Issue 36 - Nasty In Nottingham

Managers are already wobbling, the sack race is heating up, and England call-ups are dividing opinion. Ange’s January exit? Don’t bet against it. Another weekend of Premier League action to review. Issue 36. Go!

Gone By January

I am going to put my neck on the line here.

Ange Postecoglou will be sacked as Nottingham Forest by January 31st 2026.

Why? Here’s why.

First Forest manager to not win any of the first six games in charge.

Boos of discontent already ringing out around the City Ground because of the aforementioned form.

The same tactics that were borderline suicidial at Tottenham

Not the same personnel that can absorb Premier League misery and then win in the Europa League

A very erratic Greek owner who is not shy when it comes to having a row

The promoted clubs holding their own at the start of this season creating actual jeopardy for the those in the bottom half.

If Forest are hovering around the bottom three (or worse) at the turn of the year, I think this experiment comes to an end and a firefighter is deployed to keep Forest up.

That is my theory. Do you agree?

Let me know in the comments below or feel free to email me.

Ten Quick Tackles

A look at the main talking points as we head into the upcoming Premier League weekend.

Bournemouth vs Fulham

Week seven of this season’s Premier League soap opera gets underway at the Vitality Stadium and with Bournemouth’s unbeaten run of five league games currently serving as the second longest in the division, they will look to extend it further at the expense of Fulham.

Fulham were on the road last weekend and are back on their travels as they make a relatively short trip to the South Coast. Last Sunday’s trip to Aston Villa was one that saw them return to Craven Cottage empty handed and Marco Silva’s men are yet to pick up an away league win.

Leeds vs Tottenham

Leeds return to Elland Road where five of their eight league points have already been collected. One further addition to the bank account could have been three last weekend at home to Bournemouth, failure to see out the game is not a mistake Daniel Farke will want to see twice in as many weekends.

While Tottenham need to be mindful of failing to start on the front foot. In each of their last three outings in all competitions, Thomas Frank’s men have conceded first (in two occasions, they have even gone 2-0 down) but have at least managed to salvage draws from there. From here though, Spurs need to remember that winning feeling.

Manchester United vs Sunderland

Is Saturday going to be another step on Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United death march? One week you think they are making the slightest of progress. The following week, that progress is undone. The Red Devils’ are the posterboys for inconsistency right now.

Which cannot be said about Sunderland and with them already earning 11 points, they are just one point away from Southampton paltry 12 from last season. The Saints marker not important but it does gave an inclination of the Black Cats being able to handle themselves. Can they cause even more misery for United?

Arsenal vs West Ham

After only collecting one point from the recent clashes with Liverpool and Manchester City, it looked as if Arsenal were on the backfoot in terms of the early title race. Fast forward to this weekend and the Gunners could find themsevles top of the table on Saturday.

A win over West Ham would secure it but whether that return is for two hours or two weeks depends on events in the game below. Mikel Arteta’s men play host to West Ham as Nuno Espirito Santo oversees his second game in charge. He may have to wait until a home bow to earn a first win.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca would have felt some heat after defeat to Brighton last weekend. Heat that would have slightly dissipated after the Blues’ midweek Champions League win over Benfica. The return of the ‘Special One’ turning out to be not that special.

Champions League success for the Blues. Champions League defeat for the Reds in midweek and with Alisson picking up an injury at Galatasaray, manager Arne Slot will hand the gloves to Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Can the former Valencia man get off to the perfect start?

Everton vs Crystal Palace

A second successive home game for Everton after their 1-1 draw on Monday with West Ham. Another point on the board but it is now no league win in three for David Moyes men. Still a bright start overall but a lack of in-game management has perhaps cost them.

No such worry for visitors Crystal Palace who extended their lengthy unbeaten run in all competitions on Thursday after getting the better of Dynamo Kyiv in the Europa Conference League. The only unbeaten team left in the Premier League, will that record be in tact when the next international break appears?

Aston Villa vs Burnley

Aston Villa’s momentum continues after a second successive win in the Europa League and third win in all competitions. Have the West Midlands outfit got rid of their slow start or will continental exploits leave them vunerable in their Premier League return on Sunday.

Opponents Burnley were certainly vunerable last weekend when travelling to Manchester City and the 5-1 defeat will have no doubt hurt Scott Parker and his players. You get the feeling that the Clarets are where they are for good reason, a reason that may carry through to the end of the season.

Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest

After a resounding Champions League win on Wednesday, Newcastle would have gone some way to putting their mugging at the hands of Arsenal behind them. An expert win against USG now needs to be followed up with a maximum return at home to Nottingham Forest.

In the previous article, I placed Ange Postecoglou as top of the Premier League Managers Under Pressure Rankings and that was before Forest’s European defeat in midweek. Most importantly, the City Ground outfit are 17th at present and if they suffer another defeat on Sunday, that international break is going to feel even longer.

Wolves vs Brighton

After opening their Premier League account last Saturday, Wolves now have to try and find their first win. No better time than on Sunday but whether there is no better opportunity than when facing Brighton is up arguement. This will not be easy for Vitor Pereira and his players.

Especially as Brighton make the trip to the Midlands fresh off their win over Chelsea last weekend and with the Seagulls not being hampered by any European exploits, a win at Wolves could thrust them into the European places before the enforced October hiatus.

Brentford vs Manchester City

One Manchester scalp last weekend, now Brentford will look to complete the double during this and with Keith Andrews’ men looking to build on the confidence that is slowly building each week, victory over Manchester City would push the Bees into top half territory.

At the same time, Manchester City know that a win in West London would help them continue their march into title territory. If Liverpool drop points in the same area a day before, then Pep Guardiola’s and his players know they simply cannot pass up such an opportunity.

Predictive Power

Five out of 10 correct last week via my AI-led prediction model. Also two correct scores for good measure. A profitable week but still lacking if you placed £1 on each of the 60 games so far. However, that should not deter me as we go again….

Let’s see what it has forecast over the next few days:

What do you think will happen over the course of the Premier League weekend? Get in touch via the email at the bottom of the page.

No England Problems

The latest England squad has been announced and a trio of big names have been left out. Jack Grealish, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham are not reporting for the Three Lions in October.

Maybe an eye raised or two but personally I think there is some logic to the decisions. You could argue that Grealish has played his way back into the squad, but manager Thomas Tuchel cannot call up everyone who has played half decent this season.

It may simply be a case that Grealish is now too far down the pecking order and his England future is now in the past. It may take an incredible season for him to be on the plane to America next summer.

As for the pair of Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham, there is almost a sense that Tuchel cannot win here. If either or both were called up, you can guarantee there would be cries of “what is the point?”

And what is the point for a friendly against Wales and a qualifier against Latvia. Little really. Better to keep these two fresh as possible as they will be plenty of games between now and the end of the season.

How Jordan Henderson is still in the England squad is another thing altogether.

The Filter Five

Five football snippets before the weekend

World Cup Pricing

The World Cup is no longer for you or I. To be honest, it has not been for ages. At these prices, you just hope it will be good on TV. Good luck if you can find a Category 4 ticket for $60. Good gried if you pay over $1,000 to watch the USMNT opening game.

Could Be Worse

For everyone who moans about VAR in the Premier League, you may have to start thinking that maybe things are not all that bad.

Case in point. Kelechi Iheancho for Celtic vs Braga

I’ll link you to the footage in question. Allow yourself to be speechless after watching it.

MIND BLOWING STUFF

Could Be Wirtz

About time, Liverpool’s big summer signing before the even bigger summer signing turns it on for his new employers. He may look good at the moment, he may come good but for that investment, manager Arne Slot needs to start seeing a return on it.

New Leadership Group

Tottenham have named their prefects for the 2025/26 season.

Ben Davies announced as Head Boy.

Fantasy Stuff

FPL deadline is 18:30 tonight (UK time). I’ve made three transfers - all banked from previous weeks. I am SO back!

Admin

Right, that’s the end of issue 36 as word continues to spread around the football world.

If you liked issue 36, tell a friend and forward it on. If you didn’t like issue 36 please tell me why.

We are edging towards 60 subs as the momentum continues throughout this early part of the season, a big thanks to all those that have joined the squad in the past few days.

Send your thoughts in, not only of the newsletter but of the game itself. It’s all about building a community you see.

[email protected]

Issue 37 will be out on Tuesday October 7th

Thanks for reading

Dan