Friday is here 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 major talking points for the weekend ahead 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 weekend and what to watch out for over the coming days. Let’s get started!
Man United star must bounce back
Not too long ago, Marcus Rashford was described as Manchester United’s ‘talisman’. How quickly things change.
Rashford was the standout performer for the club last season, but his form has worryingly dropped off a cliff this time around.
His body language has not looked great this term, although his mindset will not have been helped by the chaos surrounding him at Old Trafford.
However, in times of crisis, clubs need their big players to step up. Rashford must start producing his best form and quickly.
West Ham have a point to prove
West Ham United head into the latest round of matches seventh in the Premier League, just three points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool.
Their home game on Sunday pits them against Newcastle United, who are one point behind and full of confidence after their midweek heroics in the Champions League.
While West Ham have looked much improved this season, defeats against Manchester City and Liverpool suggest they have a mental block when facing big clubs.
Their clash with the Magpies is a genuine opportunity to show they can push for European qualification through their league position this season.
The week that was
Are you looking for the best football stories from the past week? Check these out:
- There will never be no wrong VAR calls – but is having refs in charge the right one?
- EA Sports FC 24 and the challenge of rebranding FIFA, one of sport’s most iconic franchises.
- Is Man United’s chaos making it harder for Hojlund to shine?
Today’s top tune
If you were paying attention a few weeks ago, you would have spotted we were waxing lyrical about The Lilacs. They’ve now released a new single. Excellent stuff!
What to watch this week
Arsenal vs Manchester City on Sunday. A Mikel Arteta red card, Declan Rice going missing in another big game and Erling Braut Haaland on the scoresheet – you read it here first.
A final Morning Mix thought
“I don’t like to listen to ladies talking about the England men’s team at the match because I don’t think it’s the same experience.”
Kevin Keegan there, proving that some people are stuck in the 1970s. As an aside, it was no surprise to see everyone’s favourite neanderthal Joey Barton support Keegan.
Here’s the thing. It’s okay not to like ‘ladies’ commenting on men’s football. Some of them are absolutely clueless. However, some are excellent.
What is not okay is to misogynistically generalise about female pundits, especially when so many males are stealing a living in football.
Keegan often comes across as a smug, self-absorbed knucklehead. It probably comes from spending time in Liverpool.
