Advertisement

# talking point

Last week
12th March 2023 - 18th March 2023
# talking point
Duff's Shelbourne impress with Mourinho-esque display
Stephen Bradley’s Shamrock Rovers were left frustrated at Tolka Park on Friday night.
This month
March 2023
# talking point
Are Manchester United back?
The Red Devils won the first trophy of the Erik ten Hag era last weekend and face another big test at Liverpool today.
Last month
February 2023
# talking point
Real Madrid deliver the final, brutal blow to Liverpool's broken team
A 5-2 hammering from their nightmare opponents marked a shattering end for a once-great Liverpool team.
# talking point
Guardiola rescues City from his own tactical fumble in huge win over Arsenal
A 3-1 win at the Emirates returned City to the top of the Premier League.
# talking point
Liverpool must prove Everton win is not just another false dawn
A 2-0 win at Anfield marked Liverpool’s first win of 2023.
This year
2023
# talking point
What has happened to Liverpool?
Jurgen Klopp’s men will be desperate for three points against Chelsea today after hitting new lows away to Brighton last weekend.
# talking point
Is another Premier League club set to become a sportswashing project?
Qatar Sports Investments reportedly met with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy last week.
Last year
2022
# talking point
Difficult spell for Gavin Bazunu but he has the temperament to come through it
The Irish international has had an uncertain start to his career at Southampton.
# talking point
The bittersweet feeling of watching Lionel Messi
The 35-year-old fulfilled a lifelong ambition by winning the World Cup on Sunday, but some will have felt conflicted when observing the star in action.
# talking point
Why England's latest World Cup exit feels at once familiar and unprecedented
Harry Kane’s penalty miss summed up a night in which France enjoyed the better fortune.
# talking point
The big decision facing Gareth Southgate ahead of France showdown
England are aiming to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966.
# talking point
The simple reason why Southgate is succeeding where past England managers failed
The Three Lions’ most successful coach since Alf Ramsey has received some recent criticism for his selections.
# talking point
Watching English media cover their team through Irish eyes can be baffling - but it's far from an anomaly
Gareth Southgate has endured strong criticism of late for his approach to games.
# talking point
Ronaldo only has himself to blame for ignominious Man United departure
The Red Devils confirmed the star’s departure on Tuesday evening.
# talking point
Groundhog day at the Aviva
It was another disappointing night for Stephen Kenny as Ireland suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Norway.
# talking point
Has Cristiano Ronaldo changed or is it football that has moved on?
The Portuguese star has come under fire recently after refusing to come on against Tottenham.
# talking point
Is the old Matt Doherty back?
The Irish star has started the last two Premier League matches for Tottenham.
# talking point
Amber Barrett interview epitomises why sport matters
The Ireland striker paid an emotional tribute to the victimes of the Creeslough tragedy after the game.
# talking point
For the first time, Liverpool will face Man City more in hope than expectation
Jurgen Klopp has been forced to reformat his side to deal with their depleted energy levels – the visit of City may come too soon for them.
# talking point
Why Man City's beautiful brilliance is bad for football
Pep Guardiola’s side were far too good for their biggest rivals last weekend.
# talking point
Man United's tactical dilemma ahead of City showdown
Is it too big a risk for Erik ten Hag to play both Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes against the reigning champions?
# talking point
Contrasting treatment of Kenny and Southgate shows football is more than just a results business
The reactions to the two managers are a window into their respective national team’s psyches, writes Paul Fennessy.
# talking point
Is too much made of Ireland's lack of Premier League starters?
There were just two top-flight regulars in Stephen Kenny’s team to face Scotland.
# talking point
Erling Haaland battle will be the latest test of Nathan Collins' true potential
As one of Ireland’s brightest hopes faces the most devastating striker in the Premier League, just how high is the Leixlip native’s glass ceiling?
# talking point
Premier League fails to grasp football's true purpose with decision to postpone games
All of the weekend’s football in England has been called off, but other sports will play on.
# talking point
Crazy summer spending exposes the Premier League for the TV show that it is
Premier League clubs spent almost £2 billion between them over the summer.
# talking point
Perception matters as Brendan Rodgers finds passing of time could soon leave him behind
With Leicester City in a rut, games against Manchester United and Brighton this week provide stark reminder of how quickly tide can turn.
# uncertainty
Cristiano Ronaldo dilemma contains echoes of Roy Keane's infamous Old Trafford exit
The Man United star was dropped for last Monday’s match with Liverpool.
# talking point
Erik ten Hag already showing signs of struggle amid the Man United omnishambles
Can the former Ajax manager find success in a dysfunctional sporting strucutre?
# talking point
No hiding place for Steven Gerrard as pressure intensifies at Aston Villa
Gerrard’s Villa started with a terrible loss to promoted Bournemouth, and he is under scrutiny having stripped Tyrone Mings of the captaincy.
# talking point
Will the gamble of buying Erling Haaland backfire for Man City?
The Norwegian striker is unlike any other forwards City have signed,
# talking point
Ireland's man of the match wants more
21-year-old Nathan Collins shone in his side’s draw with Ukraine.
# title race
History is likely to repeat itself on Sunday, but don't rule out final-day drama
While Manchester City and Liverpool would both be worthy Premier League champions, there could yet be a faller at the last, writes John Brewin.
# talking point
Clubs embrace chaos as survival fight reaches a dramatic conclusion
Everton, Leeds United and Burnley all face relegation with varying degrees of consequence waiting for them.
# talking point
Gerrard has failed to inspire at Aston Villa but surely he will avoid relegation catastrophe?
“I’m concerned about Villa every minute of every day and I’ll continue to be concerned and focused for every minute moving forward.”
# talking point
Ten Hag's power will only diminish from this point, it's why he must be decisive
Time is already against the new Manchester United manager if he is to be successful at Old Trafford, but so much is still out of his hands.
# talking point
Do Pep and Klopp really need a Treble to surpass Ferguson's achievements?
Man City and Liverpool meet in the FA Cup semi-final, and it will see one club’s hopes of matching United’s historic success of 1999 come to an end.
# talking point
Believe the hype - Sunday's showdown could ultimately decide the title race
Man City host Liverpool in a top-of-the-table clash, with both sides in superb form.
# talking point
England tried to destroy Beckham, now United fans must stand by Maguire
Hearing Old Trafford back their captain could also be the catalyst for a turning point in what has been a disastrous 10-month spell in his club career,
# talking point
Ireland's most-talked-about hot prospect delivers on the big stage
Troy Parrott came off the bench to rescue the Boys in Green and prevent a familiar failure.