The highlight games for this week’s action are CHELSEA versus EVERTON and ARSENAL versus CRYSTAL PALACE. Our feature columnist, John Newsome previews these and all game week 28 matches with his unique and insightful commentary. You can view all previous analysis from John’s regular column here: English Premier League Predictions For Saturday.
Please note all prices quoted below were correct at the time of publication
Wednesday 15th
Game Week-7
SOUTHAMPTON v BRENTFORD
19.30 in England
A rearranged Game Week-7 affair which is not shown live in England.
The reason for this is UEFA won’t allow any Top Flight matches on TV when one of their Flagship competitions (Champions League) is taking place at the same time.
So both of these rearranged fixtures will have to be listened to on the wireless.
Southampton gained a valuable point away at Old Trafford against Manchester United on Sunday with both teams failing to find the back of the net.
In truth, whilst it was a point gained, the Saints had a man advantage for 60 minutes of the match, with Casemiro getting sent off just after the half-hour mark.
As there isn’t a Manchester United preview this week due to the FA Cup, it’s worth mentioning that Casemiro has never been shown a straight Red Card before he came to England but has now been shown 2 in his last 3 Premier League games.
The point gained still leaves Southampton at the foot of the table with 22 points from 26 played.
Brentford suffered their first Premier League loss since October 2022 on Saturday, succumbing to a defeat against Everton at Goodison Park by a 1-0 scoreline.
Surprisingly, the single goal conceded was in the opening minute, with the Bees having the remaining 89 to try and get at least a draw.
Unfortunately, like the Big Bad Wolf, despite huffing and puffing, Thomas’s Bees couldn’t blow down the Toffee defence.
Brentford remain in 9th place with 38 points from 25 fixtures completed.
These two teams met at the GTech Stadium a month ago on the 4th of February.
Goals from Ben Mee, Bryan Mbeumo and Mathias Jensen gave the Bees the victory over the Saints by a 3-0 scoreline.
Betfred offer Southampton at 15/8, the draw at 23/10 and 7/5 for Brentford to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 11/4 that James Ward-Prowse Scores Anytime and 6/4 that Ivan Toney Scores Anytime.
Draw 1-1- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Game Week-8
BRIGHTON v CRYSTAL PALACE
19.30 in England
The M23 Derby sees the Eagles fly to the South Coast to take on the Seagulls at the Amex.
Brighton played in a very entertaining game at Elland Rd on Saturday, coming away from West Yorkshire with a share of the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.
The Archbishop was happy!
Alexis Mac Allister headed the opener after half an hour, however, the home team equalised to take both teams in level at the break.
Leeds United then tried to help Brighton to a victory by scoring an own goal on the hour mark but again equalised soon after to give both a point apiece.
The Seagulls then went flying around the City Centre looking for chips to nick off the West Yorkshire puddings.
Brighton remain in 7th place, with the same 39 points as Fulham but a place higher due to a superior goal difference.
Roberto De Zerbi’s men have only played 24 times.
Crystal Palace held Man City at bay for 75 minutes at Selhurst Park in the late Saturday afternoon kick-off.
Unfortunately for the Eagle Ultras, the constant City pressure resulted in Michael Olise conceding a penalty which was converted to ultimately see Palace suffer a defeat by a 1-0 scoreline.
Crystal Palace haven’t registered a shot on target in the last 3 fixtures and in the game against Man City, didn’t even have a shot that was off target.
Now, John Newsome isn’t a UEFA A or B licensed Coach or even an FA Level 1 but does know that if a football team doesn’t at least register a shot at the goals, it’s fair to say that a team will not score!
Not to offer Mr Vieira any advice as the legend obviously knows how football works but one would just like to say,
‘Them rectangular things at the end of each pitch, with two vertical posts and a horizontal crossbar, don’t move, so next time you are out there try having a few attempts at getting the ball between the vertical bit!’
Or words to that effect.
Although Crystal Palace remain in 12th place with the same 27 points as Wolves, that is only 3 points above the relegation zone, so Patrick just needs to keep an eye on that situation.
At Selhurst Park on the 11th of February 2023, the predicted score of 1-1 was borne out with James Tomkins cancelling out a Solly March goal to give both a share of the points.
As Brighton are at the Amex, a home victory is on the cards despite the recent history of this fixture and the fact that Palace can’t score.
Betfred offer Brighton at Odds On 1/2, the draw at 16/5 and 11/2 for Crystal Palace to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 5/1 that Alexis Mac Allister Scores First and 11/8 that Brighton Win To Nil.
Home Win 2-0- Get 11/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Game Week-28
All these Game Week-28 fixtures are the reverse of Game Week-1 from the beginning of August 2022.
Friday 17th
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v NEWCASTLE
20.00 in England
Sky Sports
As Robert Smith and The Cure would say,
‘It’s Friday, I’m in love!’
In love with the football coming from the City Ground in Nottingham.
Steve Cooper’s Tricky Trees suffered another defeat on Saturday, this time against Antonio Conte’s Spurs at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium by a 3-1 scoreline.
After conceding 2 goals in the 1st-half and 1 after the break, the Forest Captain, Joe Worrall headed home a consolation goal.
Andre Ayew missed a last-gasp penalty in the 96th minute, seeing the tame effort saved by the Spurs goalkeeper.
That’s 3 defeats in the last 5 fixtures, with the other 2 being draws.
Two points from a possible 15, leaves Nottingham Forest in 14th place with 26 points from 26 games played.
There are just 5 points separating Crystal Palace in 12th place and Southampton, currently at the bottom, in 20th place.
It’s quite conceivable that any of the Bottom 9 teams could be relegated, which will make it a very interesting last 3rd of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.
Newcastle played in the final fixture of Game Week-27 and now start this next set of Premier League fixtures on Friday evening.
The Magpies got back to winning ways on Sunday after back-to-back Premier League defeats, gaining a victory against Wolves at St James Park by a 2-1 scoreline.
An Alexander Isak header from a superb Kieran Trippier free-kick gave Newcastle the lead at the break.
Unfortunately for the unlucky Mr Trippier, midway through the 2nd-half, the lad ‘tripped’ whilst trying to clear the ball and presented Wolves with an equaliser.
Eddie Howe then sent on Miguel Almiron in place of Alan Saint-Maximin and had the faith repaid when Miguel scored the winner 10 minutes after coming on.
Newcastle jump up to 5th place in the table with 44 points from 25 games completed.
Tottenham have 48 points but have played 2 games more than the Magpies, so a Top Four finish is still on the cards.
At St James Park, for the opening fixture of this 2022/23 Premier League campaign, 2nd-half goals from Fabian Schar and Callum Wilson gave Newcastle the away day victory by a 2-0 scoreline.
Forest have improved a lot since that initial game so could at least get a draw today.
Betfred offer Nottingham Forest at 4/1, the draw at 11/4 and slight Odds On 7/10 for Newcastle to come away with all 3-points.
Away Win 0-1- Get 5/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Saturday 18th
ASTON VILLA v BOURNEMOUTH
12.30 in England
BT Sport
Aston Villa gained a point from a draw by a 1-1 score against West Ham on Sunday, as predicted in this EveryTip column last week.
Ollie Watkins scored the opener after 17 minutes but the lead didn’t last long with the Hammers equalising to take both teams in level at the break.
With no further goals in the 2nd-half, both Claret and Blues shared the points, leaving Aston Villa in 11th place with 35 points from 26 games completed.
Please note, the next part of this column isn’t made up and is completely true.
After suffering a defeat against Liverpool at Anfield by a 9-0 scoreline, Bournemouth gained revenge over Jurgen’s Reds at the vitality on Saturday getting a victory by a 1-0 score.
Philip Billing with the solitary winning goal.
The Cherries even gave Liverpool the chance to equalise when Adam Smith, thinking he was the goalkeeper, tipped the ball over the bar, thus conceding a penalty.
The dreaded VAR had to inform the on-field referee John Brooks that it was a handball as somehow John didn’t see the incident in real-time.
The Stockley Park crew do receive a lot of criticism, not least by this EveryTip column, however, Liverpool would not have got a penalty if VAR hadn’t got involved, which does offer up concerns about the on-field referee.
Luckily for the Cherries in attendance at the Vitality, Mo Salah decided to smash the ball high, wide and handsome to keep the score at 1-0.
So Liverpool smash Manchester United by 7 goals to nil one week and suffer a defeat against Bournemouth the next.
As Jimmy Greaves used to say,
‘Football, it’s a funny old game!’
Newly promoted Bournemouth, still under the guidance of Scott Parker gained an opening-day victory against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa by a 2-0 score.
Jefferson Lerma and Keiffer Moore with the Cherries goals, one in each half.
Both are now sitting at the Job Centre, sharing memories of losing at major tournaments whilst playing for England in Poland and Ukraine in 2012.
Scotty Four Stripes-
‘Can you remember Steve, when I used to collect the ball from Rio Ferdinand then pass it back to John Terry, then get the ball from John and pass it to Rio, I did that 100 times a game, can’t understand why England never won anything?’
Steve G-
‘Yes, Scott, great days, can you remember when all the England Managers used to pick Frank and me and leave Michael Carrick in Manchester counting all his Premier League Winners’ Medals and Trophies, I cannot for the life of me, think why England never won anything.’
Scott and Stevie together-
‘Anyways how do we fill these Job Seekers Allowance forms in?’
Scott Parker was recently sacked by Club Brugge after suffering a 2-legged defeat in the Champions League last-16 stage by an aggregate 7-1 scoreline against Benfica.
Four Stripes’ record in Belgium was,
Played 12, Won 2, Lost 4 and Drew 6.
Betfred offer Aston Villa at slight Odds On 4/6, the draw at 11/4 and 4/1 for Bournemouth to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Ollie Watkins Scores First and 8/5 that Aston Villa Score in Both Halves.
Home Win 2-0- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
BRENTFORD v LEICESTER
15.00 in England
Brentford will have faced Southampton at St Mary’s before this visit from Leicester.
The Bees will be hoping to get back on track against the Saints following the defeat last weekend at Goodison Park.
Leicester come into this fixture off the back of 5 straight defeats, 4 in the Premier League and a loss in the FA Cup.
One doesn’t need to be a genius to work out that is a serious problem for Brendan Rodgers and his set of Foxes.
The latest defeat came against Chelsea on Saturday at the King Power, with a certain Mr Gary Lineker in attendance.
This EveryTip column won’t go down the Mr Lineker Cul-De-Sac but just to say, whatever someone’s opinion is, one has the right to express them in our country, provided it’s not abusive or offensive.
A long time ago, a gentleman once said,
‘The pen is mightier than the sword!’
That is becoming more apparent of late when someone offers up a sentence or three and then gets cancelled.
Whether one agrees with Mr Lineker or not, the guy is entitled to offer up a view on whatever he feels he wants to say.
Nowadays, it’s not necessarily a pen but more a Tweet put out from a Qwerty keyboard.
Leicester could actually do with Gary Lineker on the pitch at the moment as goals are hard to come by.
Patson Daka did equalise an earlier Chelsea goal on Saturday, however, the away team then scored 2 more to inflict the defeat by a 3-1 score.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall did have a couple of good chances to score but ultimately it was another defeat for Little Brendan that leaves Leicester perilously close to the drop zone in 16th place with 24 points, from 26 games played.
Bournemouth who are the final team in the Bottom Three have 24 points, as do West Ham in 17th place.
In the season opener at the King Power Stadium, goals from Thomas Castagne and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall gave Leicester a lead with 44 minutes remaining.
Ivan Toney pulled a goal back for Brentford and with time running out, Josh DaSilva scored the equaliser for the away team to give both a share of the points from a draw by a 2-2 score.
The Archbishop was happy!
Betfred offer Brentford at Evens 1/1, the draw at 13/5 and 5/2 for Leicester to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Ivan Toney Scores First and 7/5 that Jamie Vardy Scores Anytime.
Home Win 2-1- Get 15/2 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
***
LIVERPOOL v FULHAM
Postponed due to Fulham’s participation in the FA Cup.
***
SOUTHAMPTON v TOTTENHAM
15.00 in England
Southampton host Brentford in a rearranged fixture before the visit of Tottenham, so two home fixtures in succession for the Southampton faithful to endure.
Poor Saints!
Tottenham are a strange team, one week they are comfortably beating Man City, West Ham and Chelsea and the next losing against Leicester, Wolves and Sheffield United.
Added to that, when goals are needed against AC Milan to try and overturn a 1-0 score from the 1st-leg, Antonio Conte sends on a Defender with 10 minutes remaining whilst the score is 0-0.
Ultimately, that didn’t work and Tottenham are out of the Champions League and FA Cup, with just a Top Four finish as the target.
A Harry Kane double plus a Son Heung-Min strike, gave Tottenham the home victory against Nottingham Forest on Saturday by a 3-1 scoreline.
Forest did score a consolation goal when it was 3-0 plus had a penalty saved by big Fraser Forster, which could have made the final few minutes exciting for the fans in attendance.
As mentioned, Top Four is the only target now and whilst it’s not a certainty, with Liverpool suffering a surprise defeat against Bournemouth, Tottenham increased the gap between them and Jurgen’s Reds to 6 points.
It’s actually Newcastle that are the nearest challenger, with Spurs sitting in 4th place with 48 points, Newcastle having 44 points and Liverpool with 42.
Tottenham have played 27 times though whilst, Newcastle have only completed 25 and Liverpool 26.
James Ward-Prowse scored 1st in the opener at the Chas and Dave Memorial Stadium back in early August 2022.
That was like a Red Rag to a Bull for Antonio’s Spurs who then smashed 4 goals in to get the victory by a 4-1 scoreline.
Ryan Sessegnon and Eric Dier with the 1st-half goals, followed by a Mohammed Salisu own goal plus a Dejan Kuluseveski strike after the break giving Tottenham all 3 points.
Betfred offer Southampton at 16/5, the draw at 13/5 and slight Odds On 4/5 for Tottenham to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/5 that James Ward-Prowse Scores Anytime and Evens 1/1 that Harry Kane Scores Anytime.
Away Win 1-2- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
***Premier League Team of the Week***
GOALKEEPER- Ederson- Man City
RIGHT-BACK- John Stones- Man City
CENTRE-BACK- Gabriel- Arsenal
CENTRE-BACK- Jan Bednarek- Southampton
LEFT-BACK- Ben Chilwell- Chelsea
MIDFIELDER- Martin Odegaard- Arsenal
MIDFIELDER- Bruno Guimaraes- Newcastle
MIDFIELDER- Jack Harrison- Leeds United
FORWARD- Gabriel Martinelli- Arsenal
FORWARD- Harry Kane- Tottenham
FORWARD- Kai Havertz- Chelsea
STAR MAN- Ederson- Man City
(Purely based on the fact that the Brazilian must have been bored rigid and very cold at Selhurst Park on Saturday!)
WOLVES v LEEDS UNITED
15.00 in England
Wolves suffered a defeat on Sunday, against Newcastle at St James Park.
After conceding a goal in the 1st-half to trail at the break, Hwang Hee-Chan scored an equaliser within a minute of coming on as a substitute.
Unfortunately, the Gold and Blacks couldn’t hold on for a point and conceded a late goal to ultimately suffer the defeat by a 2-1 scoreline.
Wolves sit in 13th place with the same 27 points as Crystal Palace but have played a game more (27) than the Eagles (26).
‘Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again, Leeds, Leeds are falling apart again.’
Whilst Leeds United did put in a great performance on Saturday afternoon, gaining a point from a draw by a 2-2 score, it didn’t prevent the Whites from dropping two places into the relegation zone.
Patrick Bamford got back on the score sheet with a superb strike to cancel out an earlier Brighton goal.
Then Jack Harrison scored 2 brilliant goals to earn Leeds United a point.
Now, most will be scratching their heads thinking,
‘Patrick’s goal plus 2 from Jack equals 3, so how was it a 2-2 scoreline?’
Well, Jack’s first strike was an own goal with the young Midfielder coolly slotting home to give the Seagulls a lead.
Mr Harrison did score in the right net with a superb strike to redeem himself.
The Archbishops’ favourite scoreline should have seen the Marching On Together crew in a jubilant mood but with Everton gaining a victory against Brentford, Javi Gracia’s Whites drop into the relegation zone sitting in 19th place with 23 points from 26 played.
The West Yorkshire puddings went off into the local pubs and clubs drinking the night away on Carlsberg Special Brew and Mad Dog 20/20 (Electric Melon flavour!)
Marching On Together.
(back to the Championship!)
Daniel Podence opened the scoring back in early August at Elland Rd, however, goals from Rodrigo and a Rayan Ait-Nouri OG gave Leeds United the opening day victory by a 2-1 scoreline.
Betfred offer Wolves at 5/4, the draw at 11/5 and 23/10 for Leeds United to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer slight Odds On 4/5 that Both Teams Don’t Score and 13/2 that there are Under 0.5 Goals.
Draw 0-0- Get 7/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
CHELSEA v EVERTON
17.30 in England
Sky Sports
Chelsea registered back-to-back Premier League victories in the game against Leicester on Saturday.
After the win against Leeds United last week, Graham Potter’s New Blue Wizards inflicted a defeat on the Foxes at the King Power, getting the victory from a 3-1 scoreline.
The Foxes’ old boy, Ben Chilwell scored the opener and celebrated wildly presumably because it appeared the lad was getting some stick from the home fans.
Kai Havertz then scored a superb goal lobbing the Leicester goalkeeper to give Chelsea a lead at the break.
The Foxes had scored to equalise Ben’s strike.
Mateo Kovacic added a 3rd midway through the 2nd-half to give Chelsea the win.
The Blues had progressed to the Quarter-Finals of the Champions League, overturning a 1-goal deficit against Borussia Dortmund by scoring twice at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea remain in 10th place in the Premier League table with 37 points from 26 fixtures completed.
The only way the faithful will require their passports next season is if Chelsea win the Champions League.
Everton gained a valuable victory on Saturday against Brentford, with Dwight McNeil scoring the only goal of the game to give Sean Dyche’s Toffees the points from a 1-0 score.
Dwight scored in the opening minute so Everton had to go the remaining 89 without conceding to earn the win and despite a few nervy moments, did just that.
The victory lifts Everton out of the relegation places and into 15th with 25 points but have completed 27 games, 1 game more than the others around them.
A Jorginho penalty in the 9th minute (9th!) of 1st-half stoppage time, was the difference between Frank Lampard’s ex-Blues and Frank Lampard’s New Blues back in the season opener at Goodison Park.
Both come into this fixture under the guidance of rare new English Managers, Sean Dyche versus Graham Potter.
Betfred offer Chelsea at Odds On 4/9, the draw at 16/5 and 13/2 for Everton to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 4/1 that Kai Havertz Scores First and 11/10 that Chelsea Win To Nil.
Home Win 2-0- Get 5/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
Sunday 19th
ARSENAL v CRYSTAL PALACE
14.00 in England
The Patrick Vieira Derby.
Arsenal reinstated the 5-point gap at the summit between themselves and Man City following a comfortable victory against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Two of the 3 Angels scored the openers for the Gunners before Martin Odegaard added a 3rd to give Arsenal a commanding lead at the break.
The 3rd Angel, Gabriel Jesus was introduced as a 2nd-half substitute following a long layoff resulting from an injury sustained whilst on duty for Brazil at Qatar’22.
Mr Jesus did have a couple of chances to score, however, the lack of game time was evident with the Striker showing signs of rustiness.
There weren’t any more goals in the 2nd-half with Arsenal gaining the victory by a 3-0 score.
Mikel’s Young Guns sit at the summit of the Premier League table with 66 points from 27 fixtures completed.
Five more than Man City with 11 games remaining.
As with the relegation battle, the top end will provide an exciting last third of a brilliant 2022/23 campaign.
Crystal Palace take on Brighton at the Amex before the Eagles fly the short trip over London to the Emirates.
It’s hoped for the Eagle Ultras’ sake that Mr Vieira has had the boys out on the training pitch practising shots on goal.
When Arsenal ventured over to South London in the 2022/23 season opener, Patrick’s Palace laid down and had their Eagles belly tickled by Mikel’s Young Guns.
Goals from Gabriel Martinelli and a Marc Guehi OG gave Arsenal the away night victory by a 2-0 scoreline.
It would have been a brave man (or woman) who would have predicted that come March 2023, 7 months and 26 games later, Arsenal are currently sitting at the Top of the Premier League.
Betfred offer Arsenal at Odds On 2/7, the draw at 15/4 and 8/1 for Crystal Palace to come away with all 3-points.
Betfred offer 7/5 that Gabriel Scores Anytime and Evens 1/1 that Arsenal Win To Nil.
Home Win 2-0- Get 5/1 on Betfred & Claim your new account welcome offer!
***
BRIGHTON v MANCHESTER UNITED
Postponed due to both teams’ participation in the FA Cup.
***
***
MAN CITY v WEST HAM
Postponed due to Man City’s participation in the FA Cup.
***
Saturday 28th February 1998
Game Week-28
BARNSLEY v WIMBLEDON
Oakwell
15.00 in England
The Wombles slash Crazy Gang ventured North to Oakwell for the first time in 10 years for this late February 1998 encounter against the Super Reds.
Wimbledon had smashed Barnsley by a 4-1 scoreline back in September 1997 at Selhurst Park which was the temporary accommodation for the Dons’ after the closure of Plough Lane.
This fixture at Oakwell had only occurred 6 times in the history of the two clubs, the first being in April 1978, which just happened to be the first time that John Newsome saw his beloved Barnsley FC live, aged 8 years old.
Back in 1978, Oakwell was a different set-up, with the Kop End, open and for the home fans.
Now, it’s strictly for the away supporters to sing and dance, plus has the luxury of a roof.
Spoiled!
For that first momentous occasion, armed with an Apple and a Mars Bar (definitely a lot bigger back then!) it was the 1st-half standing on the uncovered Kop and then at half-time, it was a walk round to the Ponte End.
Named because of the Pontefract Road adjacent to the ground.
As the years progressed, John stood on the corner of the West Stand/Ponte End, then in the late 1980s and early 1990s, stood solely on the Ponte End, which on most occasions was empty.
Joined on to the Ponte End was a Supporters Club where one could partake in a few pints before and after then walk in and out of the ground which was just metres away.
Great days, however, the Supporters Club was knocked down in the mid-1990s when the Ponte End was rebuilt and seating put in.
This is where one purchased a Season Ticket for the 1997/98 season in the Promised Land, paying £200 for 19 Home Games against the elite of English football.
Over the last week, Barnsley FC have just announced the prices for next season, which at the moment, it is unsure as to what Division the Reds will be in.
At the time of writing this, Barnsley sit in 4th place of League 1, with 66 points, 8 adrift of Plymouth who are in 2nd place, with the Reds having 2 extra games to play over the Pilgrims.
That said, this column has always stated that it is perceived better to have the points on the board than games in hand.
Sheffield Wednesday look to be favourites to win League 1, currently sitting at the summit with 77 points but play against Barnsley at Oakwell in a couple of weeks, live on Sky Sports.
The cheapest adult price for a season ticket at Oakwell next term start at £350, rising to £435, if purchased before the 2nd of May 2023.
After that, it rises to £437/£532.
Barnsley are pushing for promotion to the Championship and if not automatic, then the Play-offs look a certainty, however, Play-offs then become a lottery so promotion isn’t guaranteed and the season ticket prices then become expensive for a Division 3 club.
Back in late February 1998, Danny Wilson sent out the following legends against the Crazy Gang.
Barnsley-
David Watson, Nicky Eaden, Darren Barnard, Chris Morgan, Adie Moses, Peter Markstedt, Jovo Bosancic, Neil Redfearn, Jan Age Fjortoft, Clint Marcelle and Ashley Ward.
Substitutes-
Eric Tinkler for Peter Markstedt 46th Minute
Darren Sheridan for Jovo Bosancic 62nd Minute
The Wimbledon Manager, Joe Kinnear, sent out this set of Wombles.
Wimbledon-
Neil Sullivan, Kenny Cunningham, Dean Blackwell, Chris Perry, Ben Thatcher, Neal Ardley, Stewart Castledine, Michael Hughes, Vinnie Jones, Jason Euell and Carl Leaburn.
Substitutes-
Marcus Gayle for Stewart Castledine 68th Minute
It was the usual pre-match routine, up early on Saturday morning, put the Barnsley shirt on and the Levi 502s, one couldn’t afford the 501s due to paying for the new Youths nappies.
Then the Adidas Gazelles, after wiping the Chilli Sauce off from the previous week’s escapades.
Once again, to reiterate a constant point, there weren’t any Smartphones back then, no Wats App or messaging, it was just a jaunt into town and the usual boozer to meet up with anyone who had turned out.
The brilliant comedian Micky Flanagan does a well-known routine about being ‘Out/Out’.
John Newsome and the boys back in the 1990s would often have the ‘Out/Out’ conversation.
After the game, it would always be a few more pints, then the decision whether to go home for a shower and a splash of Brut and back Out/Out with the Night people or stay Out/Out.
‘You going out tonight or are you staying out?’
On most occasions one would stay out after the game until one couldn’t stand up anymore, as if one went home to change, one usually fell asleep and never returned.
After a couple of hours in the pub, it was a gentle stroll up to Oakwell for the game against Wimbledon with the added bonus of seeing the legendary Vinnie Jones, up close and personal.
John Newsome was a big fan of Vinnie and had the same shaved hairstyle back in the day.
Unfortunately, those days are long gone with John now being bald.
The Super Reds had suffered a defeat in the previous fixture against Coventry but the Red and White Army still had high hopes of a victory today against the Crazy Gang.
The Brazil tune was in full swing,
‘Bra-zil, it’s just like watching Brazil, it’s just like watching Brazil!’
As it turned out in the late Winter sunshine, it really was like watching the Samba Boys with Jan Age Fjortoft scoring twice, one in each half to give Barnsley a much-needed victory by a 2-1 scoreline.
Wimbledon did score when it was 2-0 but ultimately it was just a consolation and the Super Reds held on for the vital 3 points.
‘Bra-zil, it’s just like watching Brazil, it’s just like watching Brazil!’
Jan Age was superb throughout, with 2 great goals to win the game against a team that were just a few places higher with 7 points more than Barnsley.
It was then a stroll back into Town and a few more scoops deciding whether to go Out/Out or Stay Out.
John Newsome decided to see where the night went and inevitably it went into the legendary Nightclub, Japanese Whispers and a dance with the opposition.
‘Honestly love, Great Uncle Bulgaria and Tobermory were at Oakwell this afternoon, anyways another half of Cider?’
The Gazelles ended up in the same state as last week’s outing, covered in Chilli Sauce from the Kay Bab.
It was another Sunday hungover, pushing the Youth in the pram around Locke Park, then dinner at Joanie and Malc’s.
Those were definitely the days!
15-Wimbledon 32 pts (minus-2 goals)
16-Everton 30 pts (minus-8 goals)
17-Tottenham 30 pts (minus-18 goals)
18-Barnsley 25 pts (minus-39 goals)
19-Bolton 24 pts (minus-20 goals)
20-Crystal Palace 23 pts (minus-20 goals)
Home Win 2-1
The Glasgow Rivals had the weekend off in the Pub League as both Celtic and Rangers competed in the Scottish FA Cup.
Celtic comfortably got the victory over Hearts (who?) with Rangers progressing after inflicting a defeat on Raith Rovers (who?) both by the same 3-0 scoreline.
The draw for the Semi-Final won’t be made until after this column goes to print but it’s possible that there will be 2 hot and 2 cold balls in the bag, meaning that the person making the draw could keep Celtic and Rangers apart to possibly have a showpiece Old Firm Final at Hampden Park in May.
The other two in the draw, Inverness and one from Falkirk v Ayr, will do their utmost to prevent that but as this is a prediction site, John Newsome predicts that Celtic will face Rangers in the Scottish FA Cup Final, with the Green and White Hoops getting the chance to win the Scottish Treble, having already won the League Cup and with one hand and three fingers on the Premier League Title.
At the moment, there are 9 points between the Glasgow clubs, with 10 fixtures remaining, meaning Celtic will be crowned Champions at the earliest in 7 games time if both keep winning.
One of those 10 games is against each other, so it’s quite conceivable that the Green and White Hoops could be the 2022/23 winners of the SPL (Scottish Pub League) in 6 fixtures time.
Kylie/Braveheart and Lad over in Melbourne will definitely be spinning around if (when) that happens and will be in complete meltdown if (when) Celtic win the Scottish Pub Treble.
‘I’m spinning around, move out of my way, I’m losing it because Celtic are too good!’
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