On the ball – guess the footballer
The Guardian has kicked off a new chapter in puzzles with the launch of its first daily football game, On the ball. It is now live in the app for both iOS and Android … so what are you waiting for?
Key events
That’s all from me for now – Barry Glendenning is stepping in.
Ange continues, on Forest’s travails. What is the plan and style he’s trying to implement?
“I’d be surprised if anyone hasn’t seen a change. Results to one side … There is plenty of evidence that we have changed fundamentally the way we go about things, in terms of the way we set up, the possession we have, the chances we create, how aggressive we are with and without the ball. That’s always a work in progress, and we are still in a stage of discovery around players …
“I would be very surprised if anyone thought it would be an overnight sort of thing. But because results haven’t followed there’s a question mark …
“I’ve always felt results are the paramount thing. I wouldn’t get the team to play the way I want unless I thought it would win games of football. That’s why I set up the team the way I do. I never sacrifice a result to develop a playing style … how quickly I implement things, that slows down as a process [when results are bad].
“It’s our lack of focus in key moments. Maybe that’s a consequence of the change in everything?”
“It’s raw and fresh,” Postecoglou says of last night’s European defeat for Forest. “We’ve reviewed it and given feedback to the players. That’s the reality of football … it’s really important we start to prepare for a difficult game on Sunday [Newcastle on Sunday].
“We are not dealing with key moments in games really well. We conceded a poor goal from a set-piece [last night] … we’re having to chase games a fair bit.
“While again, we are creating opportunities, we’re not being as ruthless as we can be to see out games. It’s a combination of things we need to fix.”
Set pieces seem to be a big problem?
“It was disappointing last night … I wasn’t happy at half-time. In the second half they had six or seven more set-pieces and didn’t get “first contact” on any of them. We didn’t change anything, it was just a change of mindset.”
Does he feel under pressure going into the international break?
“Look, I get it. It’s a valid sort of assumption in modern football that there is always a a manager under pressure. That is just part and parcel of what we do – but I don’t think that way.
“Put it this way. I knew I was going to get sacked at Tottenham three or four months before I did. And that didn’t stop me winning something.”
Ruben Amorim is asked why Manchester United fans should keep the faith, given ongoing poor form and results.
“It’s not time to say,” he says. “It’s time to show. I can look at the games in this year [season], for me, they are completely are different. There are some things that are the same … it’s other things we cannot change.
“We show “that thing” in certain games. In certain games we are not the same team in certain details. I have nothing to say in this moment. My job is to prepare the team, and let’s go for the next game.”
“It’s a crazy world we are living in at the moment,” says the United manager, Ruben Amorim, of yesterday’s deadly attack on the synagogue in Manchester.
“A lot of these things happening. Of course our sympathy for the victims. We will pay tribute to the victims tomorrow. But it’s a crazy world in this moment.”
Amorim’s side host Sunderland at 3pm.
The Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso has recalled midfielder Bryan Cristante for this month’s World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Israel, but Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa has again been left out. Per Reuters …
Gattuso has included the uncapped Fiorentina midfielder Hans Nicolussi Caviglia and Bologna forward Nicolo Cambiaghi, along with Milan defender Matteo Gabbia.
Cristante has played 43 times for Italy, but the Roma player has not been a part of the current campaign, with his last cap coming at Euro 2024. Chiesa’s last cap also came at Euro 2024 and, while the winger has only come off the bench in the Premier League this season, he has scored twice for Liverpool.
Italy have won both games since Gattuso took over, a 5-0 thumping of Estonia last month followed by a dramatic 5-4 win over Israel. The Italians face those two sides again as they bid to reach the World Cup having missed the last two tournaments. Norway top Group I with 15 points, six ahead of Italy who have a game in hand.
Israel are level on nine points with the Italians and have played a game more. The group winners qualify automatically, with the runners-up going into the playoffs. Italy are away to Estonia on October 11 and host Israel three days later in Udine.
Tomorrow is Arteta’s 300th game in charge of Arsenal.
“All I can say is thank you. I enjoy every minute of it. I hope many more to come.”
What would make the next 300 games a success?
“Even with this win-rate [over 50% during Arteta’s tenure] we haven’t won major trophies. This level is not enough. That is what we will try to focus on doing.”
Arsenal injury update: “We weren’t too concerned about Gabriel,” Arteta says of the defender who was withdrawn against Olympiaco. “That hasn’t changed.
“Hincapie will be available after the international break … this [game] came too fast.”
Is he proud of England manager Thomas Tuchel praised Myles Lewis-Skelly? Yes! He is!
“Very much. Coming from Thomas, someone I know very well, for him to describe Myles in that way – credit to his family, to the boy, everyone involved with his development …
“He is professional in the way he engages with the team, you can always count on him.”
Arteta is here! The Gunners are playing West Ham tomorrow.
Will Unwin
Ange Postecoglou is yet to taste success, becoming the first Forest head coach in a century to fail to win any of their first six games. There was a poisonous atmosphere at the City Ground on Thursday night as they succumbed to the second-best team in Denmark. When supporters are calling for your sacking after 23 days, it is fair to say things are not going well. On Friday, though, there were no plans to dismiss Postecoglou.
Please, please, please send me an email.
Postecoglou. Arteta. Moyes. All these legends and more still to come.
The best moment from Pep’s press conference had to be this, though:
Reporter: “Rodri came off the other night, and you conceded that late equaliser.”
Pep: “Are you suggesting they scored because Nico González was in the pitch and not Rodri? How do you know that?”
Reporter: “I can’t prove it.”
Pep: “Me neither. So, change the subject.”
Classically snippy Pep!
Re: today’s hot topic. I felt Postecoglou was a bizarre appointment for Forest given Tottenham’s Premier League struggles last season. From what I’ve seen recently (a bit of the defeat by Sunderland and a bit of last night’s debacle) Forest are attacking in incredibly predictable fashion, are relatively easy to defend against, and have basically fallen apart as a defensive unit. It’s all a long way from the glory days of last season.
Mikel Arteta of “The Arsenal” is said to be speaking at 1.15pm. They play West Ham tomorrow at 3pm.
Thanks John. Hi everyone. I also caught Pep’s press conference before Brentford v Manchester City on Sunday. He was asked if he watched the Ryder Cup last weekend?
“Oh yeah. What a Sunday. First of all congratulations to Luke Donald and his guys. It’s not easy to beat the USA in New York. But oh God, last day, everybody was thinking … [the USA could come back].
“I listened to an interview with Shane Lowry. He said it was “the worst six hours of my life”. If they say that, after playing the Masters, Opens, US Opens and everything … The Ryder Cup is like that.
“They [the European team] play against incredible, top players. But they were resilient. I was surprised. That’s a sporting lesson: It’s done when it’s done. You lose the Premier League when you lose the Premier League. Not before. You win, you win it. Otherwise anything can happen. Sport is so difficult. But really pleased that Europe showed character again and they could win.”
Chance now to hand over the blog duties to Luke McLaughlin. Plenty of pressers to come this afternoon.
Will Unwin
Manchester United will hold a minute’s silence and the players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect after the terrorist attack at a synagogue in the city on Thursday.
Pep Guardiola is speaking ahead of that Brentford game for Manchester City. The subject falls to Phil Foden’s absence from the England squad soon enough.
“Thomas knows what he needs for the national team a thousand time, million times, trillion times better than me. All I can say that if Phil continues playing like he is playing then he will be back. I am happy that players go to the national team, but I am even more happy when they come back healthy, that’s for sure.”
Guardiola on the new Brentford: “Quite similar with Thomas Frank. They are doing really well so it is a tough place to go, Brentford, and always has been. At the same time, we are looking forward to the last game before the international break and will do what we have to do.”
On the ball – guess the footballer
The Guardian has kicked off a new chapter in puzzles with the launch of its first daily football game, On the ball. It is now live in the app for both iOS and Android … so what are you waiting for?
Jacob Steinberg
There are no plans for a minute’s silence to be held before this weekend’s Premier League and English Football League fixtures as a mark of respect for the victims of Thursday’s terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester. Individual clubs are able to organise tributes if they wish to do so but there has been no directive from the leagues.
The Football Association is yet to clarify whether there will be a tribute before England’s men play Wales in a friendly at Wembley next Thursday.
Brentford face Manchester City on Sunday. Here’s a piece on how Keith Andrews is going so far as their rookie manager.
Eddie Howe has confirmed that Yoane Wissa will be absent for some time yet with the injury he sustained when playing for DR Congo: ““Yoane saw a specialist again yesterday for a check-up on his knee. We probably think now it’ll be eight weeks rather than six. No recurrence or problem, just slightly longer.”
Rodrigo Bentancur has signed a new deal to stay at Tottenham.
The Uruguay international joined Spurs at the start of 2022 from Juventus.
He said: “I feel really good and I’m very happy to continue my story with this fantastic club. My family are happy; I have fantastic friends and team-mates who work hard every day. I love this club and feel really good here. Winning the Europa League was a fantastic moment and we want to build on this now, to win more trophies.
“We have a new head coach, a new captain (Cristian Romero) and I want to enjoy many more years at the club.”
More Tuchel, who is showing off the difficulties of having so many players to choose from:
“Phil Foden is in a very good moment. Adam Wharton deserves to be with us. Curtis Jones and Trevoh Chalobah are getting minutes with their clubs. There are players who deserve to be here. Cole Palmer is injured who is a special player. It will always be like this.”
“What happens if Jude Bellingham or Cole Palmer get injured before a World Cup? We have to find solutions and I think we have in the last camp. This is more about last camp and what we started to build rather than the dependency on individual players.
“Declan Rice, John Stones, Harry Kane – we can have influential injuries. You can never depend on one player.”
Here’s a statement on the World Cup ticket prices from England’s Football Supporters Association (FSA). Thomas Concannon, who leads the FSA’s England Fans’ Embassy, said:
These prices are astonishing – $2,000 for the cheapest final ticket is unacceptable. If fans are successful in obtaining a category four ticket from the first game to the last, that could set them back $3,180 at least. That is more than double what Qatar cost.
Combined with travel to the Americas and accommodation, this will be the most expensive World Cup for matchgoing fans we’ve ever seen by some distance. A healthy allocation of the lowest category of tickets should be made available to participating nations that are not affected by host city location or dynamic pricing. Additionally, participating nation tickets should be located in key areas directly behind the goals to provide the best possible backing to their teams. We’d urge the FA to work with other nations around the world to put pressure on Fifa to keep this World Cup financially accessible for matchgoing fans.”
More from Tuchel: “Bellingham always deserves to be in the camp” but “he has not fully gathered his rhythm at Real Madrid and has only started one match so is not back to full strength.”
“There is also no problem between me and Jack Grealish and me and Phil Foden.
“Phil is back influencing and deciding games for Manchester City. Jack is very close to being back to the best version of himself.
“There is no personal problem.
“These were not awkward conversations [with players]. They were straightforward conversations.
“The last camp was only three and a half weeks ago and the team work and spirit was on the highest level. That is why we decided to invite the same group to this camp.
“There are players out who deserve to be with us and they can get back in through performance. This is the best and most straightforward decision.”
“To just be a good citizen in camp will not be enough,” says Tuchel, in relation to Myles Lewis-Skelly. “We accelerated his career.”
“There are some players who deserve to be with us,” says Tuchel, who has praised Foden, Grealish and Wharton. He’s decided to keep largely the same squad as “they deserve to be in camp”.
Press conference with Thomas Tuchel.
Thomas Tuchel says Jude Bellingham has not been called up because he lacks “rhythm” due to a lack of games. “He wanted to be called up, he just lacks rhythm.”
How long will Russell Martin last? Rangers lost 2-1 to Sturm Graz, and he had this to say.
“The difference from the first half-hour to the next 60 minutes was too far apart really,” the head coach said. “It’s concentration, it’s mentality.
“I’m frustrated because we give away two poor goals, soft goals. We did so much work on them recently. We were just not alive. We hurt ourselves because they didn’t create anything from open play. It’s hurtful and frustrating.”
Antony on ‘rudeness’ of Manchester United
Some scathing words for someone or other at Manchester United from Antony, their former winger, now at Real Betis.
Antony was speaking to ESPN Brasil: “I’m not the kind of guy who gets involved in controversies, who names people, in fact, I won’t mention anyone’s name here.
“But I think there was a bit of a lack of respect there, even a bit of rudeness too, with no one giving you a ‘good morning’, a ‘good afternoon’.
“Not even that. But, anyway, that’s in the past, I won’t give much importance to these things. Now I’m here, at Betis, I’m living here, that’s the most important thing for me. I am a man who accepts my responsibilities. I think off-field matters affected me a lot, in my performance. I know my potential, I know my qualities, I didn’t play in a World Cup for nothing, I didn’t return to the national team for nothing.
“I also take responsibility for it not working out, for not performing as I wanted. But I always try to see the bright side of things, going through this entire process, this time at United, was necessary to see myself.”
Another international manager with his selections being questioned is Mauricio Pochettino for the USMNT.
Here’s Jacob Steinberg’s snap report on that Tuchel selection.
Thomas Tuchel is due to speak at 11am. No Bellingham, no Foden, no Grealish, no Wharton. Some explaining to do?
Noni Madueke and Tino Livramento are both missing with injury. From the last squad, Jarell Quansah and Bukayo Saka come in.
England squad is here – no Bellingham, no Foden
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Milan), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Ben Fisher has been speaking to a key summer signing for Bournemouth, who appear to be even better than last season.
Arne Slot has admitted: “We need to do better.”
He’s been speaking about Alexander Isak: “I said to him when he started, the difficult thing will be you will have the appearances, but if you add the minutes together he will only have two or three appearances. That’s a situation we had from him, not training at Newcastle. But he still has a goal. The main thing is him adjusting to his new team-mates and his new team-mates adjusting to him.”
Postecoglou safe – for now
Will Unwin
As of 9am this morning, Nottingham Forest had no plans to sack Ange Postecoglou but the unpredictable nature of the club and its owner Evangelos Marinakis means that things can change quickly. The fans made their voices known on Thursday, calling for the exit of the man who replaced an East Midlands hero and it is difficult to turn the tide once that happens.
Postecoglou is Marinakis’ man, the owner having lined him up long before Nuno Espirito Santo was sent packing. Everyone at Forest expected a period of transition but to be winless in six matches and losing at home to Sunderland and Midtjylland were not part of the thoughts when he arrived last month. The Australian was always going to change the style but he has his way of playing, which is very different to his predecessor, so there is an acceptance that these things take time. Patience, however, is not a trait often seen at Forest. The next three Premier League games are against Newcastle, Chelsea and Bournemouth, so things are not going to get easier for Postecoglou.
Alisson out for Liverpool
Arne Slot has been speaking to the media:
“Alisson is not part of the squad tomorrow and he won’t travel to Brazil for the national team. Hugo [Ekitike] is going to train again today, let’s see where he is. The same can be said for Frederico [Chiesa]. It depends on how fast the recovery goes.
“I will be surprised if he [Alisson] will be there for the first game after the international break. From there on things can go a bit faster a bit slower. It’s difficult to say. I’m not a doctor so I cannot tell you if it is the same injury.”
Giorgi Mamardashvili will play instead of Alisson.
“I think we’ve seen against Southampton how well he’s adjusted. We knew we were bringing in a very good goalkeeper. When he plays his first game that’s a way of seeing he’s adjusted really well to our club. It’s not a surprise because he’s a quality goalkeeper. Now he can do what we’ve had to do so many times in the past replacing Alisson, like we’ve done so many times before.”
Here’s our usual lookahead, including to tonight’s game at Bournemouth.
Unbeaten in the league since their Friday night opener at Anfield, Bournemouth’s early momentum has been stalled by consecutive draws: at home to Newcastle and at Leeds last week. Fulham visit the Vitality on Friday, offering Andoni Iraola’s side a presentable chance of recapturing winning ways and going second in the table. After a turbulent summer, Iraola has sought consistency in his team selection. Trailing 2-1 at Leeds, the Bournemouth manager made a triple change to restore three usual starters – David Brooks, Alex Scott and Marcus Tavernier – to his XI and was rewarded with a late leveller. Bournemouth have also maintained defensive stability, conceding just once in four games between the trips to Liverpool and Leeds. Marcos Senesi, often playing in an otherwise brand-new back five, has been key to the team’s continuity. The centre-back earned praise from Iraola for his defensive work and threat at attacking set-pieces – as evidenced by his headed assist for Eli Junior Kroupi’s equaliser at Elland Road. Niall McVeigh
It was a good night for the other English clubs in Europe. And a bad night for the Scottish clubs.
Ben Fisher was at the City Ground last night to see the fans turn on Big Ange.
The scenes were close to extraordinary on a sobering evening, thousands of home supporters singing: “You’re getting sacked in the morning.” Then the same fans twisted the knife a little deeper, singing the name of his predecessor Nuno Espírito Santo, with several turning towards Evangelos Marinakis, the owner watching on with his own giant private television in the directors’ box. This made for grim viewing.
Preamble
All is not well at Nottingham Forest. In fact, it’s not working out at all for Ange Postecoglou. Being barracked after six games is going some. Such is the wisdom of sacking a folk hero in Nuno. We’ll have reaction to that, and the rest of the Europa action ahead of a full Premier League weekend.
Friday
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Sunday
