Welcome to Issue 305 of Red All Over The Land.
This issue was at the printers while the international matches were being played so we can only hope there’s a clean bill of health when the players return. We’re going to need every one of them with the Champions League starting in its extended format, meaning it’s mainly a two game a week situation from now on. The new format probably won’t suit the coaching staff of a lot of clubs, but the money men will be rubbing their hands because the new style competition is not just an extension of the old formula but an extension of the cash cow that UEFA covet. It’s nothing more than a European Super League but in a different format to what some clubs, ours included, were proposing a few years ago.
We’ve only added one new player to the squad during the transfer window and shipped a few out for either decent money or for loan spells. The rumour mill linked us to an endless stream of players but as is the norm most of it was just space filling for the media circus. We were turned down by one player who preferred to stay at home but from all accounts Federico Chiesa couldn’t get to Anfield fast enough. The fee of circa £12m is loose change in the modern game but whether we’ve got a bargain only time will tell. As I’ve said before, I’d rather our club take the frugal approach than blow a billion or so in the way some clubs do.
Arne Slot could be in line for the first manager of the month award because the team has made a good start. I think it was expected that the first two games could bring maximum points but going to Old Trafford and winning the way we did possibly came as a surprise to many. So much so that even the FSG OUT brigade have lowered their pistols for now. The performance against Manchester United was superb and the final score only flattered the home side. Hopefully the feel-good factor will remain but the raft of games coming up could tell us more.
After the game in Mancunia Mo dropped a comment that became a headline about his future. The club needs to sort these things out, not just Mo but VvD, Ali and TAA as well. Delays without comment fuel discontent and turn that feel-good factor into something else and those aforementioned pistols won’t be lowered for long.
I don’t know whether it’s the Jürgen factor, cost of living or the change of government but subscriptions to Red All Over The Land have dropped by over 10% which is disappointing as subscriptions are the heartbeat of Fanzine publications. It’s not because people want the digital version because sales of the Flip Page version are close to non-existent. On the brighter side match day sales remain constant but we have the winter on the horizon. Ah well, life in Fanzine land ain’t easy.
JJP: Bob Dylan once said, The longer you live, the better you get. I must be close to perfection now surely.