Issue 43 - Hearts Still Beating

We start by going north of the border and the fallout from Sunday’s clash at Tynecastle. Old faces, new faces. Premier League title challengers finding themselves off their pacers. A huge shout to the 15 new subs that have signed up since the previous issue went out. Time to look back and forward over the next seven days. Issue 43. Go.

Rodgers Bodge Job

A lot can happen in football within the space of 24 hours, even more in 36 and that length of time was all that was needed for Celtic to not only hand Hearts an eight-point gap at the top of the Scottish Premiership but also hand the Celtic Park keys to Martin O’Neill on an interim basis.

In all the madness of a rather poor showing from the Hoops at Tynecastle, one wondered if the level of performance was the ultimate 4D Chess ploy from the now former boss Brendan Rodgers.

Not to say that he and his players chucked the game on Sunday lunchtime but in defeat, he may have felt that an eight point deficit to the league leaders would generate one of two things:

A) It would force the Celtic board to make new signings in January

B) Celtic would then be able to hunt Hearts down once the new calvary arrives

Then again, even that would be have to be a bold move from Brendan Rodgers. So bold, that he could never pull it off.

Fast forward 30 hours or so and the above is nothing more than moot.

Rodgers resigns, major shareholder Dermot Desmond wastes absolutely no time in throwing his former employee under the bus.

A statement so eviscerating, so jawdropping in tone, that it made a mockery of everything that Brendan Rodgers had said in regard to Celtic’s recruitment, a potential new contract and the perceived ambition of the club,

Basically, a statement that said thanks Mr Rodgers but here is the truth and the truth is far from what the Northern Irish coach has been saying these past few months.

Safe Hands Again

Which leads us to where Celtic turn next and as before, they have opted for another former boss to come in and take the reins in the interim. Neil Lennon not available due to his commitments at Dunfermline, next in line is Martin O’Neill.

A man who took Celtic to the Uefa Cup final in 2003, a man who has not managed the club in 20 years. A man who has not managed anyone since his forgettable stint at Nottingham Forest in 2019.

A morale booster, maybe but certainly not the long term and if you are someone who takes next manager odds as gospel, the Celtic Park outfit may also be looking at another former Nottingham Forest manager.

Someone who is coincidentally another former Celtic manager.

Without spelling it out further, the man in question is Ange Postecoglou. Never have the stars alligned so quickly and out of nowhere for a manager who was down on his luck and tanking his stock just a week ago.

They say never go back but Celtic seem to welcome back their flock with open arms, Postecoglou will never get a better opportunity for an unlikely return.

Stranger things have happened, an even stranger thing would be Big Ange lifting a Scottish Premiership title in just over six months time.

Fifteen Minute Segments

If you have been keeping a close eye on the Premier League over the past couple of weeks - something that I am sure you have, you may have picked up on an interesting start.

Of the 20 games that have been contested over the past two gameweeks, there has only been one draw (Crystal Palace 3-3 Bournemouth). A single stalemate in isolation, teams prepared to go for the jugular.

Something that may prove costly if you are on the losing side of late drama but in a competition that is nothing short of high risk and high reward, the benefits are there for all to see.

Which led me on to another angle for consideration - just when are the Premier League goals being scored?

The easiest way to break this down is in 15 minute segments and the data is as follows:

Of the 241 goals that have been scored at an average of 2.67 per game, 29% of those have come in the last 15 minutes of the game. However, that 15 minutes also includes any added time that is added on.

Not the biggest surprise when you consider all those additional minutes and tiring legs across the pitch but what is a surprise is that this 15-minute band has generated 17% more goals than the quarter hour before it.

What does this suggest, it suggests that the game state at that time, lends itself to simply staying in the game. Nothing silly between minutes 61 and 75, set yourseld nicely for a grandstand finish.

At the same time, there is also a sense of teams wanting to move quickly out of the blocks once they have had their half-time instructions bellowed to them. Nothing better than getting back in the game or pulling clear after 15 minutes rest.

Ultimately, it is how you finish a game that is the most important and everything from minute 76 onwards suggests a real sense of urgency. Best league in the world?
Best league for late goals as well it seems.

Ten Takeaways

A look at the main stories from last weekend’s Premier League action. Get yourself some Tuesday night takeaway (Or Wednesday morning breakfast depending on when you read this)

Leeds vs West Ham

Leeds got the Premier League weekend underway with dare I say a rather easy win at home to West Ham. The perfect Friday night for Daniel Farke and his players as they continue their solid run of results at home - results that go a good way to keeping up afloat of the relegation zone.

The kind of results that West Ham cannot find either home or away. Nuno Espirito Santo in charge and they need some saintly intervention if they are to solve their crisis from defensive set pieces. More gifts on offer at the weekend, how soon will Jarrod Bowen be offer if the Hammers’ woeful form continues?

Newcastle vs Fulham

Newcastle left it late for their own dose of home comforts and although it was not the prettiest of wins, their success over Fulham comes just days after a Champions League win over Benfica. Of the six English teams that played in the competition in midweek, it was only the Magpies and Arsenal that won on both fronts. Not an easy feat it must be said.

While Fulham’s woes continue and although it looked like they were going to return to the capital with a point for their efforts, Bruno Guimaraes’ injury time winner means it is now four successive defeats for Marco Silva’s men. Did they underestimate the power of promoted teams this season and underspend, they may need to overspend in January,

Chelsea vs Sunderland

The thing with this Chelsea side is that just when they promise to do something tangible, do they then fluff their lines. Saturday being the perfect example as they lost at home to Sunderland. Just a few weeks ago they were celebrating an impressive win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, now just two wins from their last six sees them sit ninth in the table.

If you were to say that Sunderland were the highest ranked team from the North East at the end of October, that statement may have been ill-advised at the start of the summer. If you were to say that the Black Cats would be in the top four at the same point of the season, you would deemed crazy. Nothing crazy with how Regis Le Bris’ side are playing right now. Halfway to safety already, I think they will be part of the class of 2026/27.

Manchester United vs Brighton

In what world are Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League? Are we in some sort of simulation as the Red Devils make it three wins in a row. Yes, that bloke is now two wins away from getting a famous haircut but on a more serious note, it does once again highlight that you only need an element of consistency to move up the table. Three, let alone five wins in a row in this league is far from a given. Next stop, Forest on Saturday.

As for Brighton, a case of too little, too late after giving United a 3-0 head start. Danny Welbeck continues to not only get joy from another return to Old Trafford but makes a mockery of father time. Hear me out. Welbeck on the plane to North America this summer? Mr Tuchel if you are reading.

Brentford vs Liverpool

Brentford’s long throws have been a major talking point of late and do you know why? Because they are working. If they were not such a component of the Bees’ relative success, there would be so few column inches. Not pretty and something of a bygone era but if this is Brentford’s edge under Keith Andrews and it keeps them clear of the bottom three, then all power to them.

As for Liverpool, what was the one thing they did not want to be by the end of Saturday night. The major talking point. What was the one thing they were by the end of Saturday night. Well, you get the idea. A fourth successive league defeat for the Reds under Arne Slot, undoubtedly the manager under the most pressure right now, the last thing they need is another meeting with Crystal Palace in midweek.

Wolves vs Burnley

I said that Wolves vs Burnley was going to be on last on Sunday’s Match of the Day (wrong) but I did also say, it would be worth staying up for regardless (right). Then again, if you follow the Molineux outfit, you would have undoubtedly wanted an early night after their 3-2 loss to the Clarets.

Once again, poor game management has undone Vitor Pereira and his players, to the point where they are now eight points from safety. Add the optic of players having to placate fans at the end of the game and you would much rather be in the Burnley camp right now.

Bournemouth vs Nottingham Forest

If the usual heavyweights are not going to muster up a title fight this season, the Bournemouth will have to head up the Rebel Alliance themselves. The Cherries find themselves second in the table after their 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Much has been made of the re-generated defence at the Vitality, more needs to be made of the 16 goals that have been scored in just nine outings. (joint-second highest in the league).

As for Nottingham Forest, maybe a slight sense of hangover after Sean Dyche’s men won in the Europa League in midweek. No goals on the South Coast, they have only scored five all season. If they are to get any movement away from the bottom three, their new manager may have to remove his usual shackles at the back.

Arsenal vs Crystal Palace

How does that chant go? “1-0 to the Arsenal” - it used to ring around Highbury more than a generation ago when the Gunners were winning league titles under George Graham and Arsene Wenger, it was once again the perfect blueprint on Sunday. Who else but Eberechi Eze scoring the winner against his former club, the muted celebration comes as no surprise.

As for Crystal Palace, you wonder if 10th is a true reflection of how they have performed in the Premier League with a quarter of the campaign ticked off. Now they have a taste for all things trophies and Europe, are they matching expectations or should they be better off? No sense of panic at the same time, it seems everyone is still enjoying the ride at Selhurst Park.

Aston Villa vs Manchester City

Only three clubs currently have a six or more game unbeaten streak in the Premier League. Arsenal, Bournemouth and now Aston Villa. The latter of the trio once again getting the better of Manchester City at Villa Park. Matty Cash once again a thorn in the side of his opponents. They go to Liverpool on Saturday and in current form will no doubt be smelling blood.

As for Manchester City, results such as this make you think that they are human after all. Erling Haaland kept quiet, even if he did have the ball in the net and his own balls wrapped round the goalframe late on. A mortal performance from Pep’s cast of immortals, they have reeled six points before. I just do not think they can do it again.

Everton vs Tottenham

Everton’s unbeaten run in their new surroundings finally comes to an end after their 3-0 reverse at the hands of Tottenham. Once again, there was not a lot for David Moyes to complain about after the loss but you cannot simply keep holding your hands up and say the opponents were the better team. At some stage, you need to be that better team.

A role that went to Thomas Frank’s men on Merseyside. After defeat at home to Aston Villa and a bore draw with Monaco, you had a feeling they needed to offer a statement performance. A statement that comes with them now sitting ahead of Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea. Tell you what, the upcoming North London derby is shaping up nicely.

The Filter Five

Five shorter football snippets to fill your midweek

Clock Is Ticking

In reference to the point regarding long throw ins and Brentford’s edge, it could be over as soon as its begun if IFAB (Football’s lawmakers get their way). They are discussing bringing in a throw-in clock to speed up the ball being out of play.

I get where they are coming from, but surely this is self-policing and does not need an official clock. Therefore. we will probably have said official clock for the start of next season.

Slipped My Mind

In all the managerial madness that has unfolded in the past week or so, I completely forgot to reference the scrapping of Barcelona’s clash with Villarreal in Miami. I will sum the decision up as so: Good.

The Birthday Draw

Shameless plug as its my birthday on Wednesday.

I am Tottenham fan and live just outside of Newcastle.

Newcastle play host to Tottenhm in the Carabao Cup

Birthday could be ruined at 10pm

Reading Between The Lines

Leam Richardson is the new Reading manager as he replaces Noel Hunt. The Berkshire outfit are 19th in League One and after having their own financial woes through dodgy ownership, their new boss certainly has a difficult task on his hands.

Will Still Still

Then again, it is fair to say Southampton boss Will Still is finding life hard in the Championship. The Saints have won just one of their last six league outings and sit 20th in the second tier. This time last season, they were 20th in the Premier League.

Admin

Right, that’s the end of issue 43 as word continues to spread around the football world.

If you liked issue 43, tell a friend and forward it on. If you didn’t like issue 43 please tell me why.

We are now edging towards 100 subs as the momentum continues. New squad members are always welcome on board.

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