The only thing I would say about all the “Arsenal don’t have the highest wage bill” is that clubs based in the North have to pay more to get players in than London based clubs. So it’s more misleading than it looks initially. There is a lot to admire about them as a club however with the way they have only had five managers in 40 years, brought through academy players, been self sustaining etc.
Middlesbrough have been approached by fellow Championship clubs who harbour suspicions that their pre-match training sessions may also have been spied on by Southampton - Guardian. West Ham will lodge a formal complaint with the PGMOL over the disallowed goal that has pushed them closer to relegation and helped swing the title race in favour of Arsenal - The Times
Except they also whine like hell except when they feeling sheepish (Like yesterday) and kept a player under investigation for rape on the pitch for years using legal loopholes. They just as flawed as ebeyine club in the PL.
A better option than VAR? Scrap VAR and decide all marginal calls with an animal being given the choice of one of two treats. Show it on big screen. Imagine the atmosphere as they bring out the hamster. The knowledge your team could be relegated if it opts for the wrong pumpkin seed. The roar as it feasts— The Iain Duncan Smiths (@TheIDSmiths) May 11, 2026
I think if the post match review’s find any error occurred yesterday VAR’s future will surely be in doubt.
FA Statement "Reports have reached us that Nimbles the hamster has received death threats on social media. This is totally unacceptable and must stop"
🚨 Chelsea exploring deal to appoint Xabi Alonso as next head coach. 44yo former #RMFC boss understood to be open to possibility, although nothing decided yet as process continues. Andoni Iraola also strong contender ahead of departing #AFCB @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/39GzR6Z1Nc— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) May 11, 2026
I'm a big supporter of the play-offs in general and definitely don't want them scrapped, but under the new expansion we're going to get a situation in the future where a team that finished 3rd on 80+ points loses to a team that finished 8th on 60-odd points. Ridiculous that the EFL are taking them in this direction.
Look at the National League playoffs. Rochdale went up eventually, but needed an injury time equaliser and penalties to get promoted. They finished on 106 points, 16 clear of Boreham Wood, who they beat in the final, and 25 ahead of the lowest qualifying team. I like how the IPL playoffs work. 4 qualify - top seed hosts 2nd seed, 3rd seed hosts 4th seed. Winners of the first match advance to the final. Loser plays the winner of the second match, while the loser of the second match is eliminated. Gives a second chance to the higher ranked teams. All games are sudden death, so again seeding gives home advantage and provides more drama than two leg match ups.
We'll be in League One before we get anywhere near 8th again Rover. Can't see us not being in a relegation battle anytime soon. I'd definitely entertain a restructuring like that. You see in American sports (NBA mainly) what prioritising the playoffs to such a great degree does to the value of the main portion of the season. It completely kills the league campaign.
You can do it similarly with 6 teams (although I think 4 is enough), and this gives the top 2 a clear advantage which they've earned from the league.
I would like to see the third or fourth bottom have to play be in the playoffs rather than the 8th placed team
Xabi Alonso has emerged as the front-runner for the Chelsea job in a move that indicates the club are willing to cede more power to the manager over recruitment - The i.
The Premier League is to reject widening the scope of VAR next season after talks with the refereeing body Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO) - The Guardian. Getting closer to it being axed.
I think Southampton realise they're in real trouble. Latest statement from the club - https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/a-message-from-ceo-phil-parsons-2026 If this was just a one off, then it would already be confirmed internally. This reads that they know it's happened multiple times and are looking at how to present this while also stalling for time.
The EFL will be praying for a Boro win tonight. I don't expect them to make a big call when put on the spot but they're going to get pelters for it.
Definitely. I'm leaning slightly towards them being booted out though, regardless of the result. They'd only have to deal with any complaints from Southampton in that scenario. If they allow them to progress, they win the final and it turns out they've been doing it for months then they'll be dealing with Hull, Boro, Wrexham, and others.
Scotland’s women are playing their home fixture against Israel in Hungary. I’ve been predicting this will cause a big debate in Scotland and in England. Let’s see if it does. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c1j2w09rlwxo