From Thursday, Paul MacInnes examines the various forces pulling the Premier League in various directions.
On Tuesday Premier League clubs voted against a proposal to temporarily ban loans of players between clubs that share the same ownership. They also voted against tougher rules on clubs doing sponsorship deals with companies that have ownership links. Both changes had been proposed by the Premier League and were rejected. This doesn’t happen very often at all.
Will Unwin has been counting the cards so you don’t have to.
Last season a conservative 30 sendings-off were dished out in 380 matches and after 120 games this time the figure is only three fewer. Admittedly, 2022-23 was an outlier – in the previous four seasons there was an average of 45.5 dismissals – with the second fewest red cards in Premier League history and was not, it would appear, the start of a trend. If the rate of reds continues there will be 85 this season. The league record is 76, from 2005-06.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is going for it, and why not?
Side-note: is any club as obsessed with the role of “vice-captain” as Liverpool? Who’s your team’s vice-captain? Favourite vice-captain? Call us here on 606. Get in touch.
There will be a protest at the Premier League offices today from Everton fans, and their players are not taking the matter lying down either.
“I expect the weekend to be no different – if not, more electric,” said Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of Manchester United’s visit.
“I’m sure the fans will be ready. Us as players, we’ll prepare the same as normal and make sure we’re ready to put in a performance and collect the three points. I think, given the circumstances, I’ve sensed a lot of unity and togetherness. We were off on the international break when the news broke, but coming back in this week, I don’t feel like it’s fazed us players
“We know, as a group, we can’t affect that. All we can affect is what’s in front of us, and that’s the game on Sunday, so we’re looking forward to that.”
Good morning, and welcome. Plenty to look forward to, including the battles between Merseyside and Manchester. There may also be developments in the continuing politics of the Premier League and the Everton situation as club football resumes until March. International football is safely back in the box for now.
Join me and my colleagues.