The Mailbox says bringing Frank Lampard back to Chelsea is like re-electing Boris Johnson, while David Moyes deserves nothing but relegation at West Ham. Plus, Erling Haaland, Man Utd, Man City tickets and more…
That’s a good win for Man Utd…
The first half was very fun to watch. Both United and Everton showed up and created a good flow to the game. United was creating a ton of space behind the Everton defenders. Definitely should be up 3 or 4 nil at halftime. Bruno looks like a whole new player playing a bit deeper with the balls he is playing and his defensive work rate. Sancho and Antony have looked lively with the ball. Antony should have scored a few chances but to be fair Pickford has looked really good and is unlucky to be playing for Everton. McTominay finally showing his Scotland goal-scoring form for United. Still think he’s not very good in midfield but if he was just an out-and-out striker maybe there’s a player there. It was a great finish so that’s good to see as well as a Sancho assist.
The second half was a much slower game than the first. Everton got into the game more but really did not threaten United. United put the game to bed when Martial came on and scored which is great to see. It was also fantastic to see Eriksen come on as we have missed him. It was a shame to see Rashford come off as he’s a big part of the team and we lack goals without him. Hopefully, it is nothing too serious and just him being safe by asking to come off when he felt something was off.
Overall, This was a good result for United, especially with a rotated team. Everton never looked dangerous but definitely gave it a go so United could not rest. Everyone did their job for the most part except for Maguire in the first half when Simms was left wide open but luckily he missed. Now we have Casemiro and Eriksen back which should change the game for United and Sabitzer also looks good just in case we need cover or Eriksen. Bruno looked world-class today playing deeper today. I could see Bruno playing as an 8 next to Casemiro with Eriksen playing as the 10 in the future as Bruno looks better a bit further back and it gives Eriksen more space to be creative. Hopefully, Rashford is not too badly injured as we really lack goals without him but other than that that was a good result with a rotated team at home for United.
Max Of Whitegate
Peter Graham and NUFC
The NBC coverage of SOU-MC offered in the US (on the NBC-owned USA Network, as it happens) featured Lee Dixon and Peter Drury. I may be wrong, but I believe that they were there as NBC employees, not as part of a rebroadcast from whichever network has the rights in England, Australia, or wherever; I’m totally open to correction on this point. Anyhow, in the closing minutes of the match, Drury noted the exodus of home supporters and noted, “these traveling supporters must be used to empty grounds. Because this is what [City] do: they march onto other peoples’ territory and offer the locals a thoroughly miserable afternoon.” That’s just excellent work, if you ask me. Viciously accurate. And I can hardly wait for MC-ARS.
I’m also really happy about Newcastle United’s recent results. We had three consecutive 2-0 losses at the hands of Liverpool, Manchester United in a heartbreaking cup final, And Man City; to reel off five wins – some of them impressive – in a row is a heck of a response. From the post-match victory photos, it’s clear that wor leading scorer Miggy didn’t even travel with the team to London for WHU and Brentford, although he was reported to be in surprise contention for the former. We’ve won those matches, and Miggy got a nice rest and some extra family time. Howe continues to manage this squad so very effectively; suddenly, our squad is looking almost deep. The way Wilson, Murphy, Isak, Joelinton – who looks far too clumsy on the ball to ever skin a defender in the box the way he did Ben Mee today — and even Willock, who hasn’t even rediscovered his shooting boots yet, have stepped up is phenomenal. I suspect that one hidden consequence of Eddie Howe’s hiring could be enhanced transfer values for the players we aren’t looking to transfer quickly. That will help both squad stability and the FFP balance if clubs do come calling. Hand off Bruno though. He’s a Geordie now.
Chris C, Toon Army DC (If you hate NUFC’s team victory photos, you’re mean and jealous of this squad’s unity)
Wait until you see Erling Haaland next season…
There are people who haven’t yet come to terms with the fact that attacking players habitually improve dramatically in their second season of being coached by Pep Guardiola. Sterling. Sane. De Bruyne. Mahrez. Grealish.
Next season is Erling Haaland’s second with Guardiola. This is the season that it’s meant not to be working out, he’s a waste of the unlimited dirty oil money and he either needs to be sold to Aston Villa or loaned to Everton.
This also applies to Julian Alvarez.
Mark Meadowcroft
David Moyes
Dear Sirs – I have not written in for a while about the state of my team. At the end of last season I wrote in to say that we were prime relegation candidates, and was told by this site in editorials that I was crazy. Then pre World Cup I wrote in to do a little “I told you so”, which I took zero pleasure in. Not only was Moyes driving our first team into the ground, his failure to involve our best youth team players resulted in 3 of them leaving age 17 to seek better opportunities elsewhere. Gutting. Even then, another WF fan said I was misguided about Moyes. As I said 7 months ago, and again 3 months ago, and every single day before and since then, being managed by David Moyes is the most depressing experience I have had in 30 years of support. I genuinely believe that we have quality players. But Moyes has sucked all the life out of the players and the fans. When we beat Southampton last weekend we were so terrible that I was more worried about relegation after the game than I was before the 3 points. The silver lining of the utter embarrassment against Newcastle was that surely that would be the final straw for that grey negative man. Alas, we have said the same thing since October, and it is clear that for some reason he is unsackable. Today’s win against Fulham was on the one hand a miracle (the table doesn’t lie, shouldn’t care about performances), and on the other was such an awful, negative, soulless performance that I could not take any pleasure in it. If we stay up it will be a miracle and I will feel dirty, because this travesty of a manager doesn’t deserve anything.
Passes – 649 – 196
Possession 76% – 24%
We had zero meaningful shots (let alone on target), and yet won 1-0 with an own goal as a winner. It is a Moyes wet dream. That is his ideal game. He even admits it himself. This is genuinely his definition of a perfect game. It is a disgrace.
Somehow, to win the European Conference League (eff you, it is a real trophy, I am genuinely excited (hey Spuds, when was your last trophy???)), we need to beat Championship quality opposition. If we somehow stay up (100% reliant upon other teams being worse), and if we win this Cup, I am terrified that Moyes might even stay. I dread it.
I would rather have any manager other than Moyes, apart from Lampard of course, which is the only thing I can even crack a smile about.
Thanks for your fantastic work.
MJ
Bathed in Light
Do you think Abramovich sold the club to Todd Boehly and his associates, as he knew they would be the worst choice with regards to running the club, and in turn make the Abramovich era shine even brighter in the mind of Chelsea fans, for his legacy ego.
Dave (not a Chelsea fan btw) Oxford
Lampard…
What everyone seems to have missed is Lampard is returning from the (metaphorical) death at Easter.
Is he the Messiha?
There’s certainly an almighty mess at Chelsea.
Rob
Football is often criticised for failing to apply the structures and logic of other businesses. Rather than strategy, circumspection and long term vision, decisions seem to be made via a complex web of neolithic superstition, nepotistic irrationalism and a good old fashioned cocktail of rank stupidity and populism. With this in mind, Lampard’s return to Chelsea is like:
– Reemploying the housekeeper who was fired for sh*gging your wife
– Booking a second surgery with the circumciser who cut your b*llocks off
– Inviting the burglar who robbed your flat and sh*t on your bed round to housesit and giving them a laxative-laced vindaloo
– Reelecting Boris Johnson
– Sticking your tadger back in the electric pencil sharpener to ‘see if it happens again’
Long may Todd Boehly and his antithetical reign of predictability and chaos continue. And may we all look forward to Chelsea finishing 15th and Lampard getting the Real job.
D*cky Malb@lls
Lampard out.
That’s all.
AP – Singapore
Wank Lampard? It’s catchy, suitable, apt…
Strevs, Afc, Canada
So happy they re-hired him
Someone’s blue in the face
Levenshulme Blue with one of the finest examples of first world problems I’ve ever read.
Complains bitterly about the torture of having to pay for seat at Wembley FIFTEEN TIMES (sic) in 12 years, then goes in two-footed on the fans who can’t attend matches, without any apparent irony.
Thank god you’re not going, now someone who actually appreciates their team getting to a SF at Wembley can go.
Jim (CAPS LOCK FOR EMPHASIS) K
Big Weekend
Greetings from Athens.Just noticed you guys have just omitted the Old Firm clash for the 2nd time in a row from Big weekend fixture!
It is one of the biggest derbies in the world with global appeal not matter what riding on it.
Just saying.
Best.
Neil, Normally Glasgow