The Game

Tom Clarke is back fresh as a daisy from his holidays, and he is joined by Charlotte Duncker, Tony Cascarino and Gregor Robertson to review the weekend’s goal fest.

Are standards slipping at City or were Spurs brilliant. Trent Alexander Arnold was outstanding, and he was everywhere, does it matter what his starting position is. 

All change at Sheffield United as Paul Heckingbottom bows out after a five nil defeat at Burnley. Chris Wilder is back, but with the current owners is the Bramall Lane job a poisoned chalice.

Plus big wins for Burnley and Everton and some boos for Steve Cooper.

City v Spurs

2’ Problems for City or brilliant spurs

5’ drop off in defending, standards not the same. Injuries are key – Stones, De Bryne.

9’ three games back to back with things to worry about and lack of control. Very un-City like.

11’ Spur were brave, clever and relentless. But could they have even won if they had tailored their approach just a bit?

13’ all or nothing under Postecoglou. 

Arsenal

15’ Rice adds resilience and stability. More pragmatic.

17’ Learning from previous seasons. Have a stronger squad this season.

 Liverpool and Fulham

19’ Trent AA outstanding. Should he just play in midfield. Teams exploiting the space he leaves though.

21’ Down to bones defensively, Matip and Robertson out for some time.

22’ TAA is a generational talent. How many players can do what he can do. But what is his role?

25’ Does it matter if he has a position. Do Liverpool have an alternate right back?

27’ Fulham lacking a bit of edge but played well. Similar to last season, need to strengthen. Still nearly men. 

Villa

29’ Over achieving, but now with champions league aspirations.

30’ Emery doing it with effectively the same squad Gerrard had. It is now Emery’s club, his staff, his set up. Involved in everything and working very well. But will they make top four.  

Sheffield United 

34’ Paul Heckingbottom out, Chris Wilder back in.

35’ coming into a a club up for sale, in need of players and a team dispirited.

36’ owners are a real problem. 

37’ Why would wilder go back to such a mess? 15 fit players before the season started.

40’ Owner admitted to being in touch with wilder all season, unfair on Heckingbottom.

44’ no chance of staying up. Owners fault, not Paul Heckingbottom. 

Burnley

 45’ Finally some relief for Kompany. Will this be the spark?

46’ Confidence yes, but turnaround, not sure. Look at who they beat…

48’ They have been the better team in many of their games, but to open to hang on. Does Kompany need to temper his principles a bit?

 Forest

51’ first boos for Steve Cooper at the City ground. Are fans starting to doubt him?

53’ leading striker out till new year. Replacements not up to same level. No shot on goal until 31st minute.

55’ next two games make or break for Cooper. Results need to improve.

57’ Everton created lots of chances. Chris Wood right up the street of Everton centre halves. Needed a different approach.

59’ Everton comfortable. But game lacked quality. Everton good enough to pull away, even with a ten point deduction.

60’ But Calvert Lewin injured again.