BEING FRANK ON FOOTBALL

BEING FRANK ON FOOTBALL

Has the Arne Slot juggernaut ground to a halt? Since I last wrote, they have been booted out of the Champions League by an in-form Real Madrid, and lost in the final of the Carabao Cup to Newcastle United, who incidentally, lifted their first piece of silverware in 70 years!

All things considered, what the Dutchman has done so far this season has been quite remarkable and was quite unexpected, given the success story of his predecessor Jurgen Klopp. I think most aficionados of the beautiful game would not have anticipated such a stunning start from Slot, who managed to defy the laws of football logic, in the way in which he not only steadied the Anfield ship, but in some respects, improved on what had gone on before. His calm dexterity is in complete contrast with the German, who so often wore his heart on his sleeve.

The good news for Reds fans is that Liverpool are a mighty 12 points ahead of their nearest rivals Arsenal, who for the third year running will end up as bridesmaids in the battle for Premier League ascendency. Nottingham Forest remain the surprise package, and now look likely to take third spot and a place in the Champions League!

At the bottom, it seems all but certain that the three sides that came up; namely Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town will all go back from whence they came, in a repeat of the season before. The gulf between the Championship and the Premier League is now so huge that it does need addressing by the powers that be.

New England boss Thomas Tuchel must have been pleased to get over the line in a less that convincing start to his national managerial career.

Tuchel had promised to bring back excitement after succeeding the under-fire Gareth Southgate - but it was in very short supply, as the Three Lions struggled for fluency against their ultra-cautious visitors from Albania.

The German head Coach will undoubtedly be pleased to get off to a winning start, but the thrills and intensity he expects to generate throughout his squad is not there yet, but this will be quickly forgotten if England keep winning, and goals from Lewis-Skelly, who is the youngest player to score on his senior England bow and the irrepressible Harry Kane, ensured they were triumphant.

Skelly was just 18 years and 176 days when he score on his debut at Wembley, which surpassed Marcus Rashford's previous record set against Australia in May 2016.

New Wales boss Craig Bellamy was equally delighted, as his Welsh squad defeated Kazakhstan 3-1 in a World Cup qualifier at the Cardiff City Stadium. Dan James, Ben Davis and late sub Rabbi Matondo got the goals.

There was some good news for Scotland too, as they beat Greece away 0-1 thanks to a goal from Scott McTominay!
They are now a lot closer to retaining their Nations League A status. Greece had 18 shots in just the second half alone, whilst Scotland recorded just one from McGinn from 25 yards in the second half, so this tie is far from over, and the Scots will do well to be on their guard!

The Netherlands drew 2-2 with Spain in the first leg of their Nations League quarter final as the visitors levelled things Mikel marino on 93 minutes. The Dutch will have to pull out all the stops to get through now it seems.

And finally, in the Nations League B/C Nations play-off's Ireland defeated Bulgaria 1-2 away, thanks to goals from Fin Azaz and Matt Doherty after they had trailed to Marin Petkov's sixth minute strike. They take a narrow lead back to Ireland where they hope to complete the job.

Frank Weston

Cardiff City Stadium

This website is dedicated to all followers of football and as the name suggests, it's a very frank football debating school. The game itself generates a wide range of opinions on the vast array of subjects related to the sport and this is where you come in! I want to hear your views on all matters football, from new goal-line technology to the dramatic retirement of Arsene Wenger! We want to leave no stone unturned in our collective quest to examine all elements of the so-called beautiful game and where its future lies. Where does its future lie?

The uninitiated amongst us cannot fathom our obsessive interest in this game. I know my wife cannot quite understand why I cannot let one day pass by without checking on my favourite football club! Mad as it may seem, apart from this football frenzy, we tend to live quite normal lives in most cases and yet this is the great escape from the mundane and what a great escape it sometimes is!

BEING FRANK ON FOOTBALL

The aim of the game is to use this website as a vehicle for our own convenience. Whether you support Barcelona or Coventry City matters not, because this is an open house and everyone is welcome to air their views. Football is a passionate sport and we are all passionate about it, so get writing and tell me what you think about the World Cup in Qatar - or whether David Moyes was a worthy successor to the great man himself and all the other things that matter most to all genuine football fans, where ever you happen to be and whatever team you happen to support!

Being Frank on Football is a website that puts the supporter first! The main objective is to talk frankly about all aspects of the sport we love and to air our views in public without taboos.

When it comes to football there are no taboos when it comes to airing ones views! This website is still very much a work in progress and it might take some time before all the elements that make a website a place worthy of more than just a polite peruse are in place so please bear with me on this and together we can make it happen!

Try to visit this web site on a regular basis, as it begins to evolve because the long term aim is to get all football fans on board and make it one of the most dynamic and diverse football websites around. With your help this is has to be the ultimate goal!

In the meantime, you can check out my regular monthly column on all things football in the Amsterdam Stun.

Together we can make this a must see place for all dedicated followers of the beautiful game.

Editor and Host : Frank Weston

You can also e-mail me here at frankonfootball@icloud.com

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of articles and quotations expressed, we do not accept liability for errors made in good faith, that might be deemed by some to be wholly inaccurate.

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