a row. It didn’t happen this season. We lost three games ago in London, against Tottenham.
“Momentum is tomorrow at 3pm, be ready mentally … [against] a team that lost just one game in the last six … [Nottingham Forest] … with a manager I respect a lot, what he has done for English football … they have a young team. What they have done last season, he took over when they were in a really difficult position, and they got promoted.”
Is Guardiola pleased with Jack Grealish’s form? “He is playing really good. His ambition, his aggressivity, attacking the back line, and the quality … his commitment to be: “OK, I am going to take a risk” … but he has to continue.”
Updated
Pep is up now.
James Milner, Naby Keita and Diogo Jota all came off the bench against Everton last Monday. “It was important to get the time, but you could see they need time. That was clear,” Klopp says.
“We knew that ... It’s completely different, whatever you do on a training pitch. These first 10, 15 mins in an intense game, it’s torture ... so you have to go through this.
“They could train properly the next day … one session today and we will see how we line up.”
English grassroots referees are to be allowed to wear video cameras during matches, in an attempt to reduce the levels of abuse they face.
The Football Association confirmed on Friday that a trial of bodycam technology – a first in world football – would be conducted across four regional adult leagues this season after being authorised by the law-making body the Ifab.
Klopp is asked a question in Spanish. He looks a bit nonplussed and asks for it in English. “Someone told you I speak Spanish?”
The question was about Bajcetic, I think … Klopp is full of praise. “He is an absolute joy to work with.”
Will Virgil van Dijk be fit to start against Newcastle? “I think so,” says Klopp. “Yesterday he looked absolutely ready … I think today he will look the same, and then we make a decision.”
Is it hard to rest young players like Stefan Bajcetic when they are playing so well? “It’s not that difficult … we can read numbers, stuff like this … it’s very individual. Players are different, when they’re young, we have to keep a close eye on that. How it is with three games a week, I don’t know … we have other players as well.
“Stefan played exceptional [against Everton], not just because he is 18, he just played exceptional. And it was Fabinho’s best game for a long time … we have senior players [back] who have not been involved for a long time, and long may it continue.”
Klopp determined to build on Liverpool's derby win
For starters, the Liverpool manager is asked for an injury update: “Same squad [as for Everton] … nothing happened on the injury side.”
On facing Newcastle tomorrow evening: “Massive game. If we want to reach something we have to chase ever … it’s not easy, it will never be easy, but the only way you can do is to give it a try.
“Tough one. Newcastle, best defence in the league. Lost only once, I heard? Against us. And we needed a late, late goal. They are very consistent … it’s a tough place to go. Hopefully we can build on the performance on Monday … this time it was different, it was us, it looked like us … people said after the game Everton didn’t do this or that as much as they did against Arsenal – I think it was really because we did well in that game, but that’s a prove to point tomorrow.
“Eddie’s doing an exceptional job.”
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Klopp’s here! And speaking.
It’s a fair shout, Brendan: last weekend was a bad one for anyone who argues that VAR means fewer mistakes, or indeed that VAR (the VAR? The VARs?) is a system that moves us inexorably towards the truth.
It is still about humans, and the errors that we all inevitably make.
“As you ask, I am very fond of football, but the powers that be seem to be trying their darndest to put us all off,” emails Brendan. “There are many things wrong with football and it’s governance and the people running the show, but the worst for me is V-bloody-A-bloody-R! The fact that it is almost impossible to celebrate a goal anymore, for fear of it being disallowed, is the most ridiculous thing to have happened. But the fact that the mistakes are just as common as before means it is a total waste of time. Can we please please go back to refs on the pitch being in charge? They are very very good at their jobs in real time. Just let them do it!”
The Newcastle gaffer Eddie Howe said earlier today that he is getting tonnes of ticket requests from people for next weekend’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester United, and in many cases he has no idea who these people are. Asked if he’d had any strange ticket requests, Howe said:
“The strangest request? Just people I don’t know, I think that’s quite strange … people who I’ve got no idea who they are. So it’s like, a stranger asking, ‘have you got tickets?’ That’s the strangest thing, rather than any special request.”
People are strange. Has anyone got his number, by the way?
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As per usual for a Friday, there will be a plethora of Premier League manager press conferences coming up around lunchtime. Stay tuned for Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp, among others.
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Fifa has allocated $1m (£830,000) to its Fifa Foundation to provide humanitarian aid to people affected by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
The combined death toll in Turkey and Syria has climbed over 43,000, and millions are in need of humanitarian aid after being left homeless and without basic amenities.
Fifa said it had consulted with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and the Syrian Football Association (SFA), as well as “international and local non-governmental organisations”.
“The aid will be used to purchase and distribute essential humanitarian items, as well as to provide emergency and temporary shelter and protection,” Fifa said in a statement.
“Fifa will continue to collaborate with the TFF and SFA, while monitoring the situation and deciding on further action.” (Reuters)
Let’s talk Manchester United. Let’s talk Marcus Rashford.
Let’s read Jonathan Liew’s piece from Barcelona last night, on how Erik Ten Hag has succeeded in unlocking the forward’s seemingly limitless potential:
Having been asked for thoughts on the football, lancaster43 comments: “I like it.”
That’s the kind of insight, and the kind of content, that gets me out of bed in the morning.
The England defender Tyrone Mings has signed a new contract at Aston Villa, it has emerged:
Aston Villa is delighted to announce that @TyroneMings has signed a new contract with the club! 🙌
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 17, 2023
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Man admits assaulting Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale after Tottenham match
A 35-year-old man has admitted assaulting the Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the end of the north London derby.
“What mattress does he use?”
When it comes to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s sleeping arrangements, Sean Dyche intends to find out. Andy Hunter reports on Everton’s attempt to get to the bottom of the forward’s persistent fitness issues:
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A bit of Merseyside derby news that emerged yesterday – ICYMI, and all that:
Liverpool and Everton have been charged by the Football Association following a “mass confrontation” between their players during Monday’s Merseyside derby in the Premier League.
The incident took place in the 86th minute, which Liverpool won 2-0 at Anfield.
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford and Liverpool defender Andy Robertson were both booked after a clash near the touchline before the incident escalated, with a number of players and substitutes from both teams becoming involved.
“It’s alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or benches failed to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion, and/or refrained from provocative behaviour,” the FA said in a statement.
The clubs have until 20 February to respond to the charges. (Reuters)
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Leitzig, Nobbs, Blundell, Hanson, Kelly or England … who is your Women’s Super League player of the month? You can register your vote here.
The nominees for @BarclaysFooty February Player of the Month are in!
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) February 17, 2023
🌟 Janina Leitzig
🌟 @JordanNobbs8
🌟 @HanBlundell
🌟 @KirstyHanson3
🌟 @Chloe_Kelly98
🌟 @Bethany_Eng15
Vote now: https://t.co/bi5LGmASGS pic.twitter.com/5iwY55qUYQ
Another sub-plot in today’s football – actually, in fairness, it’s a full-blown plot: the takeover race for Manchester United.
The deadline for bids is 10pm tonight. Jamie Jackson assesses the task for the owner and some key ‘dos and don’ts’, whoever it turns out to be:
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Just a couple of days ago, Neil Warnock was sipping a negroni or two at a New York jazz club … but now he’s back in the UK, and manager of Huddersfield!
John Brewin reports:
A little more from Eddie Howe now, courtesy of Newcastle’s social media operatives.
On the Magpies’ home form:
“It’s been pivotal. We’ve enjoyed playing at home. I think, lately, we’ve been a bit frustrated as we’ve want more goals and clear cut chances. Teams have defended well against us with a clear plan and it’s up to us to find solutions.”
On the late Sir Bobby Robson, who would have turned 90 tomorrow: “I consider myself unfortunate not to have met him but I’ve heard lots of stories about him from people connected to the club. He did incredible things for this football club.”
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Sky Sports News just ran an interview with Odsonne Édouard, the Crystal Palace forward, whose return of five goals so far this season is not as many as he (or his manager Patrick Vieira) would like.
“We don’t score enough. We need to improve in every aspect,” Édouard says. “… We need to have more balance in the midfield … I need to score more goals, I need to give more assists. Sometimes it’s like this, it’s hard, but I need to keep working to help the team.
“This moment is hard, especially for a striker. You have to keep working, to never give up, and my time will come. It’s all you can do. I just need to score one goal, and that’s it. Yeah, just keep working.”
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Barcelona and Manchester United drew 2-2 in a Europa League playoff last night. It sounded like a cracker, but Erik Ten Hag believes his side should have had more, insisting that Jules Koundé should have been sent off for a foul on Marcus Rashford when the Red Devils led 2-1:
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The Newcastle manager, Eddie Howe, hopes to have striker Callum Wilson and midfielder Joe Willock fit for next Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. Wilson missed last weekend’s 1-1 Premier League draw at Bournemouth with a hamstring problem, and Willock was forced off at the Vitality Stadium with a similar injury.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s league meeting with Liverpool, Howe said: “Callum has done really well. As we said at the time, it was a very minor complaint for him. He hasn’t trained yet, we hope he trains today and then he’s in contention.
“Joe, we haven’t seen yet. I think he’ll be doubtful for the game tomorrow. We don’t think it’s a big injury at all, it’s a very minor complaint with his hamstring, so we hope to get him back very quickly.”
Asked if Willock had a chance of facing Manchester United at Wembley, Howe, who confirmed Miguel Almirón and Allan Saint-Maximin had not suffered any significant damage at Bournemouth, said: “Yes, definitely there’s a chance.”
He added: “As I said after the game, we didn’t think Miggy’s was bad, he took a knock on his hand. It was enough for him to come off in the game, but it wasn’t enough to give him any long-term damage. Maxi was pretty quickly back on his feet and was OK, so pretty early we knew that those injuries weren’t serious. Joe was the big concern and, after a scan, we got some good news that it’s not serious.” (PA Media)
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Let’s crank things up another notch with 10 things to look out for in the Premier League this weekend:
On Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, Arteta’s compatriot, the former Arsenal manager: “He will always put a very difficult test. He is a very good manager,” Arteta says. “I have huge respect for him, and for what he has done at every club he has been and the success he has had. Big respect for him.”
Of the loss against City, Arteta believes Arsenal were the architects of their own downfall: “You have to give credit to a team when they beat you, but when you analyse the game again, I think we lost it.”
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As for a fitness update from the Gunners, Arteta said that Thomas Partey continues to suffer from a back muscle problem and will be assessed before tomorrow’s match at Aston Villa. So there is a chance he will be involved.
Gabriel Jesus is still out, although getting closer to fitness, but in better news, Emile Smith Rowe will be training today. “If he’s fine [after training], he will be in the squad,” Arteta says of Smith Rowe.
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Arsenal 'highly motivated' for title challenge, says Arteta
The Arsenal head coach, Mikel Arteta, is naturally staying upbeat despite giving up top spot in the Premier League this week after the 3-1 defeat by Manchester City.
“I know the right things we have to do to continue to be there [at the top],” Arteta said. “We have seen where the level is and what we have to do to be at that level, we are in that journey. There are a lot of positive things to take from the season … I have seen it with my eyes … We know that the level of efficiency has to be good with every single ball to beat them [Manchester City] at the end. I repeat myself but the team are highly motivated to do that. If you want to win the league you are going to have to dig deep … you have to win in many different contexts.”
Asked what his minimum expectation for the season is – EG Champions League qualification – Arteta refuses to look too far ahead: “The minimum is today that they need to train exceptionally well - that is the minimum.”
Regarding Arsenal’s recent slump, the Spaniard says: “We have to look at ourselves. We have to be more efficient - with amount of play and situations we generated we haven’t had enough points. That is down to us, we have to improve on that because we want to win more games. So we are highly motivated for tomorrow’s game because we want to perform well and win the game.”
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Football. There is more of it happening this weekend. As I type, football managers are speaking to football journalists around the country. So let’s get straight to the football.
Eddie Howe’s having a chat now, before Newcastle’s meeting against Liverpool tomorrow, and Mikel Arteta has already spoken to media as he surveys the wreckage of Arsenal’s title challenge prepares his Gunners team to bounce back at Aston Villa tomorrow lunchtime, following defeat by Manchester City in midweek.
Football!
