English football 2022-23

[sussexpob]

I wish Sunderland well, but I think Sunderland would get crushed next season if they somehow made it back into the Prem. It's incredible that they've made it to the play offs. I think they only have one striker and he has been out for a while. The owners would probably have to make a Chelsea sized investment to become even remotely competitive and whoever they are (think it might be a young chap from a monied family) they haven't done that yet. Still..... that might happen if they got into the cash rich Premier League.

Middlesbrough would be better placed to give it a go, of the two Northern sides. Michael Carrick has done a terrific job since he took over and the owner (presumably still Steve Gibson) has history of backing his managers to the hilt with his cash.

Yeah, I spoke to my old man (Sunderland fan) the other night about whether he was excited for the playoffs, and he said exactly the same thing - If Sunderland win, they will be annihilated in the PL. He was saying all their best players are on loan, small squad, would be hell on Earth in the PL.

Steve Gibson is still the Middlesbrough owner, but he is no longer rich enough in the context of modern football to give Middlesbrough any spending power. Having a 150 million in the bank 20 years ago meant you could splash a bit around, but one Forest sides transfer window would bankrupt him in 2023.

I think Coventry, Luton and Sunderland are better stories for me, no offence to the smoggies intended!

[Durhamfootman]

my son in law is feeling chuffed as Sunderland snatch the last play off place. However, he was supposed to be looking after his kids on Saturday whilst my daughter and Mrs DF go out for tea, but now I've ended up with the baby sitting duties so that he can go to the pub to watch the match

Playing Luton. Luton's ground isn't up to standard if they do go up, which is no surprise, given the place.

he'll go to the pool club with his mates and watch it on the telly

Saturday is my day to go to the Durham Yorks match, so it now looks like I'll have to come home at the tea interval

Given the recent weather, It will be raining anyway!

well... yes

[Durhamfootman]

Mowbray was talking promotion up, even if it ended in pain and immediate relegation. He feels that this is the quickest way for Sunderland to get where they need to be financially. Investment has clearly been hard to come by, so promotion would fast track by several years, the levels of investment he obviously thinks the club needs to be able to say that they've finally recovered from subsequent demotions and 4 years in the 3rd div.

[Durhamfootman]

My son in law will be happier for Sunderland coming back from an early goal down. Still plenty of work to do in the return leg.

I've been seeing pictures of Kenilworth Rd. Jeez.... you wouldn't want to live in one of the houses around there. It looks as though there's a gap between a row of houses for all the supporters to pile through to access the ground. Looks about as far away from a Premier league ground as it's possible to get

[Durhamfootman]

A bit of a disappointing match for Newcastle. I did wonder, when i saw the appt of Allardyce as Leeds manager. He has unfinished business with Newcastle fans after the way he was hounded out by them. I was at SJP for a midweek match v Everton when he was their manager and the crowd gave him pelters all through the match. They did the same with Pickford because of his Sunderland history. Pathetic really...... all that happened was that Pickford was sensational and saved everything, Rooney scored and Allardyce nicked a 1-0 win, which he very, very clearly enjoyed. Christian Atsu played in that match, gawd bless him

At least today wasn't a defeat. Every point is going to count over the next couple of weeks

[Durhamfootman]

Notts County return to the football league after winning their play off final

took penalties in the end, but it's no more than they deserve... they and Wrexham were miles and miles ahead of everybody else in that table

[mikesiva]

Everton 0-3 Manchester City
Arsenal 0-3 Brighton

One hand on the trophy.

[Durhamfootman]

two hands, I reckon

[Durhamfootman]

Brighton get mullered one week by a bottom of the table side and then beat Arsenal away 3-0

[bigfluffylemon]

Two points needed from 3 games assuming Arsenal don't drop any points.

It's over.

The European places are all but settled too.

Relegation is still a nailbiter though.

[Durhamfootman]

Apart from me wanting Leicester to survive, an unexpected victory over Liverpool, maybe even a draw, would also be very helpful for Newcastle, partly by arrsting Liverpool's momentum, but also by making the Newcastle match at the weekend less of a must win for Leicester

I can't see it though. Leicester looked a shambles the other day

[Gingerfinch]

Will your son in law be making the long trip to lovely Luton tomorrow, Footman?

[sussexpob]

Brighton get mullered one week by a bottom of the table side and then beat Arsenal away 3-0

What happens when you have to play 7 games in a couple of weeks, he has had to chop and change a lot. Great result... Caicedo just added 50 million onto the value Arsenal need to pay in August.

[Durhamfootman]

Will your son in law be making the long trip to lovely Luton tomorrow, Footman?

I doubt it, Ginger.

I was wrong about the telly in the pool hall for the first leg, it turns out a mate had got them both tickets at the SOL. The return leg will surely be the telly

[Durhamfootman]

Brighton get mullered one week by a bottom of the table side and then beat Arsenal away 3-0

What happens when you have to play 7 games in a couple of weeks, he has had to chop and change a lot.

presumably that'll be down to the cup run, which very nearly led them to a grand day out, so I guess you have to take the fixture congestion