10:25
Thanks Luke. So, where do we stand on Ole Gunnar Solskjær? He seems to lurch from triumph to disaster an awful lot. Sometimes he looks comfortable at the wheel but often he gives the impression he shouldn’t be anywhere near it.
Here’s Jamie Jackson to throw some more light on it all…
And that will be all from me … I’ll hand you over to David Tindall, who’ll keep the football news coming. Bye for now.
10:09
Ole Gunnar Solskjær, Manchester United manager, is speaking right now. He’s asked about Paul Pogba, who impressed in that 5-0 drubbing of RB Leipzig: “Paul can do everything … he can play long passes, he can get in the box, he can play combinations outside the box. We love to see it when he’s driving forward, affecting the game … it’s about getting fitness, getting the sharpness back.”
On squad depth: “At the moment we are looking like a Man United squad. I’ve got opportunities, I’ve got competition for places, and any successful team in modern football is able to rotate. That’s the only way in this league which is so intense, and in Europe.”
On Fred: “Fred has incredible attributes and we are seeing the better side of him definitely. I think he played a fantastic season last season … he works really hard … it’s in his genes to always want to improve and look at his own performance.”
On his 100th game in charge: “Arsenal is always going to be difficult with a very good team, a very good manager who has some great ideas on how football should be played. I am really suprised actually it’s my 100th game [in charge of Manchester United] … it’s gone really quickly even though a lot has happened. I hope I’m celebrating a victory.”
Updated
10:06
SaintGeorge2012 comments –
“Whilst some of the scores have been astounding at the start of this season, it is not unusual, for the ‘big six’ to be spread through the table at this time after six games. It is on a weekend like this they normally start to assert themselves, with all having winnable games. There is always the hype about them failing but unfortunately by February the table normally has a very predictable look. It would be nice if this season was the start of something different, but it is most unlikely.”
09:58
“I had to channel that anger into the game. I feel I would have been given a proper chance to prove myself if I was playing now but that shows how far we have come.”
Dave Busby, Brighton & Hove Albion’s first black player who made his debut as a 17-year-old in 1973, talks about the discrimination and abuse he suffered during his football career in this interview on the club website.
Brighton & Hove Albion
(@OfficialBHAFC)👇 Albion’s first black player Dave Busby says he might have had an even better career had he played in the current era, where there is zero tolerance of racist abuse.#BlackHistoryMonth#BHAFC 🔵⚪️
Updated
09:37
It’s all good news for Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace on the fitness front for tonight’s trip to Wolves.
From the horse’s mouth, cpfc.co.uk: “James McCarthy has returned to training this week, plus Gary Cahill and James Tomkins are fully fit for the Wolves game.
“Furthermore, following positive Covid-19 tests, Jordan Ayew and Jack Butland are both available and amongst the squad following their periods of self-isolation.”
Updated
09:31
Diego Maradona is 60 today! Happy Birthday to the greatest ever.
Here’s Emmet Gates on six of his greatest goals for Napoli:
If you missed any of last night’s Europa League action, naturally, we’ve got you covered.
Arsenal joy:
Tottenham woe:
And a round-up, featuring Celtic, Rangers and many more:
Updated
As reported last night by Jacob Steinberg, Michail Antonio of West Ham looks set to be out for a month with the hamstring injury he sustained in last weekend’s draw against Manchester City.
That leaves David Moyes short of attacking options for tomorrow’s trip to Liverpool and beyond:
Updated
Fulham don’t face West Bromwich Albion until Monday evening but the Cottagers boss Scott Parker got his pre-match press conference in early doors, speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon ahead of what looks to be a good old-fashioned relegation battle six-pointer, even at this early stage of the season.
“We sit on one point, West Brom sit on three, and there are other teams who are in and around it down there, so of course this is a huge game for us … Every game is massive for us, but this one has got a little bit extra,” Parker said.
09:11
Before his side’s meeting with Palace this evening, Wolves manager Nuno Espírito Santo has joined the chorus of criticism over the current pay-per-view charges in place for certain top-flight matches.
“They should find a better solution,” Nuno is quoted as saying, via Reuters. “Unfortunately we don’t have the perfect one, so let’s hope the intention is there. I think that’s the only thing that can help us. What I see is from the numbers that the fans are not engaging to what’s happening now.”
The Premier League says the PPV scheme has been extended to matches on Nov. 6-8. “In consultation with clubs, all elements of the pay-per-view service, including the price, will be reviewed ahead of Premier League matches returning after the international break later next month,” it said.
09:04
Preamble
Good morning and a warm welcome to our weekend football countdown, in which we’ll bring you team news, press conference quotes and all the latest news ahead of this weekend’s football action.
Wolverhampton Wanderers host Crystal Palace tonight, kicking off the seventh week of Premier League fixtures, while Coventry take on Reading in the Championship.
Sheffield United host Manchester City tomorrow, before Burnley v Chelsea, with the champions Liverpool in action against West Ham in the evening kick-off. On Sunday in the top flight, it’s Aston Villa v Southampton and Newcastle v Everton before the bona fide Super Sunday clash of Manchester United and Arsenal, who both won handsomely in Europe this week. Spurs v Brighton rounds off Sunday’s menu before Fulham v West Brom and Leeds v Leicester on Monday.
Leaders Everton set the pace at this early stage in the Premier League, against many people’s pre-season expectations, and with Aston Villa and Leeds United also in the top six, it will be interesting to see if those somewhat less-fancied sides can continue their impressive starts to the campaign this weekend. Let’s start with 10 things to look out for in the Premier League this weekend:
Updated