It seems inevitable that Antonio Conte will leave Chelsea this summer – what is less clear is the manner in which that departure will take place. Finish with an FA Cup victory and qualification for the Champions League, and the Italian will be remembered as one of the most successful managers in the club’s history.… Read more →
A crucial part of Shrewsbury Town’s impressive automatic promotion challenge has been their defensive unity. A week ago, they had conceded just eight first half goals in League One, highlighting their collective resilience. More recently though, they have had to show a different type of resilience after being punished for below-par first half displays against… Read more →
If Bournemouth’s 1-1 draw at Leicester last week proved anything, it is that they are at their most productive when they are on the offensive. The Cherries enjoyed a positive first hour, during which Charlie Daniels made several intelligent forward runs from left-back to link up with forwards Callum Wilson and Josh King. The latter… Read more →
It seems counter-intuitive to refer to Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur as the Premier League’s underachievers, but they have fallen short of expectations this term. Having spent plenty of money on a squad that has finished second in successive seasons, minus Kyle Walker, they should be higher than seventh. Above them sit Burnley, who finished 14… Read more →
As if to wholly restore the mood of trust and positivity around Elland Road, Leeds United completed back-to-back wins last week for the first time since September. It has been an intriguing period in West Yorkshire from a neutral perspective. The current chairman, Andrea Radrizzani, appears to have a stronger long-term vision for the club… Read more →
A tale of two clubs who have been heavily influenced by John Sheridan. The former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder left Oldham Athletic more recently – three months ago – but remnants of his defensive ideology are more evident at Home Park, where he departed back in May 2015. Oldham very quickly changed their recruitment policy and… Read more →
It has been an exciting few weeks for Colchester United – and even more so, for Sammie Szmodics. The 22-year-old academy graduate has bagged ten for the season in all forms and five in his last six, including two in a man-of-the-match performance against Exeter City in their last home game. His individualism compliments the… Read more →
Andy Carroll’s header helped Newcastle United to a 1-0 victory in North London back in November 2010, but Arsenal won the subsequent five home fixtures by a combined score of 17-5. On Saturday though, neither they nor their hosts will approach the game in especially positive mood. Newcastle have picked up just one point from… Read more →
A couple of wins can change the mood around a club and nowhere is that more evident than Crawley Town. Many fans wanted Harry Kewell to be sacked as head coach after last month’s 4-0 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers, where he was accused of getting involved in an altercation with a supporter. Kewell shortly afterwards… Read more →
Not only have Walsall won their previous three games, they are starting to knock the ball around with a little more confidence than we have seen previously. The Saddlers played some excellent one-touch stuff in the build-up to Kieron Morris’ long-range winner in the win over Scunthorpe and some of the combination play between Florent… Read more →