2023/2024 Premier League Nuggets

1 December MW13 BURNLEY HOME DISCOMFORT Burnley’s miserable record breaking home form continued in agonising fashion as they led the match against West Ham going into the last few minutes, only to concede an own goal in 86th minute and then another goal in added time. So the Clarets’ form at Turf Moor does notContinue reading “2023/2024 Premier League Nuggets”

Premier League Nuggets 2023/24

6 October MW7 RED MIST  Liverpool’s two red cards on Saturday night took their tally for the season to four in just seven matches, which is as many as they received in over four seasons. The previous four red cards spanned 167 matches and almost five years between James Milner being sent off in JanuaryContinue reading “Premier League Nuggets 2023/24”

Premier League Nuggets 2023/24 – MW 5

22 September Week 5  TO THE BITTER END Both Tottenham and Aston Villa scored twice after the 96th minute of their matches, the latest in an increasingly long line of goals scored in 2nd half added time. There have been 18 goals scored this season after 90 minutes, 12% of overall total. Tottenham’s second goalContinue reading “Premier League Nuggets 2023/24 – MW 5”

Premier League Nuggets 2022/23 MW4

8 September It might be an international break but there are still plenty of nuggets to unearth from Matchweek 4 to keep us entertained : PROMOTED CLUBS’ PROLONGED AGONY Sheffield United’s draw against Everton was the first, and up to now, only point the promoted clubs have gained. This is only the second time in PremierContinue reading “Premier League Nuggets 2022/23 MW4”

Premier League Nuggets 2023/24

After Match Week 2 a few patterns are emerging, including a rather ominous sign for the promoted clubs and some impressive achievements by a few of the London clubs. POINTLESS PROMOTION: BURNLEY, LUTON & SHEFFIELD UNITED Sheffield United’s loss against Nottingham Forest was the 4th defeat suffered by the three promoted clubs. Only once beforeContinue reading “Premier League Nuggets 2023/24”

Premier League Nuggets 2023/24

So that’s Week 1 done and dusted and here are the tastiest Nuggets from that opening weekend :- Week 2 NEWCASTLE As Newcastle fans rejoiced in hammering Villa 5-1 on Saturday, as well as being top of the league, they could be forgiven for missing out on the fact that they are currently the onlyContinue reading “Premier League Nuggets 2023/24”

The 2022 Play-Offs: Return of crowds, Records and Redemption

If any evidence of the popularity of the Football League Play-Offs was needed, it was provided this week by the Sunderland Sheffield Wednesday tie. On Friday night the record for the highest attendance of a semi-final was broken by over 4,000 as 44,724 gathered at the Stadium of Light for the first leg. An impressiveContinue reading “The 2022 Play-Offs: Return of crowds, Records and Redemption”

Is the Premier League Manager of the Month cursed?

NB This is a fuller version of the piece published in the Guardian on 7th April, with added information A myriad of myths that swirl throughout football, some of which hold credence, such as ‘The Law of the Ex’ that dictates more often than not that strikers will score against their former clubs. Another ofContinue reading “Is the Premier League Manager of the Month cursed?”

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”

Down, Down, Down – Why relegation already being decided is a pity

When Sam Allardyce finally lost his oft-quoted record of never being relegated from the Premier League there were quite a few people revelling in a spot of Schadenfreude. The memory of his grubby dethronement as England boss allied with his uncompromising and prickly persona combined to make him one of the least likeable managers. EarlierContinue reading “Down, Down, Down – Why relegation already being decided is a pity”