It’s Monday again which means it’s time for ‘Morning Mix’ – our weekly football column with a bit of music thrown in for good measure.
We look at two talking points from the past week and point you in the direction of some of the best football stories elsewhere on the internet.
We also offer a top tune recommendation to get you in the mood for the next week and what to watch out for over the coming days. Let’s get stuck in!
Conte was right about Tottenham
Antonio Conte’s rant after Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-3 draw with Southampton last month did not go down well with the club’s bosses and ultimately cost him his job.
However, Tottenham’s woeful display at Newcastle United yesterday demonstrated that Conte was bang on the money about this bunch of underachievers.
The spineless collapse at St James’ Park was their 11th league defeat of the season – 51 goals conceded in 32 games tells its own story.
And for those people suggesting Harry Kane needs to get out of Tottenham as soon as possible – he’s as much a part of the problem as the rest of them. £100 million? No thanks.
Villa show the grit they missed under Gerrard
Aston Villa’s five-match winning run ended at Brentford on Saturday, although there was undoubtedly no shame in coming away with a 1-1 draw.
The Midlands side have improved massively since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as manager and could end the campaign in a European qualification spot.
Emery admitted after the game that his team had not played well, but they still found a way to secure a point against tricky opponents.
This was a game Villa would have lost under Gerrard – the fact they didn’t proves why dispensing with his services was the right call.
The week that was
Are you looking for the best football stories from the past week? Check these out:
- How Reynolds and McElhenney helped end 15 years of hurt for Wrexham.
- Giving up my Watford season ticket was not just easy but an inevitable decision.
- Leao and Maignan are made for magic moments, but can Milan hold onto them?
Today’s top tune
We devoted last week’s Morning Mix column to Wrexham, and they duly justified that decision by winning promotion to League Two on Saturday.
On that basis, there’s no better way to celebrate than sharing the latest release from Wrexham indie band The Royston Club (yet again).
Their reworking of ‘Cherophobe’ is a slow builder, with a layering of strings thrown in for good measure. Wonderful.
What to watch this week
Blackburn Rovers vs Burnley on Tuesday. A victory for the visitors will secure the Championship title. Rovers CANNOT let this happen.
A final Morning Mix thought
The path looks clear for Chelsea to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as manager. He’d obviously target Kane if he pitches up at Stamford Bridge.
Before Chelsea fans get too excited at the prospect of the pair reuniting, remember they won the square root of zero together at Tottenham.
