Football 2022/23

[Roger]

An update on that Alfie, its 'Gary Johnson's Yellow Army' again now    after FIVE wins in a row. 3 games left and less than 2 wins will mean TUFC relegated to the nether worlds.

What a crazy season in the EPL - as seen from our scores this season.

The collapse of form at Liverpool, Chelsea, West Ham and Leicester has surprised with Brighton, Brentford and Fulham exceeding expectations  The strong running of Arsenal and Newcastle also stands out.

For me Arsenal have Arteta's moody aspect about them now and it's hard not to wonder if their spirit has cracked. My 3 Sons are all Leeds fans - the middle Son at Leeds with mates last night for a weekend treat     He returns to Cornwall tomorrow with 2 stops needed with his EV   

I suppose it's inevitable that Players exploit their positions to the max but some clubs have found themselves in expensive potholes - as an example, I see at Chelsea, Raheem Sterling £350,000-per-week and Romelu Lukaku back in the fold shortly at £325,000-per-week - what a disaster that is. Notts Forest have Jesse Lingard £120,000-per-week, Chris Wood £100,000-per-week and Jonjo Shelvey £75,000-per-week, none of whom look value for money !

Most Clubs top Players seem on around £100-120K but Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs have the crazy earners. Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton topping out at £50-70K   

It's sheer madness and guess who pays in the end - that's much maligned and foolish owners and the Fans !

I noticed this in the DM  https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11946347/The-three-earners-Premier-League-club.html

Good luck to your team   

[Teessider]

About to watch Preston v Sunderland. A win would give us a gooc chance of making the play offs. They are a young team and far from PL standards but Mowbray has done a good job. I won't be too disappointed if they don't make it.

[Roger]

Good luck Teess. I remember Swindon Town in their heyday playing Sunderland who brought thousands and thousands of Fans down. Sunderland are one of those Clubs that should be up there ! Next season perhaps.

Might have been in the days of Summerbee, Hunt etc. or those of the unbelievable, Don Rogers.

[Teessider]

Wow. Sunderland played brilliantly. They have no centre forward and no centre backs due to injuries. They lost their right back at half time so played without one and had a winger at left back. Their ball players Amad, Roberts, Clarke and Pritchard were superb with 3 of them scoring. Luton in the play offs with a possible Wembley final against Middlesbrough!

[Roger]

Teess I see your Boys are away at Luton today - good luck ! IMO it'll be Sunderland or Middlesborough to go through at the end. Seems crazy that Coventry are in the running - for me they're outsiders.

What a season it's been in the EPL ! Chelsea's slump a shock to most but they have laboured all season - so far Man City have 16 MORE wins than CFC and Arsenal 14 MORE - that's stunning and for CFC the indignity of finishing below my dear old Fulham . . . . . when did that last happen ?

Man City's game in hand could give them a 7 point lead - that's quite some turnaround and you have to feel a bit sorry for Arsenal.

Liverpool can leapfrog both Man Utd and Newcastle if they slip up in their last 3 games - Liverpool have only 2 to play. Brighton, Brentford and Fulham have been so consistent - realy good seasons for them.

And a great rally from Villa with Emery at the helm. I'd like to see Leeds escape relegation as my 3 Sons support them - but it looks dicey to say the least.

It's been a great season and a bit more to come   

[Roger]

Teess I was sorry to see Sunderland lose out - I saw most of the game and thought that Luton did play some good football at times. Now they face Coventry in the final. I'll be surprised if Luton or Coventry survive in the EPL but we'll see. Next season for your team then 

What a fabulous performance by Man City last night    I hope they win the European Cup at last - what a team !

[Teessider]

The injuries to our centre backs cost us against a big team like Luton. Not too disappointed really  as we are not ready yet for the PL. We need a couple of big defenders, a midfield enforcer and an injury free Ross Stewart (the Loch Ness Drogba). Amad will go back to Old Trafford.

[Teessider]

Ivan Toney banned for 8 months for betting on football matches. With half the teams shirts sponsored by gambling companies, grounds covered in gambling adverts, the EFL sponsored by gambling is there a whiff of hypocrisy here?