Key events
Newcastle play Brentford and Eddie Howewith his team in 11th, is coming under a modicum of fire. He’s been carrying out his press duties this morning: “I think naturally you can lose focus on the games that we’ve had. Paris, Liverpool and Man City for any team away from home in a really short period of time – all back off three-game, six-day weeks, so the lads were going into them not in the best physical condition – for any team that will be difficult.
“Watching those games, the scorelines look pretty bad but I think the games were very different, all could have been different. We have to acknowledge that and we have to protect the confidence of the players because if you carry that baggage into the next game then that can be difficult.”
Howe defended Anthony Elanga, too. Elanga got the consolation goal against Manchester City: ““He has done a load of good things that could have led to goals but I was just really pleased that he got the reward of the goal. I am delighted for him and hope it is the start of many. There is no doubting his ability, so it’s a really good thing for him.”
Slot praises Wirtz’s ‘biggest improvement’
Slot has praised Florian Wirtz, who has been in great form of late:
“I think it’s all, first and foremost, always credit to the player because he has to do the work not only on the pitch, also in the gym. And then as a manager, even if he is maybe physically struggling a little bit in the start, you need to keep on playing him because that’s the only way players can improve.
“He is an example of that where I had many of them this season. So, I think he did not even improve that much on the ball because from the start he was special on the ball.”
“Maybe now he has a better connection with his team-mates because he played more and more together. That’s also what you get if you play them more and more together. But off the ball I see the biggest improvement with him and with some others.
“That combination makes you ready for the Premier League, because the Premier League is about both. It’s not only on the ball, it’s also definitely off the ball.”
Looking ahead to Liverpool v Manchester City, Arne Slot seems to be getting his excuses in early.
James Milner, should he play for Brighton against Crystal Palace on Sunday, will equal Gareth Barry’s all-time Premier League appearance record of 653. His debut was on 10 November 2002, as Leeds beat West Ham 4-3. Milner replaced Jason Wilcox – whatever happened to him? –
Interesting stat via Opta: “Also featuring in Milner’s debut game was Nigel Winterburn for West Ham. Winterburn was born in 1963 and made his own top-flight debut the same year Milner was born.”
He’s played for 21 managers, and is, of course, seven years older than current boss Fabian Hurzeler. Milner was 52 years younger than Bobby Robson, who he played for at Newcastle. The boy from Horsforth, a small town on the edge of Leeds, passed his 40th birthday last month.
Let’s start with Cristiano Ronaldo41 on Thursday, who has caused some turmoil at his club, Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo is reported to be discontented with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) for failing to invest in the team in the winter window while rivals Al-Hilal – also 75% majority-owned by the PIF – brought in his former Real Madrid teammate Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad.
Preamble
Here we go, as the song goes. The Premier League turbine keeps turning, and here comes a weekend that kicks off at Elland Road this evening, and concludes with Liverpool v Manchester City, a meeting of the two formerly dominant teams when both are at a crossroads.
Friday 6 February
Leeds United v Nottingham Forest, 8pm
Saturday 7 February
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, 12.30pm
Bournemouth v Aston Villa, 3pm
Arsenal v Sunderland, 3pm
Burnley v West Ham, 3pm
Fulham v Everton, 3pm
Wolves at Chelsea, 3pm
Newcastle United v Brentford. 5.30pm
Sunday 8 February
Brighton v Crystal Palace, 2pm
Liverpool v Manchester City, 4.30pm
Lots of other stories from round the world of football to follow. Join us.
