Good morning. Here is your briefing. Let’s start with some news.
No less an authority than Gary Lineker discusses Leicester’s heroics in the Guardian.
Daniel Storey uses the power of numbers to illustrate the awesomeness of Romelu Lukaku. It’s just possible, and there’s no way of knowing for sure, but it’s worth a discussion, that Chelsea dropped a bollock there.
Speaking of Chelsea, has John Terry just clicked ‘Pick A Club For Me’ in the menu screen? He’s been linked with the vacancy at Brondby.
And this isn’t a Chelsea special or anything, but Martin Samuel is very good on their uselessness in the transfer market, and also on the Leicester vs Nottingham Forest debate.
There will be a wave of The Absolute State of Arsenal articles today. Former striker Alan Smith gets his in first in the Daily Telegraph.
And finally, Swiss Ramble is back. This week, he assesses Liverpool’s financial situation. This is more interesting that it sounds.
ON YOUR TELLY THIS WEEK (Assuming that you live in the UK)
Rafa Benitez has faced some Herculean challenges in the past, but is he really ready for Newcastle United? Can he deliver the hard slap across the face that this rotten football club requires? Can he create a team worthy of that support? And perhaps more importantly, can Leicester City continue their charge to the most unlikely title since Djibril Cisse took an interest in Frodsham? Find out tonight on Sky Sports 1 at 2000. Alternatively, though why you’d want to watch anything else is beyond us, you can catch Granda vs Espanyol on Sky Sports 5 at 1930 or Benfica vs Tondela on BT Sport Europe.
It’s Champions League night on Tuesday. Manchester City were upsettingly blunt away at Norwich at the weekend, but it might not matter when they take on Dynamo Kiev at 1945. They already have a two goal cushion and three away goals. All they have to do is not screw up. Is that too much to ask? We don’t want to make your decision for you, but you might have more fun watching Atletico Madrid vs PSV Eindhoven. That one is finely poised after a goalless first leg. It’s all on BT Sport.
There’s probably very little point in watching Arsenal away at Barcelona on Wednesday, given that the Catalans have a two goal lead from the first leg. But it could be tuning in for Bayern Munich vs Juventus. The German league leaders don’t seem to have many defenders and they were a bit slack in the first leg, squandering a two goal lead. Massimiliano Allegri’s side have more than a fair chance here. That’s all on BT Sport too.
Talking of squandering a two goal lead, is there any chance that Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will do that at Old Trafford on Thursday? Louis van Gaal had better hope so. Another insipid showing like the dross his side served up at Anfield and his position is going to start to look untenable. And if a United victory seems unlikely, what then of Tottenham? They’re three goals down from the first leg and they were lucky to get away with that. You’ll find those games, and all of the other Europa League fixtures, plastered all over BT Sport.
We’ve been a little dismissive of Friday football fare this season, but you’re spoiled for choice this week. Schalke vs Borussia Monchengladbach looks like fun on BT Sport Europe at 1930, but so too does Marseille vs Rennes on BT Sport Extra 2 at 1930. You can always catch up with plucky little Eibar when they play Getafe on Sky Sports red button at 1930, or catch up with Rangers as they close on a return to the top flight. They’re away at Falkirk on BT Sport 1. Pick of the games though, in our humble opinion, is troubled Middlesbrough at home to promotion hopefuls Hull City on Sky Sports 1 at 1945. And if you fancy making it a long night, there’s New York City vs Orlando on Sky Sports 1 at 2300.
Full TV listings can be found over here on the Live Football on TV page.
BOOK OF THE WEEK
We haven’t been sent a single book all year, so we’re reduced to trawling charity shops for reading fodder. But we’re not complaining. A chance visit to the RSPCA shop in London’s swollen and wretched Crouch End garnered England Managers: The Toughest Job in Football by Brian Glanville. “Most football writers fall into two categories,” wrote Patrick Barclay once. “Those who have been influenced by Brian Glanville and those who should have been.”
As with many of Brian’s books, the real joy is in the stream of first hand anecdotes, always delivered with acerbic relish. No-one escapes entirely unscathed, even Sir Alf Ramsey and he won the World Cup. Every bookshelf should have a Glanville or two and this, along with his World Cup history and his outstanding collection of obituaries, is essential reading.
BEST NON-FOOTBALL THING
Cassette Boy. Donald Trump. Fish in a barrel.
FROM OUR VAULT
Last week was the 50th anniversary of the death of George Camsell, perhaps the greatest goalscorer you’ve never heard of. But perhaps you have heard of him. Perhaps you read Nick Miller’s excellent profile when we first ran it last year. If not, you can make amends right now.
If you’d like to recommend something for next Monday’s briefing, get in touch by emailing [email protected]
