So the new season is upon us and we start again from 0. Will this be a push on from 9th into European places, or is that wishful thinking, and should we be grateful for mid table consolidation and not worrying about relegation. I am normally an optimistic fella, but I can’t help but think we don’t yet have the squad to break into the top 6 and another top 10 finish would be a great result. If we can strengthen on the pitch using some youngsters and a couple more purchases, and develop off the pitch with stadium expansion, the next few years look hopeful and we can really push on. So, what has happened since I last put pen to paper (or finger to iPad I suppose) for the last thread. We have had a few signings … I am not sure Jack counts really, given he has been here 3 years, but at £15m from what I have read, that looks like a great deal and makes him ours. I have to admit having never really heard of Firpo, but a good left back will really help us and from what I have seen / read the link up with Harrison has started well. Klaesson looks like another good young keeper, and hopefully inspires more confidence than Kiko sometimes did…I was in the North Stand for the Derby play off semi final…. Plenty more for the U23s but I think we have an issue here…the jump from PL1 to the Premiership is a big one, and these boys have not successfully competed in PL1 yet, so I wonder if those calling for immediate squad inclusion are being over-optimistic, but I would love to be proved wrong. So as we go into this new season I look at the table and can see a number of teams that we should comfortably finish above: Burnley Brentford Brighton Crystal Palace Newcastle Norwich Watford Then there are the teams that I believe we can finish above: Everton Southampton Wolves Then there are the teams I think we will finish amongst: Arsenal Aston Villa Tottenham West Ham So, given that leaves some combination of the Manchester clubs, Liverpool, Chelsea and Leicester that I think will finish ahead of us, it means as well as predicting a riot, I can see anywhere between 6th and 10th for us. Even if things go wrong, and we pick up some key injuries I just cannot see how more than 3 of those I think we will comfortably beat can finish ahead of us….so no relegation worries really. So, where do I think we have gaps…. we have an excellent young keeper, and what looks like a great backup, no problems there 3 great, and 1 good centrebacks Ayling and Firpo look like quality fullbacks to me, although not sure if we get a long term injury what we do, beyond the inevitable answer of Dallas, which then leaves us short in midfield Phillips is world class, and really surprised (but delighted) we have not had a big offer made for him, but again, not sure we have back up there. Koch doesn’t do it for me (as they say!), and Forshaw not proven Wingers, we have Raphinia and Harrison, both excellent, and Poveda as back up…I like him, but just wish he wouldn’t try too hard…always seems to want to do it himself. Not sure Costa is up to it, or rather not up to it consistently…on his day he can be very good. Do we need another one? In the middle we have Klich, who seems to be getting back in the pace again, Dallas and Shackleton, although I am not really sure anymore what Jamie’s best position is, Bielsa seems to keep moving him around. We definitely need more creativity here. Up front we have Bamford, who I will come back to in a minute, Rodrigo and Roberts. I think the later two haven’t quite found their place yet, but for both of them I think they will come good this season. Tyler improved hugely last season and I think will keep going, if anything he needs a more consistent run out, and Rodrigo is class and shows moments of brilliance. So, back to Bamford - I have a worry here. Not that I think he is a bad player at all, I am a huge fan, the work he does off the ball is immense and when we play without him we lose shape. But I am concerned, I think he played out of his skin last season, and I am nervous it was because the crowds weren’t there…so when we are back, will the pressure tell on him…I hope not, and I am probably worrying over nothing, but there you go. All in all, not bad, but worried about depth and creativity…how will we break teams down when they park the bus…where does the magic come from? Get on with it, I hear you cry! On to the game then…let’s talk about Manchester United. I am not going to get personal, I am not going to name call, I don’t really understand fans who refuse to wear red for example. But it would be great to start with a win wouldn’t it. Given that Ole appears to be under some pressure to perform this season, he has just signed a new contract after all, and spent rather a lot of money, it would be a fantastic start to beat them, even if it is 0-1 with a 91st minute goal that came off Rodrigos arse (I bet you would get 200-1 at Paddy Power for that…you heard it here first!) I am not sure I really care about those glory hunter Man U fans, so I can’t even be bothered to research them, but I do know a few at work, so hoping Monday won’t be too bad in the office. Also, if I start listing players who have played for both clubs we are going to wonder why we sold Cantona and argue about Alan Smith, who is still a childhood hero of mine, so let’s not bother. But coming the other way Strachan was a fabulous signing. For them I am not sure Varane will be signed and ready, and Sancho won’t have trained much with them, so can’t see him playing. A lot of their team are only just back in training too. I see their key threats as Fernandes, so let’s hope Phillips can keep him in his pocket like he did at Elland Road last year, and not get dragged around the pitch like at Old Trafford, and Greenwood, who I would much rather be playing than say Rashford or Cavani (both of whom are unavailable). Don’t think Pogba will play either ...his move to PSG has fallen through, so what state will his head be in, and he didn’t play in either game last year…he can’t cope with our game. With Llorente and Shackleton being injured I expect the Leeds line up to be: Meslier Ayling Koch Struijk Firpo Phillips Raphinia Dallas Klich Harrison Bamford With a bench of Klaesson, Cooper, Forshaw, Poveda, Rodrigo, Roberts, Costa. I can’t see the kids on the bench for this game. On to the business end… I think we will start the season with more energy and a higher tempo and catch Man U out…I am predicting a 1-2 start to the season with Raphinia and Bamford scoring. The weather will be showery but not windy…still 18 degrees so only your kagoul needed…. I am predicting a win for two reasons. Firstly, I really think we can…we generally play a bit rubbish in pre season friendlies and then start the real thing well. More importantly, I have tickets for the Everton game so I really want to do the MDT for that one…so come on football gods…I will sacrifice a Man U supporting work colleague…. That’s enough football, we all know you have been waiting for a chart…. Here goes, let’s look at the power of civilisations over the last few thousand years in an infographic created in 1931 by John Sparks. It has some obvious flaws, there is definitely a Western bias to it, and given its age, some of the terms used maybe considered dated today, but it tells an interesting story or the rise and fall of powers. MOT ALAW

The final day of the season, and what a season it has been. I am not sure even the most confident of us back in August would have been thinking that with 2 games left to play we would have an outside chance of European football! I am glad we can’t finish 7th...I think the extra games in odd European countries might be a step too far for 2021/22, but hopefully in a years time we can experience the delights of continental nights once again. I was too young to have gone to those games last time round, so now as a fat, middle aged bloke it gives me something to look forward to. So it comes to pass that we face the West Bromwich Strollers, as they were originally called, at the church that is Elland Road. Fans return and I am sure the 8000 lucky ticket holders will raise the roof and make sure Big Sam gets a proper Yorkshire send off! But speaking of send offs it will also be a chance for fans to say good bye and thank you to two fantastic servants of the club. I, for one, am proud that Leeds rewarded Berardi with the contract extension after the injury, and I was both surprised and delighted to see him get his Premiership debut at Southampton, but I am sure I am not alone in thinking he is the future. We all thank the Beast of Elland Road for his dedication and wish him the best of luck for the future. As for Pablo, what can I say, the Magician has cast his spell over the last 5 years with 36 goals and 41 assists. I am sure we all remember the one at Swansea that almost guaranteed promotion, but there were plenty more that I loved. My younger daughter is gutted that she will no longer be able to sing about Pablo Hernandez who plays for United with Kiko Casilla....we wish him all the best upon his return to Spain for the birth of his 3rd child and whatever he does next. He will always be welcome at ER. The Baggies, fond of their Boing Boing chant, are bouncing back down, but I am sure we will see them again. However, it will be interesting to see how they rebuild, given most of their key players are currently on loan, and surely won’t be going down with them. Famous West Brom fans include the obvious choices of Frank Skinner and Adrian Chiles, but also: comedians Joe Lycet and Lenny Henry actress Julie Walters One Direction’s Liam Payne guitarists Eric Clapton and Ronnie Wood tennis players Gorman Ivanisovic and John MacEnroe former Speaker of the House of Commons Betty Boothroyd Team news from West Brom is that Pereira is likely out with an unspecified injury, and former Leeds player Robert Snodgrass and Inanovic are both still out. The Leeds team is likely to be a bit unusual this time too. We know Kiko will start, and Berardi and Hernandez are likely to. Llorente is injured and there are rumours about Phillips limping, but Bielsa says he is fine. Koch and Kilich have already been released to a summer break to relax before the Euros. I really do think the kids will get a chance in the second half too given everything else that is going on. I am expecting: Casilla Ayling Cooper Berardi Alioski Struijk Rafa Dallas Hernandez Harrison Bamford With a bench including Meslier, Phillips, Rodrigo, Roberts, Greenwood, Poveda and Davis Weather forecast is not good with plenty of rain and about 12 degrees, but plenty of 🍻🍻🍻 and a 🍹for TC. A mixture of heart and head says a 2-0 win with Hernandez and Bamford scoring and some flapping about on crosses from Kiko. But I predict a riot.... And the bit you have all been waiting for...the next instalment of ManxWhites favourite charts...a fairly well known one this time. During the Crimean War of the 1850s, Florence Nightingale used this data visualisation (now known as a polar area chart) to show that the majority of deaths were actually caused by poor hospital practices. The red shaded areas of the charts show deaths due to combat wounds, the blue show preventable deaths, and the black other causes. Nightingale’s medical expertise and hospital visits gave her insight to identify the bad medical conditions as the preventable cause of so much death. She went on to set the foundations of modern nursing. She was also elected to be a member of the Royal Statistical Society. Hopefully more charts to come next season.... MOT ManxWhite

So...we go again....a quick turnaround from the Burnley game for a long trip down to St Mary’s to play 14th place Southampton. Don’t forget to get home from work quickly as it is a 6pm kick off and it’s on Sky. I think the quick turnaround is no bad thing after a great display against Burnley. When you look at the stats it should have been a pretty even game...possession, shots etc were pretty equal...but we appeared to be a class above on the day. We were clinical, and that was great to see...let’s push on and see the ManxWhite bandwagon roll on to the end of the season and 59 points. We have every chance of finishing ahead of Arsenal and Everton, even if we don’t make 7th. Now, it turns out I don’t know much about Southampton, or their players it seems. So, as ever, I had a look on google....at least that cleaned up my browsing history a bit... My random fact of the day is Southampton were such a popular club in the early 1900’s a batch of their shirts were taken to Spain and that is why Athletico Bilbao and Athletico Madrid both play in red and white. Southampton were, like Leeds, a founder member of the Premier League, and like Leeds spent a number of years since then outside it, spending a year in League 1, but bouncing back with consecutive promotions. They have been pretty much a mid table side since then, flirting a couple of times with relegation and as high as 6th in 2016. They also hold the record (jointly with Ipswich) for the worst Premier League defeat at 9-0. So, in comparison we are doing pretty well in our first year back...not that we should necessarily judge ourselves against Southampton. Their recent form is a bit mixed, with 3-1 wins in the last two games against Fulham and Palace, losses to Liverpool and Spurs and a draw with Leicester, so not too shabby, but they have nothing to play for and I think we can handle them. We haven’t actually played at St Mary’s since 2012 when we lost 3-1 in the Championship. Famous Saints fans include: Pop star Craig David Chancellor Rishi Sunak Coldplay’s Will Chamberlain Naturalist Chris Packham Sprinter Iwan Thomas Glamour model Lucy Pinder (whoever she is....) Southampton appear to be without Smallbone, Bertrand and Bednarek. Leeds team news is that Koch and Klich will not play for us again this season and they are allowed to go early to International duty. A grand gesture from Bielsa, and I hope one we will not regret. I did wonder if there will be any reaction to the Alioski ‘incident’ but I think he will play. There seems to be a rumour about Hernandez playing, but not sure I can see that and I suspect Rodrigo will make the team instead of Tyler. I am predicting no youngsters making the starting XI again and we will go with : Meslier Ayling Llorente Struijk Alioski Phillips Rafa Dallas Harrison Rodrigo Bamford The bench looks a little thin with Cooper, Roberts and Hernandez. I really think at this stage of the season he will give some of the young ones a run out if things are going well...or badly come to think of it, given how El Loco changes things if he doesn’t like them! The weather will be cloudy with a small chance of rain, and little wind, and only a light jacket needed at 14 degrees... or more probably a beer and shirtsleeves watching it on telly. The big news where you are seems to be you can go to the pub so enjoy yourselves. The weather will suit our free flowing passing game and with the confidence from Saturday I am predicting a 1 - 3 result, with our goals from Bamford, Rafa and Rodrigo. And I know you will be all dying for the latest instalment of ManxWhites favourite charts...so I proudly give you....Government Spending....a simple way to show where our (your!) tax money comes from and goes...(not sure where the other £200bn of expense is, but at least 50bn would be debt interest)

Well, that was a great result against Spurs wasn’t it...and as predicted Gareth Bale didn’t like the rain! And Paddy Power paid me out at 13/5 for the win... Since then other results have been a bit mixed, the Everton Villa draw did us a favour, but Arsenal won. We have three games now that look okay on paper, but as they say, you don’t play games on paper. If we finish with three wins, we have an outside possibility of finishing 7th and qualifying for Europe. Well, I say Europe, it is the new Europa Conference...an odd league designed to “give more countries a chance to have their teams play in Europe”. Quite frankly I don’t want to be in Europe next year, an extra 15 potential games will not help, particularly with the small squad that Bielsa likes. But still, it would be great to finish the season with 3 wins, and hopefully finish eighth! So, onto Burnley, and Sean Dyche has been moaning about transfer budgets again...if only Burnley were a bigger club they could spend more money....in the 12 years since they got promoted player values have gone up hugely so I am not sure we can compare our £100m to what Burnley spent on promotion. I went to Turf Moor last January. I had booked a trip off the rock to see Leeds Millwall but hadn’t realised it was the FA Cup 4th Round weekend, and Millwall qualified, so I was in Leeds with a mate and no game. It turned out there was virtually no football in the north of England that weekend, so we went to Burnley vs Norwich in the cup. It was fecking freezing...the wind blew straight off the hills into the stand. The game wasn’t bad actually, and it was hard to understand why Norwich were bottom of the league as they beat Burnley playing some nice football that day. There were about 8,000 people in the ground, with the stand behind the goal being closed...the guys around us were friendly enough, but it all felt a bit lacklustre. It was nice to see some ex Leeds players though, with Wood and Lennon playing and Charlie Taylor and Bailey Peacock Farrell on the bench. I only knew one fact about Burnley before I went, and that was that the town is the worlds largest consumer of Benedictine, after the East Lancs Regiment was based in Normandy in the First World War. When we went to the bar in the stadium, after having a couple of pints in “The Royal Dyche” it was so cold we were tempted to try a Bene ‘n Hot. Not sure I will be rushing back.... Famous Burnley fans include: - Labour Spinmeister Alistair Campbell - Fast bowler James Anderson - Coronation Street actor Johnny Briggs - Antiques expert Eric Knowles - Weatherman John Ketley Apparently Snoop Dog and Prince Charles are both fans too...would love to see them at a game together... So, onto the game itself. Nick Pope appears to be out for Burnley (meaning Peacock Farrell is likely to play), and we seem to have a pretty full squad to pick from, with only Costa out, which will give Bielsa some dilemmas. Does he recall Cooper, or leave Struijk and Llorente in the centre, is Koch replaced by Phillips, and does the Energiser Bunny stay at left back after a great game last weekend? And that is before we get to the question of the youngsters. Being Bielsa I suspect we will get: Meslier Ayling Cooper Llorente Alioski Phillips Rafa Dallas Klich Harrison Bamford Which would give is a very strong bench including Rodrigo, Koch, Struijk, and potentially Roberts, although I would like to see Shack get a game too. Personally I think we will see Greenwood and maybe Somerville get 20 mins if things are going well. Weather forecast is wet, but not windy and about 11 degrees, but it will be warm at home watching the game on Sky. I am predicting 1 - 3 to Leeds with goals from Bamford, Rafa and Alioski, Wood scoring for them. Although the referee is Graham Scott who didn’t give the card against Baldock for the dreadful foul in the Blades game. Continuing my popular services of ManxWhites favourite charts, here is John Snows cholera map. It uses small bar graphs on city blocks to mark the number of cholera deaths at each household in a London neighbourhood. It proved that most of the households used the same well for drinking water, and scientists then started to understand water borne diseases. A proper sewerage system was then built and cholera epidemics virtually ended. MOT

Well, after a glorious run from Bull in April I wasn’t expecting to be stepping up to the plate so quickly....especially as a newcomer. We just weren’t on our game at Brighton, whether it was Kalvin not playing, a loss of concentration after the recent big games, or just a bad day at the office where nothing quite Kilched I am not sure what was Ayling us, but onwards and upwards.... Kick off against Spurs, with their Koch emblem, is 12:30 on Saturday, and the match is on BT Sport, so I better be joining fans around the world from here to Dallas in heading down the pub....or maybe Costas....enough of the name puns...they are getting desperate! Another match against one of the so called big six, the money grabbing ESL failures. Spurs have won trophies, but they are living on past glories with only an FA Cup win in 1991 and the League Cup in 2009 in the last 40 years. They are 9 points ahead of us after their win against the Blades with only 4 games left to play. If we can turn them over you never know...we could finish above them, but if they win it will help their European push, so this is still a game that counts. We have a long history of games against them and a mixed record, winning 32, drawing 29 and losing 37 of the 98 games we have played since the first match up in 1924. Recent league history doesn’t really help either with 5 losses and 1 draw in the last 6 meetings, although we did beat them 2-1 in the FA Cup in 2013 with Varney and McCormack scoring for us. Famous fans include: England cricketer Jonathan Trott Author JK Rowling Antony Costa of Blue Singer Adele Entertainer Bruce Forsyth Tory MP Iain Duncan Smith Dallas Cowboys player Brandon Carr Comedian Peter Cook Author Salman Rushdie On to the game itself...I am not quite sure what to expect to be honest. Will we see some of the impressive under 23s get some game time from the bench, or given that there is still a chance of a few places higher in the league (at around £2m a place it is worth having from a financial point of view too) will we see more of the same. Given it is Bielsa I suspect it is more of the same. I would like to see a run out for some of the young ones, I think we are likely to move some players on in the summer and we need to see if any of the under 23s are ready for the big step up just yet...it might save us £20m in transfer fees. We have Cooper back from suspension, so with Lloriente playing well, and Koch back to full fitness, it will be interesting to see who gets chosen. At this stage it seems we might have Rafa back, but no news on Phillips, so we might see Koch stepping in and Cooper returning to CB. Given the speed of the Tottenham attack, I would play Dallas at LB rather than Allioski. I would select this team, but given I am not an Argentine God what I think doesn’t really matter! Meslier Ayling Lloriente Cooper Dallas Koch Rafa Klich Harrison Roberts Bamford Given I am from the Isle of Man the only weather I know is wind and rain, so I am predicting you will get what we always have, with a temperature of 13 degrees, a stiff breeze and rain. This might help us and let’s see if the southern softies can handle the Leeds climate...Bale might have scored 3 against Sheffield, but the weather isn’t exactly forecast to be Madrid is it. Spurs had a good win against the Blades, but their recent form is not great with 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in the last 5 league games, and they didn’t look good in the Cup Final either. but I think there will be goals. I am predicting a 3-2 hard fought win for Leeds, with Paddy, Rafa and Tyler scoring for us. Roberts has been working hard and is due one. Quite frankly I don’t care who scores for them! Finally it is time to look up from pie charts, which are a really bad way of showing information to look at this fantastic chart by Charles Minard showing the progress of Napoleans advance on Moscow and subsequent retreat....we will have more luck in Europe in a couple of seasons time! MOT