I read with interest yesterday’s report on The Mag that Richard Masters, the Premier League’s chief executive officer, received a £1m bonus on top of his £1.63m salary for the 2024/25 season.
I imagine one of Masters’ main priorities, if not the absolute biggest, is to promote the Premier League around the world. That helps to bring in billions from broadcasting deals.
By following the money, anyone might think his job entails:
Promoting and protecting those clubs with the biggest global appeal;
Trying to ensure the rich become even richer, regardless of any concept of fair play;
Encouraging the referees, assistants and VARs to “let the game flow”, so that the EPL is a distinctly different product from other big leagues;
Reducing the number of delays caused by VAR interventions.
Only a blind man riding a galloping horse through a peasouper could have failed to notice the change in refereeing this season, which I believe is part of a continuing trend. Fewer red cards, more unpunished shirt-pulling, a higher number of vicious tackles.
This week’s Everton v Man City clash was hailed as a 3-3 thriller. Perhaps it was but what I noticed most was the refereeing. Michael Oliver, one of the better officials, was determined to keep 11 Everton players on the pitch, whatever they did.
Is he obeying a PGMOL edict? Only Howard Webb knows the truth. But it all fits with an agenda that puts “entertainment” above every other factor, such as proper punishment for offenders.
For years, Newcastle United were labelled “physical, over-aggressive exponents of the dark arts” and the rest. Most of it was a cynical attempt by Arteta and his ilk to influence referees and divert attention from his own failings.
When that didn’t work, they took matters into their own hands, with off-the-ball intimidation and multiple blocking at free-kicks, corners and long throws.
If Arsenal do win the Premier League for the first time in more than 20 years, they will have succeeded by foul means rather than fair, just like our friends from down the A19.
In the two Tyne-Wear derbies, Dan Burn had to leave the pitch and missed a lot of games after being smashed in the ribs by a reckless assault; then Sven Botman was kicked in the head by Brian Brobbey and had to be replaced.
To misquote Oscar Wilde: “To lose one player may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.”
I reckon Newcastle United have failed to listen to the mood music. We should have been cruder and more physical instead of trying to play a passing game that often breaks down.
We bullied Liverpool at Wembley 14 months ago. We need to return to that style of play.
One reason Nick Woltemade has struggled after an excellent start is the balking, holding and battering he has taken from defenders. He is probably more suited to a continental league that penalises such offences instead of permitting them.
I still believe he will be a big success on Tyneside, though not as a traditional central striker. He has loads of ability, good vision, excellent close control. All those assets are being negated by opponents’ physicality, however.
He will never be a battering ram; he needs somebody up top to do the heavy lifting.
If Woltemade can play either alongside or just behind either Yoane Wissa or, as seems increasingly likely, William Osula, United’s rivals will be unable to relax.
Some Newcastle United fans have been saying for months they cannot wait for this season to end. I’m not in that camp. Nearly three months without competitive club football will be purgatory.
I can’t wait for next season to start . . .