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Barcelona: Hansi Flick is confident his side will not be derailed by injuries as they prepare to visit Athletic Club on Saturday, aiming to maintain their lead over Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga. WIth a Champions League Round of 16 match against Newcastle United to follow on Tuesday, Barca suffered injuries to defenders Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde during their 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final on Tuesday, a result that was not enough to overturn a four-goal deficit from the first leg. Midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Gavi also remain sidelined, but striker Robert Lewandowski is fit for the Athletic clash.
“These things happen, I’m not happy,” said Flick today. “We have to talk about what we can improve. That is always my responsibility. It’s not on the medical staff or the physios – it’s my responsibility. I want to talk to the doctors, the physios and the technical staff to see what we can do better. It’s about managing the team, and it’s not pleasant, especially at such a crucial moment. But we’re optimistic. This gives other players the opportunity to show how good they are.” Real Madrid’s shock 1-0 home loss to Getafe on Monday left leaders Barca four points clear after 26 matches. Athletic sit ninth.
Updated at 11.56 EST
An email: “Re: the Jesse Lingard move to Corinthians. Jamal Lewis went on loan to Sao Paolo in September 2024 so I think Lingard will become the second Englishman to play in the Brazilian top flight,” writes Adam Griffiths, who is correct … but I’m not going to let that stop me splitting hairs. While Lewis is English and did indeed play six times for Sao Paolo, scoring one goal, he is a Northern Ireland international. Anyway, good spot, Adam.
Brentford: Having signed a new and improved long-term deal with Brentford last week, Keith Andrews has been further rewarded with a nomination for Ferbuary’s manager of the month.
“Listen, it is nice of course but it is just a testament to the work that has gone on and the level of the performances the boys have produced, especially away from home, during this period,” he said, ahead of his side’s FA Cup match against West Ham on Monday night.
“I think the work that goes into it from everybody has got us to that point over a period of time, which we have worked tirelessly to get to. So it is nice to see it come to fruition in some big games – and, of course, it is a nice pat on the back for everybody that has played a huge part in it.”
Brentford winger Dango Ouattara has also been nominated for February’s player of the month award, while Rico Henry will miss Monday night’s match with a hamstring injury and is expected to be out for what Andrews described as “a decent amount of time”. Vitaly Janelt and Aaron Hickey also remain sidelined for Brentford.
Updated at 11.20 EST
Corinthians sign Jesse Lingard: The club from the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo have announced the signing of the former Manchester United and West Ham midfielder, who has been without a club since leaving the South Korean club FC Seoul in December.
The 33-year-old has signed a deal to take him to the end of the year and will become the first English footballer to play in the Brazilian top flight but has a lot of work to do if he is to win fans over and join a roll call of club legends that includes Socrates, Rivelino, Carlos Teves, the original and best Ronaldo, and Carlos Tevez.
Leeds United: While Farke’s focus turns to the FA Cup this weekend, Premier League survival remains Leeds’ priority. Sitting just three points above the drop zone on 31 points, their safety is far from assured, even if they are best placed of the six teams circling the drain to stay up.
“I trust my players and I trust the group,” he said. “I don’t agree that results on other pitches are going against us. It’s good fun to analyse other results, but I’m not sitting on my sofa biting my nails and hoping West Ham or Nottingham Forest lose.
“We need seven to nine points in order to stay in this league, that’s a fact. For me, the crunch time is the last six games. We have three games where we could even win the points before [the end of the season] to ease the pressure on those last six games.
“If we don’t do this then we don’t deserve to play in the Premier League next season, but what we have shown so far gives me lots of confidence in this group. I stay calm, concentrated and focused. If we win seven to nine points, we will be safe in the end. I’m confident we have more than enough to get the points we need.”
Leeds United: Daniel Farke learned today that he has received a one-match touchline ban on the back of the red card he was shown for approaching referee Peter Bankes on the pitch at the end of the game following Leeds’ defeat to Manchester City. He was asked about his punishment in the press conference he gave ahead of Leeds’ FA Cup fifth round tie against his former side Norwich City at Elland Road on Sunday.
“I think the message I will take is that I will never jog on the pitch again because I was accused of entering the pitch and confronting the referee,” he said. “I did my jogging and I won’t again because I probably look a bit scary when I jog. I still think it wasn’t the right decision to show me a red card because, even if I jogged, it isn’t right to be given a red card anyway.
“There was not one bad word, no accusation or no bad language or whatever. I think the red card shouldn’t stand, however I haven’t appealed the one-match ban for one simple reason: because if I appeal and the panel comes together for two weeks, we speak again about this topic and then the decision is made. I don’t think it makes sense to talk more about this topic and that’s why I’ve simply accepted the ban.”
Wrexham: Thirty-four years on from Mickey Thomas’ famous free-kick winner against Arsenal, the Welsh club are seeking another statement win over Chelsea, writes Will Unwin …
Sunderland: With his side’s Premier League status secured following their win over Leeds in one of the most terrible games of football ever played at Elland Road or anywhere else on Tuesday night, Regis Le Bris takes Sunderland to Port Vale on Sunday, where they’ll play the League One’s bottom side on a threadbare pitch that could be ripe to stage an upset.
“We have to adapt because you can’t play next to your box and it is especially hard to play short because the risk is high,” said Regis. “But I don’t want to highlight this part of the game too much. Football is unpredictable. You have to adapt and find creative solutions. We will have to be pragmatic.”
Despite Port Vale’s lowly position, Le Bris insisted his team won’t be taking their hosts lightly. “You need to earn it because it won’t be easy,” he said of victory. “It’s a specific context, especially with them playing against a Premier League team, so they will play with this X factor. This energy can make surprises. It’s always like that, so for us that context is really important.”
More email correspondence: “Spurs going down would beat Leicester winning the league as the craziest thing to happen since football was invented in 1992, wouldn’t it?” suggests Graeme Neill. “It would be a shame though – part of the joy of revelling in Spursiness is watching them have ideas above their station before Sideshow Bobbing their way across the pitch packed with rakes.”
From Spurs season ticket-holder Matt Bailey: “I’m interested to know if other Spurs fans would have taken the Europa League trophy at the expense of relegation this season?” he asks. “Are extreme highs and lows preferable to calm mediocrity? I realise the two outcomes aren’t directly related, but ignoring the league last season to concentrate on Europe, got the team used to losing league games. Is the Championship an opportunity for a much needed reset and rebuild?”
From Spurs fan Martin Bolme: “As a Spurs supporter I have seen some strange things the last 35 years, but this is actually scary now,” he writes. “My main question: will they survive in the championship next year? I suspect most players will be sold at a huge discount, bur who will remain? Maybe the young ones will take one season before moving on, but will that be enough? Lets say Gray, Bergvall, Tel, Souza and Kinský stays. Maybe Danso. Who will buy the players needed to survive in the Championship? Venkatesham and Lange?”
Women’s World Cup: I had this bit prepped and ready to go before my colleague Suzanne Wrack filed her vastly superior copy from Sarina Wiegman’s press conference earlier, so apologies for any overlap but it does contain some additional quotes and info about the mechanics of qualification for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil that I wasn’t previously aware of …
Following their 6-1 win over Ukraine in Antalya on Tuesday, England are due to face Iceland at a sold-out City Ground at 12.30pm (GMT) on Saturday. All England’s goals against Ukraine came in the second half and ahead of tomorrow’s match, Sarina Wiegman has been preaching the virtue of patience if her Lionesses are slow in scoring against an Iceland team cthey are heavy favourites to beat.
“It’s very important,” she said. “That’s what we showed on Tuesday. Of course we wanted to score goals in the first half and we did have some opportunities, but the team showed that we could do better. We stuck with the plan and everyone kept doing their tasks together. We didn’t start doing things on our own because that doesn’t help in those moments. We just stayed calm, kept doing our task and got some opportunity up front. In the moments where we lost the ball, we won it back so quickly as well. That says a lot about the mentality of my team.”
Iceland lost 3-0 against Spain on Tuesday in Castellon, but held out against the current world champions for 39 minutes. Only the winners of Group A3 qualify directly for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil without having to go through playoffs. Spain and England are expected to battle for top spot.
England manager Sarina Wiegman speaks to the ladies and gentlemen of the press. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images/ReutersShare
Updated at 09.52 EST
An email: “Quick observation,” writes Peter Crosby. “The announcement of the season ticket price hike is most unfortunate given Man Utd are finally on a good run of results on the pitch. And you know what it brings to mind? Tottenham.
“One of the main reasons the atmosphere at the ground has been so toxic over the past two years is that the ticket prices naturally raise expectations of quality, and naturally produce more wrath when that is not reflected in the quality of the spectacle.
“Man Utd and Spurs are similar in some ways – both huge clubs for whom relegation seemed impossible, but for whom chronic mismanagement has led to a huge lowering of footballing standards. If I were Big Sir Jim, I’d be most careful about a quick money grab from fans when all that will do is make them more impatient.”
Chelsea: Liam Rosenior takes his side to Wales, where they will play Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground. Two months into the job, Rosenior has already masterminded FA Cup wins over Charlton Athletic and Hull City and hopes to add a third Championship scalp to this season’s collection tomorrow evening as he bids to win his first trophy as Chelsea head coach.
“It is why I am here,” he told reporters. “It is what you dream of as a player, coach or manager. The FA Cup is an amazing competition with tradition and history, but what we have to do tomorrow is not think about the trophy or finals and concentrate on Wrexham.
“If I go back to the Charlton or Hull game, what pleased me most was the application of the players. I thought we were excellent, and we will have to be at the same level at least to win the game tomorrow. It is what you work for, but if you focus on the trophy at the end of the season you probably aren’t going to win anything. It is all about the next game, it really is.
“The players are in a really good frame of mind. The Aston Villa performance and result has given us confidence, but we need to focus on this game and make sure we come through the other side.”
Rosenior told reporters that tomorrow’s game has come to soon for Estevao and Jamie Gittens, who are both back in training as they recover from injury.
Liam Rosenior says there is “a good energy and good vibe” around tomorrow’s FA Cup opponents Wrexham. Photograph: Jacob King/PAShare
West Ham: No press conference worth its salt these days concludes without the thorny issue of anarchy at set-pieces being raised and Nuno’s was no exception. “It has changed,” he said. “What referees are allowing from set-piece situations is almost crazy. I think they should review it. I think they should come to the clubs and speak to the players.
“They need to try to really explain to them what is a foul, what contact is and how far you can go with contact, so that the players are more clear on their actions. We are seeing things that are not normal. I consider many of them fouls. The contact, the holding, the grabbing, the blocks. The contact allowed on the goalkeepers which makes their life very, very difficult.”
Nuno Espirito Santo wants more input from referees to help sort out set-piece shenanigans. Photograph: John Walton/PAShare
Updated at 09.33 EST
More Conor-spondence: “I really rate Conor Gallagher and was surprised when I turned up at what was a football ground rather than an entertainment venue to find he was on the bench,” writes Robin Jones, a long-suffering Spurs season ticket holder.
“The scene and likely result were already set by the time he was introduced and he tried to make an impact as he has done in his other games. But let’s be honest Spurs are a very poor side (hardly a team) and if I had any influence as a season ticket holder (which I don’t) I would want to see most of the current squad gone. Only Archie Gray puts in 90 minutes of effort which in current times is about 115 minutes. If Poch returns we should see Connor earn his Spurs.”
Would Mauricio Pochettino fancy muddying his spats in the Championship? I’m not so sure.
Updated at 09.38 EST
West Ham: Nuno Espirito Santo’s side get a welcome break from their fight against relegation as they host Brentford in the FA Cup on Monday night. The Portuguese head coach did, however, tune in to see Tottenham’s Premier League defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace last night, a loss that was simultaneously shocking and completely unsurprising.
“We see all the games,” he said. “What we know is that we cannot influence anything. We are just spectators, so it doesn’t mean anything for us. We are still in the same situation. We have a lot of work in front of us. I watched some moments. What I watch at home is not important. I’m trying to tell you that we watch all of the matches but we know that it’s all about us. We cannot control anything that happens in other stadiums. We can influence in our games, and this is our main focus.”
On his own side’s recent resurgence, Nuno had this to say: “It wasn’t me, it was the players. The players have been able to improve our game. The results are helping, so is the atmosphere and the mood, it is all much better.”
West Ham have taken 14 points from the last 24 available and currently sit in 17th place, level on poiunts with Nottingham Forest and just one behind a Tottenham team that has lost seven of their last 10 league games and is yet to win a top flight game this year. No pressure, Igor.
Manchester United: The former Manchester United full-back Patrice Evra has stuck the boot into his former teammates Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Roy Keane for sticking the boot into another former teammate, the current Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick, following Newcastle’s 2-1 win over the former Manchester United midfielder’s side on Wednesday night.
“Michael has definitely got something special about him…cos Utd have been crap last four games,” read an Instagram post from Scholes that irked Evra, along with some opinions proffered by rent-a-gob ex-captains Neville and Keane.
“I hope Paul Scholes’ Instagram story is fake,” said Evra in an interview with Stake. “I hope he was hacked. To be honest, I’m not surprised at that from Scholesy. He was the quietest player I’ve ever played with in my entire career. Now, in the media, he drops bombshells.
“I really don’t understand the lack of support behind Michael Carrick, he’s one of us and he’s doing very well. There’s been negative analysis from Scholesy, but also from Roy Keane and Gary Neville. It annoys me because we want to be in the top four, and those comments are unnecessary, but this is what you do when you work in TV. You can’t be positive, you have to be negative.
“Most of these guys get a managerial job and get fired straightaway. I said to Neville: ‘It’s easy to talk on TV. When you were at Valencia, they asked you for paella, and you gave them fish and chips’. After three months, they said goodbye.
“People can’t forget what they have done as a manager. As players, they’re legends, but as managers, they haven’t done a great job. So for them to speak and possibly kill the career of a manager, it’s a little bit too much.” PA Sport
My work here is done, Barry Glendenning is coming aboard to take you through the afternoon. Goodbye.
Like Manchester United, Newcastle have announced that season ticket prices will be increased by 5% for next season.
In addition, the disability discount ticket has been halved, to 25% from 50%.
The details are here, on the official club website.
Another email about Spurs!
“Hi Luke,” opens Peter.
“I am a season-ticket holder and went to the game last night and stayed till the end. I don’t know if you saw the warmup before the game, I have never seen such a mess in all my time going, you could see that the coaches out on the field had no idea what they were doing. And if you looked at the faces of the players you could see defeat in their eyes. I said to Sandra who sits next to me that we would lose tonight – we lost in that warmup.”
“Conor Gallagher – tell me why you would go out and spend £35 million on another Oliver Skipp? And break your wages cap? He brings nothing to the team and we sold Skipp for £20 million.
“And Van de Ven supposedly one of the fastest players in the league, cannot keep up and pulls a player down and will miss the next three games. How convenient, gets him a bit nearer the end of the season, and then goodbye – “I really enjoyed my time at Spurs, you will always be in my heart.” ha ha.”
Note: Van de Ven’s suspension will in fact be one match rather than three.
Updated at 08.52 EST
“I don’t understand why I am still not there,” Sean Dyche said of his sacking by Nottingham Forest.
“From my record while I was there, we’d have been 12th in the Premier League. On factual data and analysis I can’t understand any of the decisions … Football now is like selling chocolate teapots … fans says ‘this is what this club’ is about when maybe they’ve had one good season in the past 30 … this is where the keyboard warriors come into it. It’s trying to reming the fan base of the truth, rather than what it is, is very difficult now.
“10% of the fans spread the hate. The real Everton fans [in his previous job] told me I was doing really well.”
(Dyche was talking to the Football Boardroom Podcast.)
Sean Dyche was dismissed by Nottingham Forest last month. Photograph: Scott Heppell/ReutersShare
Updated at 08.58 EST
Manchester United insist a 5% increase in ticket prices around Old Trafford next season will help in their quest to “return to the top of domestic and European football”, but supporters’ groups criticised the decision, along with moving fans to increase the number of hospitality seats.
“Sounds odd when it’s Championship footie next season,” emails Nick, in an email titled COYS.
“Interesting to see who will stay, which manager will carry unreasonable expectations etc. etc. But at last I’ll be able to turn notifications back on. There will be something to aim for. Hopefully.”
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Suzanne Wrack
Alex Greenwood has been unable to recover from a muscle injury and will be unavailable for the Lionesses’ World Cup qualifier against Iceland on Saturday.
“Unfortunately Alex didn’t make it,” said the manager Sarina Wiegman. “She has a minor muscle injury but tomorrow is too early. She was desperate to go out last Tuesday [against Ukraine] and also for tomorrow, so of course we have all tried to make it work, but it’s just too early and it’s not worth it to take a massive risk.”
After an opening 6-1 win against Ukraine in Turkey, Wiegman warned against underestimating Iceland at the City Ground in Nottingham. “We think we will have the ball a lot, but it’s going to be very hard to break down their defence,” she said. “I think it is a very strong test, they’re very disciplined, very physical, very direct and with a lot of pace.”
Alex Greenwood (left) and Keira Walsh. Greenwood has been ruled out of the game against Iceland by a minor muscle injury. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA
England were shut out in the first half against Ukraine in Antalya but Alessia Russo, who scored twice along with Georgia Stanway and Jess Park, said they were not worried at the break.
“It was a game of two halves, although after the first half we were still happy with how we were playing, we wanted to be a little bit more ruthless and we were aware of that,” Russo said. “The conversations at half-time were that we were dominating the ball and we just needed to create that final product or that final finish and going out into the second half, we saw that in abundance.”
Russo was back at No 9 for England, having operated more regularly in the No 10 role for Arsenal this season. Wiegman said “for us, the way we set up, her best position is No 9” but that her versatility is a bonus. Russo says alternating positions is expanding her knowledge.
“I feel like I understand the game a lot more and, as I grow up, I have learned a lot about myself and my playing style and I’ll play wherever the team needs me in any moment,” Russo said.
“Both positions offer different things and I’m happy to do whatever the team needs. Ultimately, I want to be in and around the box, creating, scoring myself or setting other people up, but I don’t mind it. I think it adds to my knowledge of the game and helps me become a better player.”
Updated at 08.38 EST
“I’m probably being harsh, but I’ve never rated Gallagher. Good stamina and not much else,” emails Joshua.
Doesn’t that describe 90% of modern footballers, though? He’s definitely not skilful but you need box-to-box drive, now more than ever.
Conor Gallagher. Runs around a lot. Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Neal Simpson/Apl/SportsphotoShare
Updated at 08.21 EST
“The FA cup is so important,” opines Pep Guardiola before Manchester City’s meeting with Newcastle tomorrow. Is he friendly with Eddie Howe, his counterpart at the Magpies?
“Really good [relations] but never dinner together … good relations. Listen, we are rivals, we have to play each other, but before and after the game, it’s completely different.”
Then he’s asked about Rodri, who is still readjusting to their busy schedule after serious injury: “We wanted a long time ago when he came back a consistent routine, to play, play, play … but we play a lot of games, a lot of travel, fatigue,” Guardiola says. “Yeah you have to use all the squad, otherwise it will not be possible. Step by step he’s getting better and better and better. Everybody knows it.”
Rodri has a cuddle with Bernardo Silva. Photograph: Phil Noble/ReutersShare
By the way, isn’t Conor Gallagher quite good? I thought he was good. I see he was on the bench last night. What’s happened? Please “>email me and explain.
Jamie O’Hara, the font of all footballing knowledge, is on telly talking about Igor Tudor.
“His tactics are terrible … he’s miles off it … he’s shown no evidence he can get quick results … he’s come in an moaned about the problems. We know there are problems at Tottenham! That’s why you are in the job … he’s got no clue about the Premier League.
“The window is closed, you can’t buy players, the only thing you can do is get rid of the manager … this is desperate times … if this guy carries on, I genuinely think we are going to go down … he’s not going to be there at the end of the season so the players don’t care enough … get Harry Redknapp in … Jermain Defoe … I can’t believe what I’m watching!”
Yes, Tottenham’s problems are definitely to do with the guy they hired three weeks ago.
Updated at 08.23 EST
Thanks Dom. In fact, due to a clerical error, it’s Luke McLaughlin (me) now, then Barry at 2pm. Let’s do this.
I shall now vacate this seat.
It’s time for Barry Glendenning to come in and steer you through the Friday lunchtime rush, or lack thereof.
Is Igor Tudor known as ‘the Ferryman’ for his ability to get steer away from relegation or simply because he’s only once had a job that lasted more than a year and 50 games?
And that was his first managerial role, at Hadjuk Split.
Since then: PAOK, Karabükspor, Galatasaray, Udinese (twice), Hajduk Split (again), Hellas Verona, Marseille, Lazio, Juventus and now Spurs have taken short punts on Tudor.
Matthew Guite has been in touch to analyse Igor Tudor’s insistence that the Tottenham Hotspur boat was heading in the right direction …
double quotation markInterestingly, Igor didn’t seem to say where exactly where he thought the “boat” was heading to? As his nickname is the Ferryman, maybe he thinks he is supposed to be ferrying the team from the Premier League to the Championship?
It would be so Spurs to get to the Champions League final and get relegated.