Ok, we’re going this out in the usual way, with The Fiver.
And this, on fans being allowed into stadia. Thanks for reading today.
Any takers?
NEWS: Due to several opposition clubs dropping out this week, AFC Telford United are looking for a pre-season friendly at the New Bucks Head tomorrow afternoon.
— AFC Telford United (@telfordutd) September 25, 2020
Please email secretary@afctu.co.uk pic.twitter.com/VOTJ0lsgIH
Quiz! Quiz! Quiz!
Jürgen Klopp has been blowing smoke up Mikel Arteta.
Done deal! Lionel Messi sobs salt tears.
🔴⚪ #SuárezRojiblanco
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) September 25, 2020
👍 @LuisSuarez9
🏟 Wanda @Metropolitano
🏧 #AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/XcendnXkxp
Graham Potter is buttering up Manchester United before Brighton mug them on Saturday lunchtime.
At the back end of lockdown they were as good as anybody. The front four - Martial, Rashford, Greenwood and Fernandes - were, I thought, sensational. They’ve got some wonderful players and I think they will get stronger and stronger as the season goes on and they will be a force for the Premier League. Obviously they finished their season later with Europa League games and they are probably not at the same level that they were at in terms of against Crystal Palace. But sometimes that’s a bit of a process to get to that point. I’m sure they will get better and better as the time goes on because their summer has been a bit disrupted, more so than maybe other teams, especially us. But they are still strong, they are going to be a top team with top players and we know we’re in for a heck of game.
League Two news, and it’s bad news. Grimsby v Colchester is off. One of the Grimsby players has tested positive for Covid-19.
BREAKING NEWS: #GTFC's clash against #CTFC postponed following positive coronavirus test. Full story to follow...
— Grimsby Town News (@grimsbytownlive) September 25, 2020
As a result of one of our first team squad players contracting COVID-19, our fixture away at Cheltenham Town, scheduled for Saturday 26th September has been postponed.
In line with medical advice received from the EFL, our own medical team and in line with Government guidelines, all players will now face a period of self-isolation at home.
The club did consider testing the squad today however, the medical advice received was that such testing would be of no effect as the incubation period of the virus being a minimum of five days, with the squad last being in contact with the player three days ago.
In addition, we have received confirmation from the EFL that match passes purchased for tomorrow’s fixture will be valid for the fixture when it is rearranged. A revised date for the rearranged fixture will be confirmed in due course.
The health and well-being the staff and players of both Grimsby Town and Cheltenham Town is of paramount importance and overrides all other considerations.
We would like to wish the player a speedy recovery.
Marcelo Bielsa has bestowed his approval on Chris Wilder ahead of Sunday’s match between Sheffield United and Leeds.
The way that he manages to set up his team awakens interest in me to learn from him. After their very good season in the Premier League, it shows that we’re going to be up against a team that is very well prepared. It’s very clear the importance of what Sheffield United have done. First getting promoted and then the season they have just had in the Premier League.
They are a team with a particular style of play, which is ingrained and well-oiled, and they have a very, very good manager He’s been able to ingrain his ideas into his players and they clearly feel comfortable in the system that is being impose. This is one of the virtues of a good manager and coach, someone who’s able to ingrain his ideas on his players to make it look comfortable. They are a practical team, very difficult to face, and I feel the game on Sunday is a big challenge for us.
More on man of the day Ralf Rangnick, an all-round good egg it seems.
This evening we had a new donation on our Crowdfunder, it was £1000 ! We then saw the support message and who it was from. Yes , former wicker RALF RANGNICK ! Everybody at the club is truly appreciative and cannot thank you enough. Wow, thank you Ralf. Thank you very much ⚫️🔴⚽️ pic.twitter.com/aykbEfshH7
— Southwick 1882 FC (@SFC_TheWickers) September 24, 2020
The previews continue...
You will all be pleased to know that John Brewin is back from his hiatus.
Fulham manager Scott Parker says his team an ill-afford to dwell on the defeats they have suffered in the opening two games, conceding seven goals in the process.
Aston Villa are up next for Fulham, with three points the target as Parker looks to kickstart at season which already looks to set to result in a relegation battle.
“Football clubs are always a lot better and the atmosphere and the mood is a lot better when you’re winning,” Parker said. “But I think I’ve said this from the outset, and it’ll remain my main voice this year, that we’re going to lose football matches this year and we can’t afford them to really cripple us and we can’t take that into a really negative spiral.
“As much as we want to win games and we want to try and get points on the board, at the same time we need to stay quite level in what we’re doing. I’ve been involved in relegation teams and the one thing that gets teams relegated in the end is that spiral effect, that knock-on effect it has on you, and the dent in the whole atmosphere and confidence, team spirit and adhesion. In the end it saps you and it buries you really.”
Nottingham Forest have signed Nicholas Ioannou from Apoel in Cyprus. Luckily, I interviewed him last year for this very newspaper. His mother is English - from Norwich - but he he a full international with Cyprus.
Wilfred Ndidi is set to undergo surgery this week due an abductor problem. The injury could see the Nigerian miss three months of action.
Confirming the need for Nigeria international Ndidi to have an operation, Brendan Rodgers said: “That will probably take place tomorrow [Saturday] morning. It’s unfortunate. It has come right off the bone, so he is going to be (out) up to 12 weeks we think.
“Towards the end of last season, he felt some pain there and he felt it late and felt it during the Burnley game, but he carried on with his amazing spirit. But when we got the scan after the game, it did not show up so well. It is unfortunate. I am sure he will make a good recovery, but there is no doubt he will be a miss.”
Let the match previews begin!
Starting with Burnley v Southampton.
Frank Lampard has already signed seven new senior players this summer but might not be done just yet. Edouard Mendy’s arrival from Rennes this weekend added to a list of new names, consisting of Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr.
There is still the lurking rumour that Declan Rice might move across London to join Chelsea. Asked about the West Ham midfielder, Lampard said: “Again they are rumours, I can’t talk about these things, but when players are ours it’s not my position to speculate on what may be, and it’s the same on the other side from players from other clubs. And I’ll continue that way.”
A touching moment in training. Possibly discussing Leicester’s reported big for Burnley defender James Tarkowski.
Wolves boss Nuno Espírito Santo has called on the Government to accelerate coronavirus testing results. The Portuguese believes clubs are struggling to prepare because of the delays.
Nuno takes his team to West Ham on Sunday, with Hammers boss David Moyes unable to attend after contracting coronavirus this week along with Issa Diop and Josh Cullen.
Wolves were tested on Friday but will not know the results until Saturday, leaving Nuno urging the Government to speed up. He said: “It’s tough for us, you get tested – we got tested today – and we don’t know the results. We’re preparing for the match on Sunday and having the stress about the final result, can you use a player, can you not?
“We are living in a bubble and every time a fan asks for a photo or for you to sign something you have to keep your distance. It’s very disruptive for preparation and planning. Faster results of the test would help all the teams immensely so we can proceed without having these problems.”
Prior to their meeting this weekend, Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has lambasted criticism of Spurs’ Jose Mourinho. The former Chelsea boss has come under greater scrutiny in recent years as he has failed to match his trophy-laden spells at Stamford Bridge since returning to the Premier League with Manchester United and Spurs.
“It gives me all the encouragement that I need that people can criticise Jose Mourinho,” Bruce said. “Let’s be brutally honest here, he’s going to go down in folklore for what he’s already achieved. What he’s won is probably only bettered by Sir Alex, so how he gets criticised is ridiculous because he is one of the great coaches, managers certainly of the last decade or two. I’ve got the hugest respect.
“I know how difficult a job it is to go and win things like he’s done in every country he’s been to, and the trophies he’s won and what he’s achieved, where he started from, where he is, you can only take your hat off to him and say as a fellow coach, manager, ‘Well done’.
“He’s been terrific and he still is.”
Veteran striker Craig Mackail-Smith has joined Bedford Town who play in the Pitching In Southern League
Statement from my other social media accounts 😊 pic.twitter.com/SLq1XKe5PD
— Craig Mackail-Smith (@12CMS12) September 25, 2020
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has called on Premier League clubs to help those lower down the pyramid. It is feared clubs in the Football League will struggle financially due to the fact fans are banned from attending, cutting off an important revenue stream.
Wilder has plenty of experience in the Football League, having managed Northampton Town and bringing the Blades up from League One.
“I do sympathise with the clubs outside the Premier League because they rely on supporters coming through the door,” Wilder said. “From a business point of view they’ve taken huge hits and hopefully everybody will come through it, but there has to be a concern about what’s going off at the moment.
“Nobody wants any club to go by the wayside, we’ve talked about it far too many times already recently with Bury and other clubs. Bury are a club with over 100 years of history and have gone in a heartbeat through mismanagement. Regardless of what the administrators of the Premier League do, it will be decided by the Premier League clubs. If anything can be done by the Premier League and they make a decision collectively, if they make a decision to help then we would.”
New Spurs defender Sergio Reguilón is unlikely to feature against Newcastle this weekend due to a lack of match fitness. Gareth Bale is also unavailable after also arriving from Real Madrid this week due to a knee injury.
David Moyes will manage West Ham against Wolves on Sunday from home, Alan Irvine has confirmed. The Hammers boss tested positive for coronavirus this week, along with players Josh Cullen and Issa Diop.
“David will be the manager. Everything we do will be run through him first of all and he will make the decisions on everything,” Irvine said.
“He would make the decisions anyway but, like for this press conference, I am the messenger.”
I’m going to pass the baton to Will Unwin, who will guide you through the early afternoon. Bye.
Brendan Rodgers has confirmed Wilfried Ndidi needs surgery to repair his adductor injury. He will most likely go under the knife on Saturday and is expected to be out for about 12 weeks. On the plus side, Rodgers confirmed that Jonny Evans is back: he will most probably go straight back into central defence against Manchester City. Gulp! Also, Ricardo Pereira is back in training and considered to be four to five weeks away from being available for match action.
Mikel Arteta did not exactly knock down a link with the Chelsea midfielder, Jorginho, when asked at his press conference this lunch time. A report on Thursday suggested the Brazilian, who was of great interest to Manchester City during Arteta’s time there, could be an alternative to long-standing top target Thomas Partey. “We are still open to improve our team,” he said when questioned directly about Jorginho. “We are looking for different options depending on what happens with some of our players here so we are getting prepared just in case we need to do something.” Unsurprisingly, he wouldn’t engage in specific discussions about Jorginho’s qualities. Arteta rarely says “yes” or “no” to transfer questions so it is hard to know whether much should really be read into this. But Arsenal will certainly be looking at backup plans if they can’t get Partey or another target, Houssem Aouar, over the line in the next 10 days.
Carlo Ancelotti says Everton “are not looking” for another goalkeeper and Jordan Pickford “has my total confidence. He’s a great goalkeeper.” The Toffees manager was also full of praise for the Premier League’s joint-top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin:
He has the quality of a fantastic striker. A fantastic striker can be a top striker if he can put in consistency, and that means goals. Our strikers should be happy because behind them we have fantastic assist men. If they don’t score 20 goals each they will have a problem with me. I would score goals with these assist men behind me!
Updated
Liverpool will be without captain Jordan Henderson when they face Arsenal at Anfield on Monday after he failed to recover from a knock he picked up against Chelsea. Does that mean Thiago Alcântara will start? “We will see,” said Jürgen Klopp. “We have a few days to train, some players have to recover from last night [the 7-2 Carabao Cup win over Lincoln] but he is in contention.” Joe Gomez is set to return to training which means Fabinho will be available to play in midfield after playing at centre-half in the past two games.
Updated
Charlton under new ownership
Here’s what Charlton’s new owner, the rock ‘n’ roll businessman Thomas Sandgaard, said when explaining why he wanted to buy the League One club:
I have always had two passions – rock music and football. I was a bit of a nerd when I was 13 so decided to go out and buy a guitar because I loved music and wanted to be one of the cool kids – and become a rock musician. I ultimately ended up playing in lots of rock bands in the seventies and early eighties. My love of football started when I played at an amateur level in Denmark and then really fell in love with the English game when I watched the FA Cup finals on Danish television in the 1970s. In the last few years, I’ve reached a point financially where I can really do something like this. Four months ago, a friend asked, ‘Have you thought about owning an English football club?’ And I thought, wow, that could be one of the most positive things that I could ever be a part of.
Updated
Pep Guardiola reckons that after checking in every utility room and storage cupboard at Manchester City’s training complex, he could find only 13 fit senior players for the match against Leicester at the Etihad on Sunday. It’s bad news for Pep but good news for Rory Delap’s son, Liam.
Well, the situation we have right now, we have just 13 players available in the first team. We need the academy [players], not just for the training sessions. They can be selected during the games. With the problems we have up front, of course Liam [Delap] will stay with us. We’ll see if we need him or use him. But we cannot forget, like the same way we spoke about Phil Foden in previous seasons, he’s just 17 years old. He has a lot of things to improve, steps need their own time.
Hello. Gregg here. I’ll keep you well-stocked with red-hot football #content while John is grabbing a break. And what could be hotter than the first meeting of Leeds and Sheffield United in the top flight for 26 years?
Here’s the Blades boss:
“For a local boy of course, there’s obviously two teams where it adds a bit more to the game. We have had some fabulous games against Leeds over the years. It’s a big rivalry. It’s always interesting to play Leeds United. There’s history between the clubs. You can’t get away from the fact Leeds United are a huge club in English football with what they’ve achieved in the past. It’s great for them to be back in the Premier League. We’re looking, obviously, to gain our first points of the season on Sunday against a team that won’t change their approach just like we didn’t change our approach going into the Premier League. We’re disappointed with the points tally so far but it is early days and there’s plenty of football to be played. These are challenges that we have to come through.
Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun and Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster have been linked with moves to Sheffield United and, although Wilder was reluctant to name drop, he admitted he was eager to add a bit more firepower to his squad.
It’s a difficult one for me to say we haven’t made enquiries about those two players. But overall, I’m not really comfortable speaking about other players at other clubs. We’ve enquired about a number of players and hopefully we’ll get one over the line. It’s an area we need to improve.
Updated
Ralf Rangnick, the Red Bull mastermind, and someone to whom Jürgen Klopp is close, has been an enlightening pundit on Sky Sports today, and has had plenty to say. Here is some very high praise for Chelsea’s new golden boy.
Ralf Rangnick on #Havertz: “I have no doubt he will be a sustainable success & become one of the top players over the next few years. I tried to sign him in Leipzig. I don’t see any weaknesses in his football. He is a modern Johan Cruyff. This transfer will be a success for #CFC"
— Paul Brown (@pbsportswriter) September 25, 2020
What could possibly go wrong?
⌛ #cafc pic.twitter.com/vk5crHwK6E
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) September 25, 2020
Jürgen Klopp is playing it cagey on Rhian Brewster while also hinting that he is probably for the off. He’s been speaking at his Friday press conference ahead of the match with Arsenal on Monday.
It should not surprise you. We don’t really speak about any transfer rumours. He was not in the squad, you can make of it what you want. We have nothing really to say. No news.
Done deal. Mbwana Samatta has signed for Fenerbahce on an initial season-long loan.
I wish to thank Aston Villa for giving me the opportunity to fulfill my dream of playing in the Premier League.A special thanks to all Villans for the amazing support you gave me during my time at the club.I wish you all the best of luck for the rest of the season@AVFCOfficial pic.twitter.com/nngbU6fDNv
— mbwana samatta (@Samagoal_77) September 25, 2020
These young men - and Willian - made a good first impression.
More Jürgen Klopp to follow but he has addressed the burning issue of the day.
Jurgen Klopp holding his pre-Arsenal press conference now.
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) September 25, 2020
On PL clubs helping EFL sides: "In general, I think people in a better position should help people in a less good position, 100 per cent."#LFC
If this is correct, then Charlton Athletic are under new ownership.
Thomas Saandgard’s Twitter profile describes himself as: “Entrepreneur, Rockstar CEO, Founder of Zynex. Inventor.”
Charlton Fans, I can’t thank you enough for your support and patience. #FansAreTheFirstToKnow #SeaOfRed #CheerForCharlton pic.twitter.com/9hwuUHB9dW
— Thomas Sandgaard (@SandgaardThomas) September 25, 2020
And here’s an interview with the Lorient president Loïc Féry, speaking to our friends at Get French Football News.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been asked about the dire situation so many lower-league clubs now find themselves in.
The situation we are in and the virus and everything, it is so difficult to predict what is going to happen and now when the rate is going up and fans aren’t coming in, it is even worse for football and society in general. So yes, I am worried for League One and League Two clubs, lower teams, of course we are - but all the Premier League teams are losing money. Hopefully we can get back and football will be normal and we won’t lose too many clubs. How can we do it? We need clubs locally. We have seen Bury, we have seen Macclesfield, Wigan, in trouble, so it’s not a nice situation to be in.
And here’s some further detail on Lionel Messi’s latest strop.
On the Leyton Orient issue, this raises an important point. Hull’s manager said his team had refused to take tests ahead of the West Ham game.
As mentioned in 10 things and in the preamble, Sunday at Bramall Lane will be a re-staging of a very famous match.
Feel the quality of the goals in this game, and for that matter the commentary. Bonus points for the mention of half-time oranges.
Suzanne Wrack has written this excellent profile piece on Alex Morgan, a genuine world star who will be playing for Tottenham.
Further details from Ben Fisher on that Leyton Orient story.
Lionel Messi has taken his latest shot at Barcelona, this time over the departure of Luis Suárez. On Instagram, he has not held back.
It will be strange to see you with another shirt and much more to face you. You deserved the goodbye for what you are: one of the most important players in the club’s history, achieving important things both as a group and individually. “And not to get kicked out like they did. But the truth is that at this point nothing surprises me. I wish you all the best in this new challenge. I love you very much.
Spurs get bye against Orient
Tottenham have been awarded a Carabao Cup bye after their game with Leyton Orient was called off after an outbreak of Covid-19 at the League Two club. Orient’s game with Walsall this weekend has also been postponed as their squad self-isolate.
EFL statement here:
In accordance with Carabao Cup Rules, Tottenham Hotspur have been awarded with a bye to progress to Round Four of the Carabao Cup and will now play Chelsea on Tuesday 29 September.
The Round Three tie scheduled for Tuesday 22 September between Leyton Orient and Tottenham Hotspur could not take place following the issue by Waltham Forest Borough Council of an order preventing the match being played as planned. This followed a number of Leyton Orient players testing positive for COVID-19.
The EFL Board has determined that in line with Carabao Cup Rule 5.1, the Club was unable to fulfil its obligations to complete the fixture by virtue of the Council’s order and shall therefore forfeit the tie.
Updated
Roy Hodgson says left-back Tyrick Mitchell can follow in the footsteps of fellow Crystal Palace academy graduate Aaron Wan-Bissaka, speaking ahead of the match with Everton.
Tyrick got his chance last season when Patrick [van Aanholt] dislocated his shoulder and he has taken that chance well and really continued it since the start of the new season. I hope he will continue to improve and I hope people won’t start to put exceptional pressure on him because he’s still a very young man and he’s still in the absolute nursery in terms of his career. Aaron looked very much like Tyrick when he came in and took the game by storm, and he made the position his own very quickly. I wouldn’t disagree that in terms of being thrown in with no-one knowing much about him, I think there’s a direct parallel between the two players.
Let’s be honest here, Premier League football should not be the big story considering the fate that may await smaller clubs in all sports. Two pertinent stories here. First, Sean Ingle’s news story.
And Barney Ronay’s feature piece.
In case you missed it, the Uefa Super Cup took place last night and in front of 15,000 fans in Budapest. Javi Martínez scored the winner in what is likely to be his last game for Bayern.
Super sub Javi Martínez! 🔥
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 24, 2020
The Spaniard heads in less than five minutes after coming on 👏
Another trophy looms for Bayern Munich... pic.twitter.com/4JBgiFj0ta
And Ole Gunnar Solskjær has been talking ahead of that Brighton v Manchester United match.
As I’ve said many times I’m very confident in my players. If and when something happens, both ins and outs, we’ll update you. In football you can’t predict too much.
“For me, I’m just working on getting better. My focus is solely on the game, I can’t be thinking any other way. We need points and then we can talk again. “I think last season proved to us how we can defend at our best. Last week wasn’t fantastic, we conceded sloppy goals, but our defensive record shows that with Eric (Bailly) and Harry (Maguire) how good a partnership they were, but also the whole team defending as a team. Eric now is fit again and that’s a big, big bonus. I’m looking forward to seeing him develop and playing more games this season because we’ve been waiting for him to first be fit and then to play more regularly.
Correction from Jamie Jackson, our man on the scene/Zoom - “Eric (Bailly) and Harry (Maguire) how good a partnership they were” - refers in fact to Victor Lindelöf and Harry Maguire rather than the lesser spotted Eric Bailly.
Updated
And the latest on Manchester United’s summer of transfer troubles.
As
per Jamie Jackson.
United’s stance is similar to the Brazilian’s and it is understood a valuation in the region of £12m is viewed as more realistic. There is an awareness in the player’s camp and at United that Porto’s need for money from Telles’s sale to finance investment in Sérgio Conceição’s squad may force down the fee. Telles would be clear in January to talk to clubs about a summer move as a free agent.
Let’s start the day with some piping red-hot rumours.
Preamble
Football: relentless. Last week’s Premier League action feels a world away since this has been a few days in which the Carabao Cup, Europa League and Uefa Super Cup have been squeezed in. No rest for the wicked or the Premier League footballer.
What awaits us this weekend in the Premier League? Manchester United were hopeless last week, and need to be much much better at Brighton in the Saturday lunchtime kick-off. Everton the entertainers go to Crystal Palace and a 100 percent record, possibly two of them, must go. Then comes West Brom v Chelsea, which will be a severe test of Slaven Bilic’s men. Burnley v Southampton closes out the Saturday schedule; Saints have been surprisingly rubbish so far this season.
Sunday: an all-Yorkshire derby with memories of 1992 as Leeds travel to Sheffield United for a noon kick-off. Then comes Tottenham v Newcastle. José Mourinho has a poor record up in the north east but less so when facing the region’s clubs in London. Manchester City v Leicester offers another chance to watch Pep Guardiola’s latest art experiment against the embryonic league table leaders. Then comes crisis club West Ham and their Sunday evening meeting with Wolves.
As is now habitual, there are two Monday matches. Pointless Fulham welcome Aston Villa in the early slot while the biggest match of this round finishes us off with Liverpool v Arsenal.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leicester | 2 | 5 | 6 |
| 2 | Everton | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 3 | Arsenal | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 4 | Liverpool | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 7 | Man City | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 8 | Brighton | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 9 | Aston Villa | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 10 | Leeds | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 11 | Chelsea | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 | Wolverhampton | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 13 | Newcastle | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| 14 | Burnley | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| 15 | Man Utd | 1 | -2 | 0 |
| 16 | West Ham | 2 | -3 | 0 |
| 17 | Sheff Utd | 2 | -3 | 0 |
| 18 | Fulham | 2 | -4 | 0 |
| 19 | Southampton | 2 | -4 | 0 |
| 20 | West Brom | 2 | -6 | 0 |
Updated
That EFL decision to award us a bye into the next round will set a nasty precedence I fear. Orient didn't have to accept our offer of testing them and now they're out. Clubs will just refuse to test now.
Not saying the EFL were wrong necessarily in what they did as it's a fixture pile up nightmare. But Orient are being punished for doing the right thing here whereas other teams refused to test and got to play.