Monday morning Nuggets – Matchweek 19

Yesterday’s win over Leicester was Man City’s 35th in 2021 and with 47 points at halfway stage could still break the 100 barrier as they did in 2017/18.  City last conceded three goals at the Etihad in September 2020 to none other than Leicester who on that occasion beat them 5-2.  Wilfried Zaha’s sending offContinue reading “Monday morning Nuggets – Matchweek 19”

Boxing Day 1963 and how fortunes switched dramatically two days later

As the frenetic Christmas calendar swings into action English players are very much in the minority amongst major European leagues in readying themselves for the customary glut of games squeezed into the tightest of holiday schedules. While the Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 are embarking on at least a fortnight’s winter break, Premier LeagueContinue reading “Boxing Day 1963 and how fortunes switched dramatically two days later”

Friday Morning Nuggets – 17/12/21

A gentle reminder that you can still grab the brand spanking new, fully revised edition of Premier League Nuggets in time for Christmas either in shops or online so hurry while stocks last. Norwich have scored only eight goals in seventeen matches so far this season, adding in the two goals they scored in theirContinue reading “Friday Morning Nuggets – 17/12/21”

Celebrating Panini’s 60th anniversary

There are countless sticker collections gathering dust in lofts across the country. Panini albums have been avidly compiled by millions of people across many generations, dating back to the first that was launched in the UK for the 1970 World Cup. The sticking phenomenon was so popular, it even had its own language — ‘swapsies’,Continue reading “Celebrating Panini’s 60th anniversary”

Friday Morning Nuggets – Matchweek 14

In a break with tradition, today’s blog post is a selection of the seven tastiest Nuggets from MW14 as there was a full round of midweek action to delve into. Plus a gentle reminder that you still have time to buy this year’s ‘must have’ Christmas gift for all football fans: the revised edition ofContinue reading “Friday Morning Nuggets – Matchweek 14”

Managerial Merry-Go-Round: Episode 6

Photo c/o larry_rw Unsplash.com The managerial merry-go-round shows no signs of slowing down, indeed it appears to be gathering pace. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s dismissal was the sixth in the Premier League this season and we are only in Week 12, so less than a third of the way through. By contrast there were only fourContinue reading “Managerial Merry-Go-Round: Episode 6”

Team of the Eighties-Part Two

Part Two of an exclusive interview with Al Ryan, writer and director, providing an insight  into the production of “Team of the Eighties” documentary [Part One https://bit.ly/3k9lV7Q%5D At the time Ryan pitched the concept he was working at the club developing Palace TV. “Steve Parish phoned me up one morning asking if we had someContinue reading “Team of the Eighties-Part Two”

One Arsène Wenger

When you go to an event entitled “An Evening with Arsène Wenger and David Dein” you have to anticipate a glorified Arsenal love-in. And that was what transpired on Monday evening. As a Palace fan I felt a little awkward, having the distinct impression that I was undertaking an operation behind enemy lines.  So whenContinue reading “One Arsène Wenger”

Team of the Eighties – Part One

This week was a particularly poignant time to catch up with Al Ryan, writer and director of the “Team of the Eighties” documentary that charts the many ups and downs of Crystal Palace Football Club from the early-1970s. The club went through a seismic transformation under the influence of flamboyant Malcolm Allison when he arrivedContinue reading “Team of the Eighties – Part One”

Palace banner protest against Newcastle’s new owners

Two weeks ago I wrote about the takeover of Newcastle United that was funded primarily by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. “The link with Saudi’s PIF, which is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman opened up accusations of sportswashing. Much of this condemnation has stemmed from human rights groups such as Amnesty UK who,Continue reading “Palace banner protest against Newcastle’s new owners”