English football 2025-26

[andy]

Point wasn't the ideal result for us last night however it is isn't a catastrophjc result...pushes us two points clear of spurs and more importantly isn't a confidence denting loss

[bigfluffylemon]

That point sends Wolves down.

It's been inevitable for months - I'm only surprised they lasted this long given they were on 2 points at Christmas.

[Durhamfootman]

equally as inevitable...... Rosenior has been sacked by Chelsea

[bigfluffylemon]

Bye bye Burnley, and City go top on goals scored. It's going to go to the wire it seems - who will blink first?

As an aside, it's 22nd April and there are still 5 games to go. With cup competitions City and Arsenal will potentially be playing 8 games in 5 weeks. There's a massive 2 and a half weeks between the end of the PL season and the world cup kicking off - and Arsenal might be playing a CL final in that time.

Is it any wonder England players often look jaded when they turn up to an international competition? The fixture congestion, tight turnaround and minimal time for the squad to train together - I know they're highly paid and fit professionals but they're still human. I wouldn't blame them for being tired.

[Durhamfootman]

funnily enough, I've been thinking the same thing this morning. It seems crazy that we're nearly at the end of April and there are still so many matches to go. Should the PL be an 18 team league, with one game to go this weekend and the showpiece FA cup final over the May day BH weekend?

Maybe that's Commie talk?

[sussexpob]

Is it any wonder England players often look jaded when they turn up to an international competition? The fixture congestion, tight turnaround and minimal time for the squad to train together - I know they're highly paid and fit professionals but they're still human. I wouldn't blame them for being tired.

The excuse doesn't really wash, because all the leagues are the same, and the majority of players in successful world cup squads come from teams that go deep in Europe or for domestic sides that challenge for honours and can't rest players. The only real exception is Germany, where they have an 18 team league which allows a long winter break without having to compensate for it by a huge glut of fixtures after.... this has translated into Germany having their historically statistically worst period in history in the last 12 years since they won the WC, so the apparent advantage has resulted in worst performance.

There have been many advocates for winter breaks, but I don't think people really think that through at all. Belgium is one of the few that has them, and I can tell you now that in order to free up 3 weeks after Christmas, you end up with 2 games per week for a lot of the period after, and when Brugge or Union have made the Europa or CL knockouts and the cup final, that means every single week you play at least twice. Winter breaks actually mean more congestion, and players look done in by April. Every year at least 2-3 teams in the playoff just give in, Gent lost 10 games in a row at the end of last year after finishing 4th.

Everyone will be knackered.

[Durhamfootman]

controversial, but I thought the standard of football in the winter WC was better because it occurred in the middle of the season rather than the end

might just be me, of course

[andy]

Anyone else heard the rumours from Sunderland about Lenbris losing his job if Sunderland dosent qualify for Europe?! Sums up the state of football right now that is unbelievable if it happens!

[Durhamfootman]

there was something about Le Bris on the local news last night, but I wasn't really paying much attention.... usual paper talk nonsense.... best to ignore it and starve it of oxygen

[Durhamfootman]

even if there's a shred of truth in it, all is good for Le Bris.

He gets his trousers stuffed full of cash
His reputation is enhanced when jobs become available in the summer
He can relax on a yacht somewhere for a few weeks
He won't have to deal with the PSR fallout in a year's time after overseeing the acquisition of 15 players last summer (was it 15 or was it more than that?)
He can have a right good laugh at the poor sucker tasked with continuing his work with no money to spend and a points deduction looming

Did I mention that his reputation will be enhanced?

[bigfluffylemon]

Forest

Must be safe now, surely? It would take a monumental turnaround from here for them to go down.

[andy]

Le Bris should be safe he really should but if the Sunderland board are thinking of a change then last night wouldn't have helped him still embarrassing that it's even a possiblity though

[sussexpob]

Anyone else heard the rumours from Sunderland about Lenbris losing his job if Sunderland dosent qualify for Europe?! Sums up the state of football right now that is unbelievable if it happens!

It's not really a club that is famous for making good decisions or having good leadership, so it wouldn't shock me.

Still remember watching Sunderland till I die, and that scene where the new CEO is meeting his scouts. They are in League One, basically bankrupt, need to clear 2 million quid off the weekly wage bill to make sure they can keep the lights on....

And then as the meeting starts, it turns out the only idea the Chief Scout has is to sign Zlatan on a free transfer

Absolutely hilarious. And Sunderland fans wonder why they get relegated so much.

[sussexpob]

West Ham 1-0, and Spurs so far labouring at Wolves to create anything. Surely if these results stay the same, Spurs are in need of a miracle

[sussexpob]

Xavi Simons being stretched off at Wolves. I hope that looks worse than it actually is, but I reckon that might be an ACL popped. Simons clearly distressed and I think he was actually crying... fingers crossed hes back on the pitch soon, only a young lad...