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Key events
Here are Enzo Maresca’s comments from earlier, discussing the issue of player workloads.
“It’s a bit rich for the big clubs to complain about the schedule: they have two players for every position in their XI anyway, so why are they complaining about the number of games?” writes Andy Flintoff (not that one). “If they don’t want their stars to play 60 games, then only play them in 30, and play the other in their position for the remainder – it’s not rocket science. They’ve been hoovering up talent and building the big squads for precisely this reason.”
It’s worth making the distinction between clubs and the players themselves; it’s probably worth listening when individuals are talking about the impact of their workloads.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement is a happy man. His side are back at Ibrox this weekend, having not played there yet this season due to delays in the renovation of the Copland Road stand.
To be honest, it’s a buzz. You feel it in the building. I was there yesterday because there was something commercial there to do and you get a special feeling coming back there. I know it’s the same with all the players. I feel it already this week in the training. It gives something extra and I think it will with all the fans also. It’s like coming home after a really long time. It felt like we haven’t been there for 10 years or something. It’s not that long but we have that feeling so we’re really happy that we can be back there.
I enjoy Ange Postecoglou’s view of the world. Here he is defending his new signing Dominic Solanke, while recognising he shouldn’t actually have to. Solanke has played three games for Spurs and is still waiting for his first goal. Postecoglou admits the club had an eye on Ivan Toney in the summer but says Solanke was the preferred choice. Quotes courtesy of PA.
We did look at him [Toney] but I have said, Dom was the one I wanted and it took pretty much the whole summer to get him in because he was the one who fitted the profile of what we were looking for at the time.
People are just so quick to judge, mate. It’s a small sample. The guy has played less than two games for us. If he has gone 15 games without a goal then I can answer that question or 15 games where he hasn’t contributed, but I just think take a breath. Do a bit of yoga. Think about the world for a second and make an assessment after that.
We don’t have to rush to make judgement all the time because the alternative is he may have got off to a great start, he is fit, scored in all four games, is flying and then he goes through a patch like all strikers where he doesn’t score.
What I look at is he has come in, fitted really well and quite logically has picked up an injury that has disrupted the way he wanted to start his career, but he’s still got plenty of time for that.
Back to the chat about favourite stadium walks – here’s Tom Gould:
The beauty of being a Liverpool supporter is the build up to a home game. Walking through the city centre, passing the hordes of Norwegians. Their arms laden with bags filled with memorabilia purchased from the club shop in Williamson Square and tired after walking around aimlessly since arriving on the 8:30am flight from Oslo.
Being accosted by several burley Irishmen asking “Scuse me, d’ya know how to get to Anfield?” Then watching as they alight from the bus and make their way into the ground, continuing the journey home remembering back in the day when you could actually get a ticket!
Not a football walk, but I was at Sophia Gardens to cover England’s T20I against Australia last Friday. That was really lovely, making my way through Cardiff city centre before walking alongside the River Taff, through the park and into the ground, under the late-summer sun. Would recommend.
Tom Garry
The Women’s Super League has agreed a one-year deal for ESPN to broadcast live overseas television coverage of the division this season in three specific regions, Guardian Sport can reveal.
The agreement will see ESPN exclusively to show the WSL live in all of the United States, South America and the Caribbean, in addition to highlights rights.
The new deal begins with live coverage of Friday night’s opener between defending champions Chelsea and Aston Villa on ESPN+. The value of the deal has not been disclosed.
Fulham have released a statement regarding the BBC’s investigation into the former club owner Mohamed Al Fayed, who has been accused of rape and sexual assault by multiple women.
We are deeply troubled and concerned to learn of the disturbing reports following yesterday’s documentary. We have sincere empathy for the women who have shared their experiences. We are in the process of establishing whether anyone at the Club is, or has been, affected. Should any person wish to share information or experiences relating to these allegations, we encourage them to contact the Club, at safeguarding@fulhamfc.com, or the police.
John Brewin has run through the key points from week one of Bigger Cup:
Marc Skinner has been talking about his new-look Manchester United side before their WSL season opener against West Ham. They’ve lost Mary Earps to PSG, and club captain Katie Zelem joined Angel City.
Despite winning the FA Cup last year, United dropped to fifth in the WSL having finished runners-up the previous season. Quotes courtesy of PA.
In pre-season I’ve seen a fresh commitment, an energy, adaptable skill, more physicality. I think in the big games we lacked a bit of physicality that the other teams had and at times we would get overran and we had to defend effectively in last-ditch stuff.
When you bring in new players it re-energises the group so I feel you have that psychological energy. Overall, we feel like we’re together again like it was in my first season and the second season. It feels like we are all pushing in the same direction. I speak openly about that second season where we finished second, had an incredible season, only lost three games and sometimes it can put you in a space where you don’t want to be and we had a hangover of that last season while still creating history. That’s gone and they’re fresh again.
Ange Postecoglou gives a few team updates for Tottenham before their game against Brentford tomorrow. Yves Bissouma should be good to feature; he missed the north London derby with a groin injury. Richarlison remains injured – “he’s a fair way off” – while Wilson Odobert will miss out with a hamstring problem.
Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, also speaks about potential strike action from the players.
“In terms of games, it’s too much. I don’t think we protect players. But the only ones that can do something are the players. Because we can say what we think, for me it’s completely wrong the amount of games that we have, but the only ones that can do something are the players and we can help them. I think in the last week, some of the players they’ve tried to explain or to say what they think and I think it’s a good starting point.”
Despite those comments, he doesn’t expect any of his players to request to be left out of a match if they feel as if they’re playing too much. “It’s not going to happen,” he said. “Since they were very young, they train and they work and the dream was to be football players, they are not going to say ‘I don’t want to play’.” This is not going to happen. Can happen, something different. But all the players they want to play the games.”
Here’s what our very own Will Unwin grabbed from the Guardiola presser:
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City have an “advantage” over Arsenal by not having to travel for their opening Champions League match and having an extra day’s rest after the Gunners played Atalanta in Italy on Thursday night.
“It’s an advantage but I’ll make a list of the last six years how many times it has happened to us,” Guardiola said. “I have a huge list to show you but of course it is an advantage.” City were held to a goalless draw by Inter on Wednesday.
Guardiola added that if anything is to change with the hectic schedule, it will have to come from the players after Rodri suggested they are opening to going on strike to protest against the number of matches.
“If something is going to change, it must come from the players,” Guardiola said. “They are the only ones who can change something. The business can be without managers, sporting directors, media, owners but without players you cannot play. They alone have the power to do it.”
Hello, all. Pep Guardiola’s about to speak to the press – let’s hear what he’s got for us ahead of the big one: Arsenal on Sunday.
Andoni Iraola says Bournemouth will “at least give it a go” at Anfield and backs Evanilson to break his scoring duck and bounce back from his penalty miss against Chelsea. “I know what it’s like to miss a penalty. I think he’ll forget it and continue performing well.”
And with that, I’ll hand you over to Taha Hashim to guide you expertly through the afternoon.
Back to the hot pre-match stroll talking point: “There’s only one in contentio,” reckons Gary Jones, “the walk through Aston Park, past the Jacobean Mansion of Aston Hall, just as Villa Park and the magnificent Holte End come into sight. Aston Parish church is there to the right and the crowds walking to the ground along Trinity Road below you – absolutely magical.” I guess we’re duty bound to shout up the Bishop’s Park riverside ramble to Fulham at some point too.
Here’s another stereotype defying one – Stoke. Sure, it’s an identikit out of towner in some respects, but the stroll back to the station via the canal, and the oatcake boat, is highly recommended.
And some more from Eddie Howe’s presser, from Louise Taylor, with the Newcastle manager eager to turn the focus away from workplace politics off the field and on to his side’s bright start on it and their prospects.
“I don’t see how we can currently compare ourselves to Manchester City and Arsenal,” he said. “But the aim is to get there, the aim is to close the gap; that’s what I’m working towards every day, every week.”
It’s been a limp start to the season for West Ham, under new manager Julen Lopetegui, and Jacob Steinberg has run his expert eye over a team yet to click into gear:
There is faith that everything will come together. Lopetegui has managed at the highest level and impressed during his brief spell at Wolves. For now, though, the vibe is underwhelming. West Ham have invested too much to accept standing still.
Premier League: four things to look out for this weekend, and indeed every weekend, with our old mate Krishna Moorthy:
A few things are certain
1. Man City is to EPL today what Real Madrid is to Big Cup since forever
2. Sean Dyche will be praying that his team does not get a 2-0 lead
3. Chelsea will be happy so long as they don’t lose
4. Ten Hag will be forever expecting to be shown the door marked do one
Back to stadium walks: “Biased perhaps,” says Richard Miah, “but as a Newcastle fan, that journey through the city centre to the cathedral on the hill is something to behold.
“Without wanting to add further woe to their current situation, Reading’s has to be the worst. A cold, damp, packed bus ride back through barren land back to the city centre after a midweek 0-0 (with Newcastle) was particularly harrowing.”
Yeah I was at Reading last Saturday – traffic, traffic everywhere, even for just a 12,000 crowd, though I’d recommend the Grey Friar pub. And the centrality of St James’ Park to the life of Newcastle city centre is indeed a thing to cherish. Long live city centre stadiums.
To matters on the field at Manchester United, Erik then Hag is hoping the emphatic dismissals of Southampton and Barnsley give his team something to build on as they head to Crystal Palace tomorrow, reports PA Media, and particularly a confidence boost for the likes of Marcus Rashford.
“It’s very good, of course, that your strikers, that they are starting to score when the season is very young,” Ten Hag said. “Strikers, they need that belief, and we have now a couple of players who are, in the meanwhile, on the scoring list. It is very good for a team, because that will strengthen their belief, and they will go for more and they will score more goals now.”
Alejandro Garnacho and Christian Eriksen joined Rashford in scoring twice against League One Barnsley on a night when Antony marked his first start of the season with a goal from the spot. The 24-year-old winger had only previously appeared off the bench late in the loss at Brighton.
“I think every player should give those reactions,” Ten Hag said of Antony. “You have to train hard, you have to perform in training, you have to earn the right to play, and when the moment is your chance, you have to take it. But, yeah, the manager can only pick 11 players, and then can make five subs, so make sure you are with those 16 players for every game.
“And you do it by on a consistent basis perform in training, and, of course, that’s the most important when the chance is there you have to perform in a game. You have to contribute to a winning team.”
United will check on Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount before travelling as the pair returned to training this week. Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof and Leny Yoro also remain absent.
Nottingham Forest are in upbeat mood, and they’re another club touting big stadium development plans, with talk from the owner, Evangelos Marinakis, of raising the City Ground’s capacity to 50,000. As long as they stay put – that walk from the station over the Trent is one of the great pre-match walks. What are your fave stadium approaches?
Gary O’Neil speaks, as he seeks to engineer a reversal in Wolves’ poor early season form when they face Villa. First, on the injury situation, he says he needs to check on the fitness of Toti and Rayan Ait-Nouri later today in training, but has no other new concerns. There are, he adds, “a few tired bodies off the back of a high intensity game on Wednesday [in the loss to Brighton in the League Cup].
Of the team’s results, he adds: “There’s a lot of frustration in the building at the moment because, of course the fixtures are difficult, but we’ve shown we’ve got good enough players and we’ve given ourselves opportunities in all of the games to take results but little bits and pieces in them are really costing us. No feeling sorry for themselves just a frustraiton about finding a way to do better.
“We’ve conceded lots from outside the box and really low shot values at the minute but that won’t continue if we keep playing the way we are but we have to deal with situations better in the one v ones and when teams are 30 yards from goal. Teams are not ripping us open apart from the Chelsa game when we lost our way.”
Man Utd enlist architects to develop Old Trafford masterplan
Architecture and morality news: Manchester United have named the architects they’ve enlisted to design the revamp of Old Trafford, which they may or may not be tapping up the taxpayer for. This from PA:
Manchester United have appointed Foster + Partners to develop a masterplan for the area surrounding Old Trafford as part of their ambitious regeneration project. The Premier League club are looking either at redeveloping the nation’s largest club stadium, or to build a new one on adjacent club-owned land.
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe favours a new ground and the Old Trafford Regeneration Task Force is understood to have centred its discussions on building a new 100,000-capacity stadium rather than redeveloping the existing ground.
The club have now appointed Foster + Partners “to develop a masterplan for the Old Trafford Stadium District, covering the Club-owned land that surrounds the existing stadium”.
The architectural practice is already overseeing the £50million modernisation of the Carrington Training Complex and United stressed in Friday’s statement that “the stadium itself will not form part of this exercise”.
The club say the ground “design will begin once the club has decided on the development options” but “a world-class stadium will ultimately sit at the heart of this ambitious new masterplan”.
Before Ratcliffe came onboard, architects Populous and management consultants Legends International looked at options for a new stadium or redeveloped one having been appointed stadium masterplanners in April 2022. Foster + Partners worked with Populous on Wembley Stadium and Lusail Stadium, the host of the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar.
Alisson a major doubt for Liverpool with muscle problem
Over at Liverpool’s training ground, Alisson is a notable absentee from the session currently in progress, after that muscle injury he picked up against Milan on Tuesday. He’s now a major doubt for tomorrow’s home match against Bournemouth. Harvey Elliott also remains absent as he continues his recuperation from a fractured foot. Bournemouth’s Dango Ouattara is also a doubt.
Thanks Dave. So, shall we talk about Manchester City v Arsenal or about crisps? … Thought so, crisps it is. And time to put a word in for Seabrooks (I’m something of a spiritual northerner – if an actual southerner – on these matters), and the Irishman in me demands a shout out for Taytos.
Right with that tip of the hat to my future commercial partners done, back with football: we’ve not heard from Southampton yet so here’s some nuggets from Russell Martin, via PA Media, as Russell Martin admitted Southampton are still trying to find their rhythm in the Premier League, languishing second from bottom at this point going into their match against fellow promotees Ipswich.
He said: “I’m convinced we will get better and keep improving, and the more time the players have on the pitch together, on the training pitch together, the better they’ll become because that’s the evidence we have after five years of being a management team as well.
“I think it was the case last season, which was a bigger change. We were trying to implement something totally different to the players. Now a lot of them understand it but then we still have a lot of new guys who have come in. Then also us adapting to the Premier League and that’s been interesting for us to learn. Certain bits that really were effective in the Championship, maybe less so in the Premier League against certain opposition, it’s the stuff we have to tweak and adapt.
“So we’re finding our rhythm, as well as the players, and I’m loving that part of the process. I think the players are enjoying playing around with stuff on the training pitch and working stuff out for themselves as well, so they’re a big part of that.
“We will keep learning, we will keep adapting but whilst remaining us. I said that to the players on Tuesday [after the win over Everton in the Carabao Cup]. I was really grateful for that performance and really proud of them. Also the resilience they showed with the penalties, conceding the goal, coming back from that and that was the most pleasing thing.”
Time for me to eat some Salt & Vinegar crisps and hand you over to Tom Davies. Enjoy.
And how about another Opta fact ahead of Sunday’s showdown between Manchester City and Arsenal.
Arsenal haven’t trailed in any of their last 11 away league games and could become the first side in Premier League history to go 12 successive matches on the road without falling behind in any (Aston Villa – also 11 between March and November 1998). Arsenal kept a clean sheet in both Premier League meetings with Man City last season, having conceded at least once in their last 16 against the Citizens beforehand (40 goals in total).
As noted in the preamble, both sides go into the match on the back of 0-0 draws in the Champions League. I mean, If you want to go and walk the dog on late Sunday afternoon (4.30pm kick-off), don’t feel too concerned about missing much.
Sort of a fun fact. But kinda not if you’re an Everton fan.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored in 14 Premier League defeats for Everton, including in his last two games against Bournemouth and Aston Villa. That’s the most games scored in and lost for the Toffees in the competition, one ahead of Duncan Ferguson who lost 13 times when scoring for Everton.
Football questions about Erling Haaland, the WSL, Forest winning at Anfield and Italia ‘90 in this week’s Sports Quiz. Surely you can beat my modest 9 out of 15.
More from Eddie Howe now. The Newcastle boss has been talking about his side’s promising start to the season which has yielded 10 points out of 12 despite the Magpies not always producing their best football.
Howe said: “There can always be an over-reaction to both ways at this stage of the season. If you start poorly, there can be an over-reaction, and if you start well, there can possibly be an over-reaction too. For us, it’s about just staying very calm and trying to win every game we play. The next game is always the focus.”
That next game is away at Fulham and with Manchester City hosting Arsenal on Sunday, Newcastle fans could be singing ditties about being top of the league on the journey home from London if their team take all three points.
“It would be nice for us (going top). It’s a great motivation for us this weekend. Of course, it means nothing because it’s so early, but that’s where we want to be,” said Howe.
Asked how far away his team is from City and Arsenal, he added: “I don’t see how we can compare ourselves to them currently. But the aim is to get there, the aim is to close the gap every day, every week. That is what we are working towards. That has to be our aim, our longer-term aim and short-term aim, and that is what I am trying to work towards.”
Brighton are one of just five unbeaten teams in the Premier League after four rounds of matches and new boss Fabian Hurzeler is keen to stress that he has strength in depth in terms of goalscoring.
Joao Pedro’s absence seemed to be felt during last week’s 0-0 draw with Ipswich but Hurzeler says there are plenty of others who can stick the ball in the net. And it’s for that reason why he won’t rush the Brazilian back after the striker was injured on international duty.
Ahead of the the home game with Nottingham Forest, another of the ‘unbeaten after four matches’ club, Hurzeler said of Pedro: “He will train today with the team and then we have to see how it’s going: if he can train fully, if he can do all the movements. Of course we won’t take any risks but he will be part of the training today.
“It would be easy as a coach to say we miss Joao Pedro and if Joao Pedro would have played against Ipswich we would have won but it’s not my way of working or my philosophy. It’s very important that not only we know but also the opponent knows that we have several players with the ability to score, with the ability to make the difference.
“Every team in the Premier League has this key player, this player who makes a difference, and in our way it’s Joao Pedro. But we also have other great players who can make the difference. “We have (Kaoru) Mitoma, he can make the difference, Simon can make the difference, (Yankuba) Minteh can make the difference, Danny Welbeck already scored, we have now Georginio Rutter, we have Evan Ferguson, we have young players in the midfield like Carlos and Yasin (Ayari), they all have the ability to score.
“We have to make them score, we have to help that they increase their percentage of making assists, of making goals, and that’s our job to develop them and to make a team who is not only fixed on one player.”
European clubs are becoming increasingly concerned and frustrated with FIFA’s planning for the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup next summer.
As first reported by The Athletic, the PA news agency understands FIFA president Gianni Infantino is meeting with broadcasters on Friday. So far no rights deals in any part of the world have been announced in relation to the tournament, nor have any sponsors, match or training venues been confirmed with less than nine months to go until the event in the United States is due to start.
Manchester City and Chelsea, as winners of the 2023 and 2021 Champions Leagues respectively, are the English representatives. Clubs are understood to see the next few weeks as critical and are demanding to see progress made on the commercial side.
There is deep frustration that despite FIFA entering a joint venture with the European Club Association (ECA) on selling the competition’s commercial rights, FIFA has so far acted unilaterally and only now, with time running out, is seeking input from the clubs. Clubs remain cautiously supportive of the concept but clearly have concerns over revenue, and are understood to have privately sought direction over when they should start planning for pre-season tours instead.
(PA Media)
It’s 20 years to the day since the passing of Brian Clough. Here’s something from the archives.
Look, Graham Arnold has flamin’ had enough. He’s quit as Australia coach. In his six-year reign, Arnold led the Socceroos to their best-ever finish at a World Cup and two quarter-final exits at the Asian Cup.
We’ve reached West Ham in our pre-season WSL previews. Take a read…
No 11 here. You can dig out the rest!
Liverpool boss Arne Slot doesn’t seem to get phased by much and that applies to fixture lists too. The home game against Bournemouth on Saturday is the Reds’ third of a seven-match sequence in just 22 days but Slot doesn’t find it unusual.
“In Holland we also have Eredivisie, so we (Dutch teams) also play games at the weekend and also play Champions League and Europa League so we also play in the week. There is only one difference and that is the upcoming week when we play the League Cup so until now I’ve not seen anything I wasn’t used to at my former club.
“The Premier League has four extra games compared to the Eredivisie and also the League Cup, that’s the main difference, but from the start until now I think we have played as many games as my former club and hat’s not an issue for me.
“But the main difference between the Premier League and every other league in Europe – and you all know – is we have to play during Christmas and new year. In those moments that is the biggest difference between this league and all the other leagues.
“AC Milan had to play the weekend, they have to play Tuesday and they will also play the weekend. But the strength of the league, the quality of the league, the quality of Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth that is much higher than if you play an Eredivisie team that doesn’t play for the top-six positions. That is where it makes a difference.”
Let’s talk Power Rankings and, specifically, those relating to the MLS. You might click on this based out of Messi-based curiosity; you’ll exit shaking your head about the exploits of Christian Benteke.
In Crisps Power Rankings, two strong entries here.
Adam Griffiths: “Best crisps, are we? Pickled onion monster munch for the win.”
Andy Barrett: “The best crisps ever were Brannigan’s roast beef and mustard. Sorely missed.”
Isak could miss Newcastle trip to Fulham
Alexander Isak is a doubt for Saturday’s trip to Fulham after the Newcastle striker suffered eye and foot injuries in last Sunday’s 2-1 victory against Wolves at Molineux.
Giving an update this morning, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said: “I’ll find out more today. It was a strange one with his eye. The ball just grazed his eye and we felt at that time, that was the main reason for him coming off the pitch. Then he had a knock to his foot as well, so he’s got a combination of the two. We’ll make a decision today.” Anthony Gordon could switch from the left to a central role if Isak is ruled out.
I’m tempted to turn this into 10 best crisps (Seabrook Salt & Vinegar the best, although those Salt & Vinegar twirly ones from M&S are incredibly moreish) but, instead, there’s this:
On footballers/crisps and the idea that Alisson is made of Kettle chips (see 09.32), Nick Smith emails: “They are rugged, handsome crisps mind. Like McCoys extra ridged.” Good point.
Roll up, roll up, step right this way, it’s the start of the new Women’s Super League season. Suzanne Wrack sets the scene.
Chelsea will get the season under way against Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow. The champions have been in impressive form in pre-season. Their squad is packed with world-class talent and the new manager, Sonia Bompastor, is keen to maintain Emma Hayes’s legacy of winning while in transition. Can they do it? There is no reason why not, particularly if Arsenal and Manchester City qualify for the Champions League group stage and are grappling with three high-intensity games a week.
Arsenal dug out a 0-0 Champions League draw away to Atalanta last night, the highlight that miraculous double save from David Raya from the hosts’ second-half penalty. Our Ed Aarons was at the Gewiss Stadium.
Alisson injury doubt for Liverpool
And we open with news from Liverpool where Alisson could miss the Reds’ home game with Bournemouth. Anfield boss Arne Slot says he will see if Alisson can train today. If not, he’ll be sidelined. The problem is hamstring tightness. It was once said of super-talented but injury-prone Daniel Sturridge that he was made from crisps. Alisson isn’t quite in that bracket but the Brazilian misses far more games than the average goalkeeper. Made from kettle chips perhaps? Strange that his replacement, Caoimhín Kelleher, looks far more fragile.
Of course, it shouldn’t be lost on us that Alisson was one of the high-profile stars talking about players being overworked and not listened to over scheduling when he spoke to the press ahead of Liverpool’s 3-1 win in Milan.
Preamble
Too much football? Pah! How can anyone say that when last season’s, and indeed this season’s, top two – Manchester City and Arsenal – lock horns at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon? Bring it on! Both these footballing sides whetted our ravenous footbally appetites for this virtual title-deciding football blockbuster with … erm, hang on … 0-0 draws in the Champions League this week. But, forget that, how about their last meeting when … oh yeah, awks … Arsenal parked the bus in another goalless draw.
Let’s just say we’ve been warned and not put all our enjoyment eggs in one basket marked Sunday 4.30pm. Prior to that we’ve all sorts to get tucked into top flight-wise and it looks set to start in bright fashion with inconsistent West Ham hosting unpredictable Chelsea in the Premier League’s early Saturday offering.
But before even that it’s the start of the new Women’s Super League season, beginning with a strangely Emma Hayes-less Chelsea hosting Aston Villa tonight at 7pm.
We’ll have build-up to all the weekend football action, including football team news, hot football facts and football managers saying stuff. Let’s do this…