“A little week like that is perfect really, training, sun and a bit of relaxation to switch off from football for a few days,” said Callum Wilson of Newcastle’s warm weather training camp in March, a break the Magpies embarked on after three wins in 10 Premier League games, with a run of six wins from seven commencing since their return. And Pep Guardiola is using it with increasing frequency to help fuel this trophy pursuit. It’s all or nothing with that partnership, but the far former more often than not. Both have scored in six of those matches and neither have scored in three (0-0 v Dortmund in October 0-1 v Spurs in February 3-0 v Sheffield United in April).

What a phenomenal job O’Neil has done.Įrling Haaland and Julian Alvarez have started nine games together for Manchester City, in which they have scored 11 and eight goals respectively. Sorry, those who used to be around them they are now behind Chelsea on goal difference alone. The Cherries have picked up 2.11 points per match against the sides from 16th to 20th, basing their survival bid on beating the teams around them. Moises Caicdeo, Alexis MacAllister, Kaoru Mitoma and Evan Ferguson played 84 combined minutes against Wolves and will all stay for the 2025/26 Treble if they know what’s good for them.Īfter explaining how he was “disappointed that we didn’t put the game to bed” and “let me enjoy the last 20 minutes by scoring a couple more” in the 1-0 win over Southampton, Gary O’Neil must have been delighted that Leeds were tucked in nice and tight with third and fourth goals in the final half an hour of a 4-1 victory.īournemouth are suddenly 10 points clear of relegation. The biggest win in Brighton’s top-flight history, a victory which keeps them in a strong position for European qualification, and one secured with none of their four most in-demand assets starting.

It’s just that the poker expert plays his hand considerably better than everyone else. Don’t get it wrong: they operate with the same advantages and constraints as any other club outside the gilded elite. In this current era of perennial football ownership angst, it is a wonder just how simple Tony Bloom and Brighton have made it look.

But Leeds are sliding towards the abyss as a ‘broken’ club in the ‘sh*t’. Brighton and Bournemouth are booming, while Callum Wilson predicted his brilliance.

The Bighead by Erik Wilson