Issue 52 - Some Difficult Conversations

It feels like one of those weeks where nothing BIG has happened but plenty of stories have been substantial enough to keep the wheels spinning. Just what we need when crafting an independent newsletter for FREE. Another weekend awaits. Issue 52. Go.

Adding Further Analysis

If you read Issue 51 of the Real Football Filter you will know that I started with an opinion piece on all things Slot at Liverpool and just how much time he has left at Anfield - an opinion that was so Merseyside that a Manchester United fan unsubscribed!

But anyway that was before Liverpool’s defeat to PSV at Anfield. A game that was meant to be the revenge for ruining their perfect league phase last season. A game that was meant to settle that score.

However, we all know that the score was 4-1 to PSV and no sooner had the final whistle blown then the questions started to surface.

“Would he be sacked before the weekend?”

“Is the West Ham game the genuine last roll of the dice?”

“Just what has happened at Anfield?”

The answer to Q1 is no
The answer to Q2 is wait and see
The answer to Q3 is one of many things.

Aspects that were touched on in the previous issue, aspects that could also be a missing Mo Salah these past couple of months and also a Virgil van Dijk that looks like a replica of his former self.

Both those players signed new contracts in the summer, Liverpool arguably sensing some buyer’s remorse when it comes to inking these new deals.

That is not to say that both Salah and van Dijk have downed tools after a new deal is signed but there is that eerie feeling of now that they got their reward, there is not a great deal to keep them motivated.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, more so in football. Nobody would have envisaged Liverpool’s rapid slump down the table. Nobody would have expected two key components of their squad to be so off the boil.

Which makes you think whether the Liverpool board will look to salvage their season and change course.

There is still enough of the campaign to turn things around if a top-five finish is the new target. Defeat at West Ham on Sunday and those who make the decisions may not have a choice.

Licence Fee Payer

Although it is rather fashionable to give the BBC a good kicking, they do deserve credit from time to time - especially when it comes to the Sports department.

They may not have the funds to snare the majority of live rights (World Cup and European Championship not included) but they are at least making the iplayer and their website a go-to destination for football fans in the UK.

With Match of the Day an ongoing mainstay across the BBC’s digital platforms, the capture of Champions League highlights was deemed a considerable coup - especially for a broadcaster that is anti-adverts, something that halted bids in years gone by.

The cream of English football and the cream of European football yours to digest in highlight form. A duo that earlier in the season was supplemented by Friday night Bundesliga games on the iplayer and goal clips on social media/website.

While a similar arrangement has now been signed to bring the best of La Liga to the BBC. Admittedly this will only be goal clips rather than long-form highlights but it still adds to the Beeb’s growing digital ecosystem.

Why It Matters?

The reason it matters because football as a viewing pursuit gets more and more expensive and also further fragmented - I hope you have your Paramount subscriptions ready for the 2027/28 Champions League.

Which means the halcyon days of seeing a wide range of goals across one or maybe two broadcasters are pie in the sky. Those of a certain age will remember the Eurosport offering called ‘Eurogoals’

It honestly felt like it was made with a budget of £5 from a Paris-based office but in that hour you could see the pick of the goals from Spain, France and the Netherlands (back in the Ajax 95 era when the Eredivisie was pretty decent).

Appointment viewing on a Monday night in a pre-internet era. Something that will never see the likes of again.

Thankfully we don’t need a one-hour show because the goal clips on the BBC Sport website does the same job (bar the French and Italian goals, but nothing is perfect in this day and age)

It may not be perfect but its enough to keep you abreast of the main narratives and that will do for me and I expect many others.

Ten Quick Tackles

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

Brentford vs Burnley

Brentford start this upcoming Premier League weekend lying 13th in the table, arguably the biggest victims of the wild volatility that we are witnessing anywhere between second and where the Bees sit before the visit of Burnley tomorrow. Keith Andrews’ men in the European places for about 45 minutes last weekend, their current position not reflective of their performance at present.

Which the same cannot be said about Burnley, the say the table does not lie and that is certainly the case as far as the Clarets are concerned. Three successive defeats is a rut that Scott Parker needs to get out off. Should he manage to do, the Turf Moor outfit may move out of the bottom three.

Manchester City vs Leeds

Manchester City followed up last weekend’s defeat to Newcastle with a Champions League loss at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen. Admittedly manager Pep Guardiola rested key names for their midweek reverse, which means the panic levels should not be as high as some have stated before they welcome Leeds.

With that being said, there is probably an element of panic as far as Leeds manager Daniel Farke is concerned. Not only has he got to worry about going to the Etihad when City are a wounded beast but he also has to worry about his own job security. Could be another managerial casualty this weekend?

Sunderland vs Bournemouth

Sunderland will look to bounce back after their loss to Fulham last weekend, a lacklustre performance at Craven Cottage but perhaps a measure of their new status that a defeat to the Cottagers can be labelled as disappointing. Still yet to lose at the Stadium of Light this season, they wil look to extend that run when hosting Bournemouth.

Like Brentford, Bournemouth are another side whose performances do not equate to their league position. Perhaps from the other perspective, yes they may start the weekend in eighth but they seem to have stuttered for quite a while now. With that said, they are still one of the more exciting teams to watch right now (Will Andoni Iraola be managing elsewhere next season?)

Everton vs Newcastle

After the bareknuckle boxing that took place on Monday, Everton will aim for all 11 players to still be on the pitch at full time. They may have won with a man short at the start of the week but that perhaps says more about Manchester United’s deficiencies than it does the Toffees’ qualities.

Qualities that were lacking for Newcastle in midweek and although the Harvey Barnes for Scotland train showed no signs of slowing down in Marseille, Nick Pope showed signs of going missing when it mattered most. Could this be the instance when Aaron Ramsdale gets given a league bow? I think it might.

Tottenham vs Fulham

A torrid Sunday for Tottenham, a slightly better showing in Paris on Wednesday. Thomas Frank’s men going toe to toe with the holders of the Champions League, unfortunately they were still dealt a knockout blow. Two away games where Spurs have been second best, now they need to be the best in front of their own support.

As for Fulham, they make the trip from West to North London buoyed by their win over Sunderland last Saturday. There is still a overriding feeling of uncertainity regarding Marco Silva but one thing you can be certain of is their need for a consistent goalscorer. An average of 1.08 goals per game spelling out what the Cottagers need to address.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United

Conference League woes on Thursday night, Crystal Palace will look to put it behind themselves when they entertain Manchester United on Sunday. The Eagles supporters were fighting each other before their meeting with Strasbourg, now they need to be singing from the same hymn sheet.

Especially as they start the weekend sitting fifth in the table, five places ahead of their visitors. United currently the benchmark of average in Premier League terms. They sit in the mid-point of the table having both scored and conceded 19 goals. At least their inconsistency is consistent.

Aston Villa vs Wolves

Aston Villa postitive run of results extended on Thursday as they beat Young Boys in the Europa League. Their European exploits going to plan, now they plan to generate extra daylight between themselves and a huge cluster of fellow Champions League hunting teams.

They do so as they prepare to welcome Wolves to Villa Park. New manager Rob Edwards played for both clubs in his previous playing career. There will be no light applause or sentiment coming his way from the home support. If he fails to earn at least a point in this West Midlands derby, there may also be boos from the away following.

West Ham vs Liverpool

If I was betting man, I would be putting my money on West Ham this weekend. That is not to say they are a cast iron guarantee to get the better of Liverpool, but there is absolutely no reason to back the defending champions before their trip to the London Stadium - especially as the Hammers have picked up seven points from the last nine on offer.

It is a must win clash for Liverpool as simple as that. Regardless of whether they stick or twist from a managerial perspective, they just need to find three points in the Premier League. The fact that they start the weekend lying in the bottom half of the table speaks volumes, the fact they could be 14th by Sunday leaves me and other speechless.

Nottingham Forest vs Brighton

Nottingham Forest and Malmo met in a repeat of the 1979 European Cup final (that’s the Champions League final in old money) on Thursday, the outcome the same as Sean Dyche’s men came out on top. Momentum being generated on both home and continential fronts, finally after three months of the season have passed do Forest look settled.

They welcome a Brighton side who are a tough nut to crack at home but easier to slice apart when on the road. Fabian Hurzeler’s men have won one of their six Premier League away days this season, thankfully their form at The Amex is absorbing some indifferent performances elsewhere.

Chelsea vs Arsenal

A top of the table clash before the weekend’s action gets underway, it may not strictly be the case before kickoff at Stamford Bridge. Regardless of Chelsea’s placing, they will be keen to throw a spanner in Arsenal’s works and announce themselves as a genuine part of this season’s title race.

Visitors Arsenal have had a monster week by their own standards. The trouncing of Tottenham before the battering of Bayern. These Gunners are firing on all cylinders right now. They have not lost in any of their last seven league outings with the Blues, I would be very surprised if that run is not extended to eight and I do not envisage a draw on Sunday.

Predictive Power

They are the main takeaways but what are the main outputs from my AI predictive model?

Five results right last time out. My AI assistant not making the top teams sweat.

What do you think the scores will be this weekend. Can you beat AI? Let me know in the comments below.

The Filter Five

Five sprints up the touchline to keep you warm

One Club City

There are one club cities within English football. Newcastle, Leeds, Brighton spring to mind. Sheffield is not one of those.

However, Sheffield could have potentially been one of those. Much has been made of Wednesday’s plight and their current administration which is hoping to lead to new ownership.

Ownership that reportedly saw interest from local rivals United. A club merger was dreamnt of as quickly as it was shot down by the EFL and the Independent Football Regulator.

Quite the topic in the Steel City, the United owners may have some explaining to do.

Sent To Coventry

Precisely what could be happening to Premier League teams next season if the Championship table stays as is. Frank Lampard’s men have a 10-point gap at the top of the second tier, it would take a monumental botch even at this stage to not secure promotion.

Large Amount Of Pafos

Who are this club? They seem to have sprouted from nowhere and have an evergreen David Luiz scoring goals in the Champions League. Not only that, but Cypriot football seems to be going through a huge rise at present.

In the rankings that hand out the additional Champions League places, English clubs have generated top spot, the Bundesliga second. Cypriot clubs are currently joint-Sixth with Spain.

Coming Home Again

With international tournaments being ludicrously large in size these days, hosting needs as joint effort. Which is exactly the plan of the home nations for the staging of the 2035 Women’s World Cup. Hopefully Mary Earps would have stopped moaning by then.

Fantasy Stuff

FPL deadline is 13:30 Saturday afternoon (UK time). No excuse for not doing your team this week.

Admin

Right, that’s the end of issue 52 as word continues to spread around the football world.

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