Under Our Jurisdiction

Issue 22 - Football Beyond Borders (original thoughts on the topic)

It was first mooted back in August that Barcelona and Villarreal had plans to play one of their La Liga matches in Miami. Fast forward a few days and then AC Milan and Como wanted to gain some Avois points by staging a Serie A clash in Perth (Australia not Scotland).

Cries of “this cannot happen” well in the words of former Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy

“It can”

In news that is a surprise to nobody but still worrying at the same time, UEFA have greenlit these two fixtures. Football now goes beyond boarders, the genie is out of the bottle, the game is gone.

A decision that is made all the more confusing by UEFA’s stance of

“We don’t like it, but we have to go along with it”

The thing is, they don’t have to go along with it, they are UEFA. They are the governing bodies.

The powerbrokers of European football saying that these two examples have found a loophole and that the proper structures of governance where not legally in place to stop these fixtures being staged in Miami and Perth.

UEFA’s language also suggests that they will be closing those loopholes, so that it never happens again but as we all know money talks and league football across Europe could be talking a brand new language over the next few years.

The Home Front

It also begs the question as to how the Premier League will react to this news.

Publically, they will be saying that playing games abroad is of no interest to them.

Privately, owners up and down the country will be rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of taking the Premier League tour.

Admittedly, leagues such as Serie A and La Liga feel the need to go on the road because they cannot compare with the financial might of the Premier League. In a sense, these two fixtures become an element of USP.

Should the Premier League follow suit, then the USP is gone and all we will see is league fixtures displaced over the world.

Great if you live in Miami or Perth. Not so good if you live in Manchester or Plymouth.

Ten Takeaways

A look at the main stories from last weekend’s Premier League action. Get yourself some Tuesday night takeaway.

Bournemouth vs Fulham

Bournemouth’s unbeaten run of six league games is the current longest in the Premier League and after a 3-1 win over Fulham, the question regarding European rewards next season are beginning to be asked once again. Are the Cherries now everyone’s second favourite club?

Fulham looked comfortable before the Antoine Semenyo show on Friday night but look slightly uncomfortable as they go into the international break sitting 14th. Not quite reflective of their overall performance, but as we know the Premier League takes no prisoners.

Leeds vs Tottenham

Fulham in 14th, Leeds one position further back after their defeat at home to Tottenham on Saturday. A solid performance from Daniel Farke’s men but lacking the attacking nous to really make Spurs sweat in the final few minutes would prove to be their undoing at Elland Road.

As for Spurs, their unbeaten run in all competitions is not to be ignored as Thomas Frank’s Tottenham train begins to generate further momentum. Do they need another forward in January to make any potential title rivals truly sweat. Is the answer a certain Ivan Toney?

Manchester United vs Sunderland

One step forward for Manchester United but not anything to get too excited about just yet. Especially with Liverpool serving as their first opponents after the international break. Still, wins have been hard to come by for Ruben Amorim’s men and victory over Sunderland should not be diminished.

Sunderland’s early start has been slightly derailed after that defeat but they are still far ahead of the curve when considering their promotion last summer. The key may be getting as many points as possible before a large bulk of their squad departs for AFCON in January.

Arsenal vs West Ham

Could this be a seismic day in terms of the Premier League title race? If so, Saturday was the day when Arsenal moved to the summit and although we have read this story in seasons gone by, could Mikel Arteta finally pen a new chapter at the Emirates next May.

A relatively comfortable win over West Ham took them top, defeat elsewhere secured it and although this defeat for Nuno Espirito Santo is far from season defining, imagine the feeling of going into the break having picked up a win against title hopefuls. Back to the training ground for the former Forest boss.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

After successive Premier League defeats, this one was perhaps not in the script for Chelsea and especially as they had four maybe even five of their centre backs unavailable. Add Cole Palmer’s absent and the smart money would have been on a Liverpool win.

Then again, we know that football has a habit of making us all look rather stupid and in a three-game spell where the Reds have now lost three matches in all competitions, manager Arne Slot is not looking too clever. Is this the first real blip he has had since in charge?

Everton vs Crystal Palace

I mentioned in the previous issue as to whether Jack Grealish would ever play for England. If he keeps being such a key component of Everton’s progress, then it may be incredibly hard to overlook his talents. The winning goal on Sunday, his first in his temporary lodgings.

A goal that only gave the Toffees all three points but also ended Crystal Palace’s monster unbeaten run across all competitions. The slightest bit of Europa Conference League showing after victory over Dynamo Kyiv. Truth be told, they had the chances to put this one out of sight.

Aston Villa vs Burnley

The outlook at Aston Villa is looking brighter by the day and this is due to a second successive league win being recorded. A slow start for Unai Emery’s men but after getting the better of Burnley and also winning in Europe, it seams as if this side is waking from its slumber.

While Burnley have seemingly slumbered into the bottom three. After getting the better of Sunderland at Turf Moor in the second week of the season, the Clarets have failed to win any of their last five. Just one point from 15, the hard work for Scott Parker starts now.

Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest

Newcastle found their first league win in three attempts on Sunday and after a rather dull first half at St James’, the encounter with Nottingham Forest finally sprung into life after the interval. Nick Woltemade showing everyone how a penalty should be taken from now on.

While Ange Postecoglou is showing everyone just how things can turn sour rather quickly when in charge of a football club. It is now no win in his first seven games in all competitions. He is set to have a chat with Evangelos Maranakis during the break - rather him than me.

Wolves vs Brighton

Wolves’ failure to see out a second successive league game has meant four points dropped in the space of the week. The Molineux men go into the international break lying bottom of the table, better game management would have seen outside the bottom three.

An unnecessary corner to give away late on against Brighton, leading to the Seagulls’ equaliser. Impressive against Chelsea the weekend before, not hitting the same heights last Sunday. It is this inconsistency that will stop them earning a return to Europe next season.

Brentford vs Manchester City

Brentford failed to complete a quickfire Manchester double after defeat on Sunday. United made look to rather simple, City having enough to see out the job. Keith Andrews’ men will be frustrated not to get anything from the game but frustration does not pay out points.

What does pay out points is goals and with Erling Haaland’s winner being a display of raw power, that display is rather asthetically pleasing in my eyes. Strikers being strong and bullying defenders, more of that please. More Rodri injury news though, not good for City.

The Martin Experiment

Remember the thing in the movie ‘Men In Black’ that makes you forget what happened?

I think the Glasgow Rangers board and any supporters will need that after Russell Martin’s terrible tenure at the club has finally come to an end. Gone by October after being appointed in July, surely the worst manager that has ever worked at Ibrox.

Admittedly Rangers’ league results have been borderline brutal for a club of such Scottish stature and although there have been plenty of draws rather than defeats - the margins are too fine in the Premiership.

Especially as Hearts have upset the early apple cart and made the picture even gloomier for the now former Rangers boss. If they have any chance of salvaging their season, they had no choice but hit the emergency button.

One of Martin’s biggest mistakes was trying to turn this job into a ‘project’ - there simply is not the luxury to do so at Rangers. You have to win and you have to keep winning, there is no margin for contiunal error.

Which is why whoever comes in has to hit the ground running. No time for experiement, the time to get back in the winning groove and logically, the only person who could do that right now is Steven Gerrard.

The Mailbox

Where’s the filter five Dan?

Just trying something a little different today as we are in the international break and its the launch of ‘The Mailbox’ it might bomb, it might not.

Bascially, this where the newsletter becomes a two-way street. Get in touch with your questions and thoughts and I will do my best to answer them or open them up further.

We get underway with long time fan of the newsletter Luis Florez who replied in reference as to why Jordan Henderson is in the England squad.

I think the statement that Henderson has been alright for Brentford is fair but when you have got Adam Wharton not getting called up, it is a bit of a headscratcher. Does this mean Henderson is on the plane to American in the summer? Let me know what you think on this and anything else at [email protected]

Other Reading

Also a big shout out to James Summut and his Back to Carrington Newsletter

Really interesting concept where he tries to map out just how much crisis Manchester United are really in. Using data and not just league results, it paints a more contextual picture at the Theatre of Dreams.

Also hello to any recent subscribers who have joined via James’ newsletter.

Take a look at all the data via the link above.

Admin

Right, that’s the end of issue 37 as word continues to spread around the football world.

If you liked issue 37, tell a friend and forward it on. If you didn’t like issue 37 please tell me why.

We have surged past 60 subscribers, so the next step is to get 70. A big thanks to all those that have joined the squad in the past few days, there is room for plenty more.

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 Friday October 10th

Thanks for reading

Dan