Drama by the Trent. Drama about Trent.
A look at the weekend's action and fraction.
One can only imagine Brian Clough’s reaction to Nottingham Forest’s owner coming on to the pitch in such a furious mood. It’s fair to say the late, great Forest manager would have despatched Evangelos Marinakis back to the smart seats sharpish. Marinakis delivered some strong words to Nuno Espirito Santo, whether out of frustration with the dropped points against Leicester City or voicing anger over the medical staff handling’s of Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury - or both. But talking so animatedly to the manager is not a good look. The field is Nuno’s domain.
Marinakis has technically relinquished ownership of Forest (because of Uefa’s rules on multi-ownership in European competition) so was this technically a pitch invasion? Also, what message does it send to fans about not coming on the pitch?
Marinakis should be embracing Nuno and giving thanks to him for transforming Forest’s fortunes. Nuno deserves praise for getting Forest so close to Champions League qualification with a small squad, dealing currently with injuries to Callum Hudson-Odoi and Murillo, and the draining, if briefly joyous distraction of the FA Cup run. Marinakis appointed well with Nuno and he would do well not to undermine him.
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As Arne Slot diplomatically commented, Liverpool fans have every right to express their opinions about Trent Alexander-Arnold. It’s their passion, their club and their feeling of anger that somebody should want to seek challenges elsewhere. Yet it would have been smarter of the Kop to have focused solely on singing about Conor Bradley, celebrating Alexander-Arnold’s likely successor. Ignoring Alexander-Arnold would have cut to the quick more. It would have sent a message of we’ve forgotten you, you’re nothing to us now, we’ve got “Conor Bradley, No 84, put Mbappe on the floor”. By becoming so vocal and splenetic towards Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool fans revealed the depth of their hurt at losing one of their own, losing a player with match-winning gifts and their anger at the way the move played out.
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Nicolas Jackson should have been on borrowed time anyway at Chelsea. He’s 24 next month, hasn’t improved particularly in his two years there, still struggles with offside, doesn’t take chances with sufficient regularity, and has only one goal in 15 Premier League games anyway. Jackson’s deserved dismissal for elbowing Newcastle United’s Sven Botman ends his domestic season, and compromises Chelsea’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League. Enzo Maresca’s attacking options now are basically Pedro Neto through the middle. The Portuguese winger can definitely play there. Of other options, Marc Guiu is injured while Christopher Nkunku doesn’t exactly appear to have much of a future at the club. Jackson himself deserves the elbow. Chelsea need a more reliable and disciplined centre-forward.
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Some Arsenal fans have been railing against Mikel Arteta for the fading of the season’s light. Arsenal went out of the Champions League in the City of Light and the flickering candle of Premier League hopes were extinguished early on in a run of one win in six. There was already understandable frustration over Arteta’s and the club’s failure to tackle the team’s most glaring flaw – the absence of a No 9. That’s cost Arsenal badly this season, and last. Some have been calling with increasing venom for a change in the dug-out. Yet Arteta’s response to Liverpool’s dominance at Anfield yesterday showed why the dissenters are wrong and why he deserves the board’s faith. Tactically, Arteta turned the game’s flow back Arsenal’s way by putting Gabriel Martinelli through the middle. He changed the mood, too, and Arsenal resumed the game far more assertively. Martinelli was superb, troubling Liverpool’s defence with his pace in behind, and David Raya embodied the renewed defiance. Martin Odegaard improved. Just as Arsenal deserved to be trailing 2-0 at the break, so they deserved the point at full-time. He’s made some naïve comments recently, about points totals and being the best team in the Champions League, which have led to mockery. Arteta needs those he trusts to advise him how certain comments will play out. But he remains a very good manager and man-manager. The second half at Anfield confirmed that.
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Ruben Amorim talks the truth. His comments about Manchester United’s squad flaws and cultural defects may make painful listening, especially on repeat, but United need to hear them. It’s only what many fans have been saying anyway. Amorim should, though, talk more positively about his own involvement, and highlight that the team will be different after a transfer window and their first pre-season under him. He shouldn’t doubt himself because then others will.
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Strange developments in Belfast. The home of Northern Ireland football HQ has been renamed the “Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park”. One venue, three names. Nobody will call it that, it’s Windsor Park. Just as Crystal Palace and Manchester City fans aren’t currently singing about going to “Wembley Stadium connected by EE”. They’re going to Wembley. Birmingham City fans don’t hurry to “St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park” but to St Andrew’s, however much they may respect owners Knighthead.
Sponsors’ names easier to do with new stadia, like the Emirates, Etihad, G-tech and Amex. King Power works as a name, and that succeeded the Walkers Stadium. New stadia names pass more easily into common parlance. Yet Dean Court is not always name-checked because the Vitality works as a name. It’s snappy and sounds sporty. “Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park” is too much of a mouthful. Not good for a mixer drink company, although in fairness to the sponsors they already invest in the sport and assorted competitions. There is a link. Fans can accept naming rights if they are manageable but, most importantly, if they are lucrative, worth selling the family silver for. The Irish FA is getting only £1m over seven years, a modest return for rebranding a famous old name.
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Enjoy the week. I’m holed up writing another book, this one called “Obsession”, about lessons from the greatest game. I’ll also be doing my daily podcasts, The Winter View. If you haven’t subscribed yet, please do consider: http://podfollow.com/the-winter-view
Always thought Sheffield United would summon up the muscle and goals. Be an interesting final. Liverpool fanbase split on Trent. Some have already moved on. Others still enraged. Partly that’s the modern media (social media) world. Their reaction was really poor. How else could Trent have handled it? Waited until the title was won, scored an important goal at Leicester. Fingers could be pointed as much at FSG.
Booing one of your own just impacts negatively on the entire team. The opportunity to do so might present itself when you next play against the ex player at his new club, if they acted disrespectfully towards their old team. I doubt TAA would ever do that anyway.
Outside the EPL, I’ve been lucky enough to have time spare to watch all of the EFL play off games so far. They’ve all been enjoyable and memorable for differing reasons and I hope to get along to Wembley as a neutral to see at least one final.