With the top-flight back in action this weekend, we take a look at the top seven’s strengths, weaknesses, squad depth and key players before asking whether they have got what it takes to win the leagueThe Premier League is back after the international break and, following a breathless start to the season, we assess the top seven sides in the league in search for clues as to which side will lift the trophy come May. Manchester City are the early pacesetters but their defeat at Tottenham Hotspur have given the rest of the clubs hope. It is also worth remembering that seven games into last season, Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United were top, West Ham United third and eventual winners...
Cesc Fàbregas may get his chance for Chelsea, Everton’s attackers can trouble Manchester City and Monday night’s big match at Anfield is too close to callEverything about Arsenal’s performance at Burnley screamed late Wenger era. Manchester City’s defeat at Tottenham gave them the opportunity to make a statement and as such the pressure was on; the game was tricky but hardly impossible. They delivered a performance devoid of intensity, purpose and conviction. Only Alexis Sánchez appeared not to deem the indignity of effort beneath him. Then, in the final seconds, everything changed, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Laurent Koscielny contriving the most glorious finish imaginable. Continue reading...
How long will Gordon Strachan remain in charge of the Tartan Army after dire performances against Slovakia and Lithuania? Plus, new manager, same old problems for England; and previews of all the weekend’s games in the Premier League, including Liverpool v Manchester United Subscribe and review: iTunes, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, AcastOn today’s Football Weekly Extraaaaa, AC Jimbo is joined by James Horncastle, Gregg Bakowski and Michael Cox to wave goodbye to the international break, but not before riffing on the dross put on by England in Slovenia and – even worse – Scotland in Slovakia. Ewan Murray tells us why Gordon Strachan has to go, dagnammit. Continue reading...
Swansea appoint former Team USA boss Bob Bradley. Plus: problems on and off the field for Coventry, and World Cup 2018 qualifying previewsSubscribe and review: iTunes, Soundcloud, Audioboom, Mixcloud, AcastOn this special international edition of Football Weekly Extra, AC Jimbo is joined by Barry Glendenning, James Horncastle and Paolo Bandini to fashion a pod out of … well, the following: Continue reading...
Swansea’s new manager is the first American to coach in England’s top league, and stopoffs in Egypt, Norway and France reveal a man unafraid of a challengeRyan Giggs, perhaps, would have been the easy appointment for Swansea City. Bob Bradley, however, was the interesting appointment. He’s always the interesting appointment. Related: Swansea City hire Bob Bradley after sacking manager Francesco Guidolin Related: Bob Bradley at Le Havre: 'I felt like coming to a big football country' Continue reading...