Reluctant Striker

Reached the stage a while back that Bournemouth (h) is an expected 3 points. But great to get them, after going a goal down & 3 days after European extra time. Chelsea next can feel positive with just 1 point, or maybe even near to a free hit. 6 or 7 games left of what's been a good season. Slightly above my expectations. Way above many neutrals. Every game like a final now, until it's over.

It has been sad for the state of English club football that the 3 promoted teams have done so badly. The most Luton & Burnley can get to is 37 & 36 points. And they will not be getting there. I'd say Forest have tougher games than Everton, but feels like both should do enough. Could be the least dramatic area of the table this season.

Personally I think continental & global football bodies should stop expanding what is only ever going to be gimmick tournaments, for a select few fans & new target audiences.

I remember when they brought in replay penalties.. and scrapped replays until an actual winner. I'm sure no replays will pass out of thought. But for certain, a brave away draw by an underdog is likely much better rewarded with a home reply. Not penalties on the day.

I do wonder if the 'we had to play midweek in Europe' excuse will start flipping from Premier League managers? To we had to play in the Premier League on Saturday..

Emi Martinez just does not lose penalty shoot outs. I do think he should really think a bit more if he's on a yellow. Pretty sure Unai will make that point to him. Fortunate in many ways, given the 'equaliser' was from their keeper fumbling the ball.

Crazy that Villa play 2 home games (Bournemouth & Chelsea) before Spurs play another league match. The next 3 for Spurs being Arsenal, Chelsea & Liverpool all away. Obviously I'd be delighted with Villa taking 4 points, to give a 7 point lead, to heap the pressure on a run of 3 fixtures like those. I'm sure Spurs will improve on the Newcastle result. But Villa do have it in their hands again right now. For 4th. And still in the Conference League too. Best it's been for a long time.

It would have been nice if Man City (a) could have gone more like this. But, where Villa finish could be significant in terms of the owners ambition to grow the club. I think we are starting to see that Liverpool were patched up in some areas & Arsenal perhaps do lack a Salah or De Bruyne level game changer.

Yes, I think Man United is the toughest Premier League manager job right now. But not for any good reasons. The recruitment has lacked any vision for a while. Liverpool sound like they are going for Amorim. Perhaps the most on trend available name. Chelsea perhaps need a manager who can get the best out of the youthful squad the owners opted for. But Man United, to get to where most their fans think they should be, they are likely several good transfer windows away, before they can even start looking at the right head coach to get them to the top again.

I don't know & follow all the ins & outs. I just know it's incredibly sad it went from terrorist kidnappings to accusations of genocide intent to military confrontation with Iran. And Russia is still in Ukraine. And there's probably other things around the world not making it to BBC News. Just really sad.

Not many stand out candidates around for too many vacancies. Alonso could yet be a 1 season wonder. Tuchel has looked to me for a while like he has an external desire to be Klopp, with an inner Roy Keane. Whether it's Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea, or all 3 appointing a new manager this summer, it could be on who takes the best gamble. For many Emery had failed in England. Not sure many saw Big Ange as an obvious Premier League candidate. Bournemouth were criticised. The Wolves manager abandoned a sinking ship. Was Eddie Howe a clear & obvious choice? Given the lack of obvious big names, and the gambles that have, to an extent, paid off over recent seasons, I think it would be football snobbery to entirely rule out a Southgate, or a Roberto Martinez, or whoever seems like a currently insufficient name.

I'd laugh @ Spurs but Villa play at Arsenal tomorrow.

Seemed to be as full strength as it gets right now. Conceding the goal was disappointing. No idea if away goals are a thing or not in this.

Shocking result. I guess a 5th Champions League spot just got further away..

Not sure I can remember a season with 3 title challengers at this stage. 4th feels difficult to call. The optimist in me sees Spurs only favourites in 2 of their games & entirely capable of losing the next 4. While the form & my pessimistic side tells me not to count on 9 points from Bournemouth, Brighton & Palace. And that Spurs will somehow do better against top half sides.