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Showing posts with the label The Big Discussion

Harry Kane is getting better with age

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Harry Kane’s best chance yet to claim football’s biggest individual honour Earlier this year, Harry Kane finally ended his long wait for silverware in the 15th season of his professional career, as Bayern Munich were crowned Bundesliga champions.  Author |  Peter Grainger The long-awaited triumph paved the way for the England striker to target even greater prizes for club, country and himself. Ballon d’Or ambitions reignited Despite being in the finest form of his career, Kane ranked only 13th at the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards in September and has never finished higher than 10th in the prestigious vote. Yet since Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane DembĂ©lĂ© was crowned the world’s best player in Paris last month, Kane appears to have reached another level entirely. Now 32, he took his tally for the season to 20 goals in just 12 appearances across all competitions as Bayern swept aside Club Brugge 4-0 in the Champions League. Kane knows that if he maintains this relentless scoring r...

Are Liverpool and Arne Slot missing Trent Alexander-Arnold?

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That headline is the question that Liverpool fans have been asking since the start of the campaign. After cruising to the Premier League title last season, Liverpool strengthened their squad with some of Europe’s most sought-after talent. Author |  William G Arne Slot’s side spent around £416.2m during the summer, more than any other club, with Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike among the headline arrivals at Anfield. The season had started relatively well despite relying on some later winners in their first few matches. However, it has started to go wrong. Despite sitting third in the table, Liverpool head into Sunday’s meeting with Manchester United on the back of three consecutive defeats in all competitions, prompting fresh scrutiny of Slot’s team. READ MORE |   Head to Super Local Sports News for more reaction to Liverpool's clash with Man United While new signings often need time to settle, the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid appear...

England explore back-up options for Harry Kane

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The England manager considers Harry Kane alternatives Thomas Tuchel is assessing options ahead of the friendly against Wales after Kane suffered an injury, though with World Cup qualification likely, the absence is not seen as critical. Author |  William G Kane's influence on the team is clear. The captain has scored a record 74 goals in 109 appearances, while the rest of the squad has combined for 53. Since his debut in 2015, Kane has contributed 26.4% of England’s goals, with Raheem Sterling, last capped at the 2022 World Cup, the only other player to reach 20 goals. Ollie Watkins In Tuchel’s squad, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is the most likely candidate to step in. Watkins frequently replaced Kane from the bench during last summer’s Euros, including scoring the winner against the Netherlands in the semi-finals. He has five goals in 19 caps but has managed only one goal for Villa this season. A memorable moment for Ollie Watkins and England... pic.twitter.com/ueEePB0R1F —...

Five managers in four years | Why do Rangers keep getting it wrong?

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Another season. Another sacking of a Rangers manager. Why do they keep getting it wrong and how can they avoid making same mistakes again? Author | Mark Lee With champagne dripping from his hair and a 2020-21 Scottish Premiership winner's medal around his neck, then manager Steven Gerrard urged Rangers to "fix the roof while the sun is shining". Four years on, the roof remains in disrepair and the sunshine has long faded. Since that title triumph, Rangers have gone through four managers: Gerrard, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale and Philippe Clement, before reaching Martin. Under Van Bronckhorst, the club came agonisingly close to European glory, losing the Europa League final on penalties before lifting the Scottish Cup days later. He departed with Rangers nine points adrift of Celtic the following season. Beale and Clement both started brightly but their tenures quickly unravelled. Beale was dismissed with Rangers seven points behind Celtic; Clement’s side we...

Best ever starts to a Premier League season

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In terms of results, Liverpool have had a perfect start to their league campaign  Let's explore some more impressive starts to Premier League seasons. Author | William G Pre match at Liverpool v Arsenal | August 2025 "It's a marathon not a sprint..." is a famous old saying that sometimes applies to a Premier campaign. Here are some examples of very impressive starts to seasons. Not all of them were champions in May.  Chelsea (2005–06) | Nine Consecutive Wins Chelsea set the benchmark with a flawless start to the 2005–06 season, securing nine consecutive victories. Under JosĂ© Mourinho , the team dominated early matches, defeating clubs like Wigan Athletic , Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur . Their streak culminated in a 5–1 triumph over Bolton Wanderers . Although their momentum was briefly halted by a draw against Everton , they went on to clinch the title with an eight-point lead over Manchester United. Liverpool (2019–20) | Eight Wins Liverpool 's 2019–20 campaig...

England’s greatest World Cup qualifiers

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What has been the best England World Cup qualifier? Let's explore some memorable moments from this stage of the competition. Author | Mark Lee England's recent qualifier against Andorra wasn't exactly a classic Of course, qualifying for the World Cup should be the absolute minimum for England. However, there have been some classic moments along the way. Italy 0 - 0 England | Qualification is secured England only needed a point from their final match to qualify for the following summer's World Cup. Easier said than done when that final match is Italy away.  A battling and sometimes heroic display from the Three Lions earned them a 0-0 draw and qualification was secured. Not a lot of flair from the attacking players but the point was well deserved. Watch some of the highlights from the game in the video below. Germany 1 - 5 England | Even Heskey scored Germany had beaten England at the start of the end of the qualifying campaign. A disappointing end to the reign of ...

Article update | The fight for the soul of Manchester United

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This article was initially published by United fan Ben Heath in 2023... Following recent events, we thought it needed a refresh Author | Olivia T This now reflects changes to the club, including the changes made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. 

How does new signing Cunha fit into Manchester United's plans?

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A pivotal summer begins for Manchester United Manchester United enter the summer on the back of a bruising Europa League final defeat and one of their worst-ever Premier League campaigns.  Author | Liam C Under new head coach RĂşben Amorim, the club faces a defining transfer window, one that could shape their trajectory for the next few years. Maybe even the next decade. Amorim has not shied away from speaking plainly about the scale of the task ahead. United are in urgent need of a reset, and this time, they cannot afford missteps. If the Portuguese coach is to succeed with his preferred 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 formation, the club must fully support him in the market. So where should they begin? Signing Matheus Cunha would be a strong statement of intent. The Brazilian forward was Wolverhampton Wanderers’ standout performer last season, combining work rate with end product. More importantly, he could help solve United’s long-standing attacking problems. United have struggled for goals a...

Was this season's new Champions League format a success?

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A closer look at this season's Champions League and its new format Paris Saint-Germain have secured their first Champions League title, bringing to a close a season marked by the most dramatic revamp of the competition in more than 30 years. Author | Peter Grainger Inter Milan fans in the Champions League semi-final Since the introduction of the group stage in 1991–92, the tournament had largely followed a familiar pattern: teams placed in groups of four, facing each other home and away before progressing to a knockout stage. This season broke from tradition. Under the new format, 36 teams took part in a single league phase. Each club played eight matches against eight different opponents, four at home and four away. The league phase concluded at the end of January, followed by the usual knockout rounds. But the question remains: did it work? PSG will say it did. The French champions lifted the trophy in Munich despite finishing 15th in the league phase and having to come throu...

A history of festive football in the UK

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 We love festive football The festive period is one of the most cherished times in the football calendar for fans across the United Kingdom.  Author - Liam C A throwback to a classic Boxing Day encounter at Old Trafford While many sports wind down for a winter break or a period of rest, football thrives, with packed schedules offering an array of fixtures. It’s a tradition steeped in history, filled with drama, and laden with nostalgia that connects generations of supporters. We'll explore how festive football became such an integral part of the beautiful game in Britain.  The origins of Christmas football The roots of festive football date back to the late 19th century, shortly after the formation of the Football League in 1888. During this era, Christmas and Boxing Day matches became a fixture in the footballing calendar. With industrialisation transforming the country, football offered working-class communities an escape from their gruelling daily lives, and the ho...

Can anyone stop Celtic in Scotland?

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 It’s a question every top-flight manager, and some beyond, must be wrestling with.  And if the answer seems elusive, a bigger question arises that is, how do you stop them? Author - Sean M As they pursue a fourth consecutive league title, Brendan Rodgers' side have already thumped three past Rangers, triumphed at second-placed Aberdeen, and hammered the same opponents 6-0 in the League Cup semi-final. Their domestic dominance isn’t just impressive – it’s overwhelming. Out of a possible 42 Premiership points, Celtic have amassed 40. They boast a seven-point lead at the top of the table, which could stretch to ten with a win in their game in hand. They remain unbeaten away from home in the league, and across all competitions, they’ve netted a staggering 65 goals in 22 games.  Celtic fans have been loving this season so far. The video below shows fans response to that extraordinary win over Aberdeen in the League Cup. Rodgers has done this before. In his first sea...

Opnion: Stop exploiting the loyalty of fans

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Ticket prices are too high  Enough is enough Author - Olivia T It has been another fantastic Premier League season so far.  However, the excitement of what’s shaping up to be an enthralling campaign has been overshadowed by constant news of price increases for fans. The recent announcement that Manchester United will charge a flat price of £66 to all Members for tickets to the remaining matches this season has enraged everyone at European Super Football. This anger has been further fuelled by the revelation that this exorbitant price will apply equally to adults, children, and seniors, regardless of where you sit in the ground. A dreadful decision by the decision-makers at Old Trafford. But United aren’t alone. We've seen significant price increases across much of the Premier League. At Anfield, the Spirit of Shankly group and other Liverpool fans have protested against their own club’s recent ticket price hikes.  One Liverpool supporter told us: “That news came in t...

A big weekend of fantasy football awaits

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Are you looking to make some changes in fantasy football this weekend? This article will explore the players you may want to bring in. Author - Mark Lee Jurrien Timber - Arsenal The Dutchman is poised to secure a run of starts in Arsenal’s back four due to an injury to fellow defender Ben White.  Timber's potential for assists is underscored by his impressive statistics. Despite starting only eight of the first 11 matches of the season, he has recorded 10 key passes, placing him fourth among Arsenal players. The 23-year-old also took six shots, which is second only to Gabriel among his side's defenders. After facing a difficult set of opponents, Mikel Arteta's team is now entering a more favorable schedule, making their defenders worth considering for your picks. Ollie Watkins - Aston Villa The Aston Villa forward has been struggling with his performance, scoring just one goal in his last five matches. However, with three favourable home games in the next few weeks, W...

Ruben Amorim prepares for first game as United boss

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It will be all change for Manchester United this weekend Their match against Ipswich will see a new face in the dugout as RĂşben Amorim takes charge for the first time. Flickr user  freeela sawkaka | Flickr  explores the new manager's tactics The deal to bring Amorim from Sporting Lisbon was finalised on 1 November, but the Portuguese club requested he remain until the international break before moving. Ruud van Nistelrooy, who had been serving as interim manager following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, has also departed. The former United striker was not included in Amorim’s plans for his backroom staff. Amorim's first challenge will be this trip to Ipswich Town. He's expected to introduce his favoured 3-4-3 formation, marking a significant shift from the four-man defence United played under Ten Hag. However, preparations for the match has been disrupted. Many United players have been away on international duty and might only return two days before the game. United fans will...

Ipswich Town: Back in the big league

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How's life been for Ipswich Town since their return to the Premier League? After earning promotion under manager Kieran McKenna, expectations were cautiously optimistic; the Tractor Boys aimed to retain their top-flight status and solidify their position among England's elite. Author - Marcus Closer look at their match v Spurs. They put in a brilliant display to claim their first Premier League win of the season with a 2-1 victory. Goals from Sam Szmodics and Liam Delap in the first half set Town on course, and they held their ground admirably in the second half to secure three valuable points, showing strength in both attack and defence. Axel Tuanzebe’s return from a thumb injury provided a welcome boost, as he took his place on the right of a backline that included Dara O’Shea, Cameron Burgess, and Leif Davis, with Aro Muric between the posts. Captain Sam Morsy anchored the midfield alongside Jens Cajuste, with Ben Johnson operating on the right. Omari Hutchinson and Szm...

What's the point of the UEFA Nations League?

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It's time for another big discussion. What's the point of the UEFA Nations League? Launched in 2018, this was UEFA’s bold attempt to revitalise international football in Europe.  Author - Sean M Picture of the Nations League logo uploaded by  Nazionale Calcio | Flickr With an aim to replace often tedious friendlies with competitive matches, the competition promised more meaningful games, chances for national glory, and an innovative league structure.  Opinions remain divided on whether the competition has truly improved international football. This big discussion article will examine strengths and weaknesses.  Strengths of the competition  Competitive games not friendlies One of the primary reasons for launching the Nations League was to eliminate the ‘friendly fatigue’ plaguing international football. Traditional friendlies often failed to engage fans, lacking the intensity and consequence that competitive fixtures provide. In contrast, the Nations League giv...

The Big Discussion: What do you think of the international break?

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The relationship between English football fans and international football can be mixed.  Some see it as a refreshing change, offering a chance to follow their national team and watch players from different clubs come together to represent their country.  Author - Liam C Others view it as an unwelcome interruption to what they care about most, causing frustration and even outright disdain. In many ways, it’s a love-hate relationship that has become a regular feature of the footballing calendar. More disruption Some fans of the big Premier League clubs might be annoyed that this current break is the 2nd one in an already-packed schedule. Some teams such as Nottingham Forest have started to build momentum. A break for these fans could feel like a real mood-killer. That same level of passion doesn’t always translate to the international stage, especially outside major tournaments.  Another major point of contention has been the risk of injuries. A couple of injuries at th...

The Big Discussion: Kai Havertz shining for Arsenal

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Kai Havertz benefits from Mikel Arteta’s evolving Arsenal side The German forward us leading the line for the Gunners and is now working well with Bukayo Saka. Let's explore the impact that he's having at the moment. As long as Bukayo Saka maintains his remarkable consistency, he’ll remain the standout star at Arsenal. The academy-grown winger notched his sixth and seventh assists of the season during the Gunners’ comeback victory against relegation-threatened Southampton on Saturday afternoon, also netting his second league goal of the campaign. Saka ranks among the Premier League’s top 10 players for shots, key passes and dribbles this season, showcasing the full extent of his attacking prowess. As Arsenal chase their first league title in over two decades, Saka is undoubtedly the main man. However, it would be wrong to say Arsenal are a one-man team. At 23, Saka is clearly Mikel Arteta’s crown jewel, but he is surrounded by other equally brilliant talents. Premier League...

The Big Discussion: Wayne Rooney's best Manchester United goals

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After his stunning free-kick for Manchester United Legends against Celtic Legends, we thought we'd examine Wayne Rooney's most iconic goals for Manchester United. His time at Old Trafford was marked by spectacular goals that not only highlighted his skill but also often proved crucial in the team's success. Here, we will explore some of his best goals for the club, showcasing the diverse nature of his striking prowess. Post match Rooney back in 2008. Photo credit -  Gordon Flood | Flickr Stoke City (2017) A record-breaking goal. Goal number 250 arrived in front of the watching Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Alex Ferguson who had brought him to Old Trafford 12-and-a-half years ago. It also gave United a point in a match that they probably deserved to lose.  Manchester City (2011)  He loved a goal against Manchester City. One of his most memorable strikes came in the 2011 Manchester derby. In this almost high-stakes match at Old Trafford, Rooney produced a stunning bicycle...

The Big Discussion: Can Ipswich Town survive?

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Despite a second defeat of the season, there is still plenty of optimism among Ipswich Town fans.  Ipswich took an early lead at the home of the reigning champions, with Sam Szmodics finding the net.  However, their advantage was quickly erased, and the match ultimately ended in a 4-1 victory for Pep Guardiola’s side. Reflecting on last week’s match against Liverpool, where the Reds scored twice in five minutes, the Ipswich manager emphasised the importance of learning to respond better when conceding a goal. He highlighted the need for similar lessons after today’s game, where City managed to score three goals in quick succession. Premier League: 2024/2025 season (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com) They have strengthened their squad After the match, Ipswich announced the signing of Jack Clarke from Sunderland, marking their 10th acquisition in the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old winger, who started his career at Leeds United, has joined on a five-year contract. Clarke ...