Morning all.
It’s solely Tuesday, however waiting for subsequent weekend we now have two groups to consider: Brighton, who we play, and Everton, who tackle Man Metropolis. The 2 of them met yesterday on the Amex, and given latest kind you’d have put your cash on the house aspect.
As an alternative, Everton ended up successful 5-1. Brighton had 23 photographs and 78% possession, whereas Everton made 53 clearances and had Jordan Pickford and the woodwork to thank a number of occasions. Which simply tells you that soccer is totally psychological typically. I’ve seen folks say it will have been good for each of them to save lots of these performances for the weekend, however I disagree. Outcomes, positive – performances not a lot.
I believe if Everton permit Man Metropolis 23 photographs, they received’t be successful 5-1, and we’ve clearly acquired to be very cautious of a Brighton response. Their supervisor, Roberto de Zerbi, mentioned afterwards:
I believe on Sunday we are going to present our high quality, we are going to get again to our type and you will notice the true Brighton.
Cheers pal. Simply what we’d like. That is a kind of the place you may worry a Brighton aspect decided to place proper what was an embarrassing end result, however hope that such a defeat has shaken their confidence somewhat bit. They’ve had a improbable season, and their push for Europe continues, however perhaps they’re feeling the strain of that on prime of the variety of video games they’re having to play as a result of they’ve fixtures in hand.
It was a considerably extraordinary day within the Premier League, not least as a result of there have been three Monday matches due to the financial institution vacation. Fulham beat Leicester 5-3, a scoreline which actually flattered the Foxes, and one which makes you marvel what was the purpose of them sacking Brendan Rodgers as a result of that’s the sort of factor his Leicester aspect did on a regular basis.
In the event you usher in someone new that can assist you struggle in opposition to relegation, absolutely you’d be on the lookout for elevated defensive stability, however they have been rubbish in that regard. I suppose if you’ve acquired a David Luiz knock-off on the centre of your defence it’s not straightforward, however nonetheless. Their subsequent two fixtures are Liverpool at residence, after which Newcastle away. Barring some sort of miracle, I reckon they’re toast.
It appears to be like bleak for Southampton who misplaced 4-3 to Nottingham Forest in an entertaining sport final night time. Forest are nonetheless within the relegation combine, however perhaps simply have that little bit extra high quality than others down there – Morgan Gibbs-White appears to be like a really promising participant, and one I believe will transfer on sooner reasonably than later. It wasn’t a great night time for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who conceded a penalty at hand Forest a two aim lead, however we all know already his future lies elsewhere. Maybe in serving to Southampton again up. It’s Fulham, Brighton then Liverpool for the Saints, and it appears to be like like they’re marching in the direction of the Championship. With a younger aspect they might be nicely geared up to return straight again up, nevertheless it relies upon who they’ll grasp on to. I reckon there’ll be loads of groups Romeo Lavia this summer time, for instance, whether or not we’re considered one of them stays to be seen.
Talking of central midfield, Sky Sports activities report that West Ham will let Declan Rice depart for £120m this summer time, or £100m plus a participant. Arsenal’s curiosity is well-known, and for me the one problem with getting this deal completed is the worth/construction, greater than having to persuade him to return to North London. I believe the participant would fortunately signal for us, however with West Ham’s possession more likely to be a difficulty over the approaching months, and a price of that measurement, there’s the potential for issues to get a bit sophisticated.
Which participant may West Ham need from Arsenal in a swap deal? For me, given what else I would love us to do that summer time, I ponder if Eddie Nketiah could be an possibility. It feels to me like the following step we have to make in our improvement is to have a special sort of possibility up entrance, somebody with a bit extra bodily presence, and in addition to Eddie has completed, he’s undoubtedly not that man. Let’s additionally not overlook a few of our returning mortgage gamers like Nuno Tavares, Nicolas Pepe, and Albert Sambi Lokonga for whom West Ham appears an affordable match. Take your choose, lads. I assume it can rely who’s cost there subsequent season, as a result of it appears an affordable assumption to make that it received’t be David Moyes.
Anyway, for extra on the Premier League, be a part of us over on Patreon a bit later this morning after we’ll have an episode of The 30, the world’s most inaccurately named podcast during which we have a look again in any respect the motion in half-hour, roughly (at all times extra. Considerably extra).
For some additional studying this morning, Lewis has a brand new ways column – with some ideas on Newcastle, Mikel Arteta, and extra.
Let’s depart it there now, have a great one people.
