latest articles by Matt Jones

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/ 3913 days agoProgress report for Watford’s first four matches of the Premier League season
After a preseason of remarkable transfer activity on top of a new manager coming in, it’s tough to fully assess where Watford are headed at this early juncture. But despite going into the international break without a win in any of their four games, there seems to be a solid foundation upon which to go forth. […]

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/ 3914 days agoProgress report for Crystal Palace’s first four matches of the Premier League season
It probably wouldn’t be unfair to suggest that, even with nine points from a possible 12, Crystal Palace haven’t really exceeded expectations so far in the 2015-16 term. But that’s no slant on the team’s tremendous start. After a strong finish to the previous term under the tutelage of the divisive but undeniably effective Alan […]

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/ 3918 days agoProgress report on Leicester City’s first four matches of the Premier League season
It wasn’t really supposed to go like this for Leicester City. Having lost a manager with an enormous personality and a key experienced midfield player, Claudio Ranieri didn’t seem like a coach capable of carrying on the good work done by this team as of late. But it's definitely so far so good for the […]

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/ 3918 days agoWest Ham's first four matches of 2015 Premier League season
Has there been a more fascinating team in the Premier League this season than West Ham United? A new and completely different style of manager taking the helm for the final season at the Boleyn Ground meant that there was never going to be a shortage of drama for the east London outfit. But even […]

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/ 3919 days agoPremier League clubs now have leverage over ‘player power’
No soccer supporter enjoys seeing player power implemented to the extreme. But we’ve had our fair share of it down the years. It’s probably why, with just minutes to go in the transfer window, West Bromwich Albion’s Saido Berahino put out what is now an infamous Twitter message suggesting he would never play for the […]

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/ 3920 days agoProgress report on Everton’s first four matches of season
It’s been better than last season for Everton, which is a positive. An opening day draw to Watford rekindled unfortunate memories of the previous term, but the Toffees showed what they are capable of with a rousing performing on the road at Southampton, swatting Saints aside with a wonderful 3-0 win. That’s the team’s only […]

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/ 3920 days agoProgress report on Bournemouth’s first 4 matches of season
In fairness to manager Eddie Howe, Bournemouth have stood stringently by the principles that saw them into the top flight last season. And after four games, the Cherries will probably feel a little aggrieved to only be on four points. Bournemouth learned some harsh lessons in an opening day loss to Aston Villa and were on […]

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/ 3925 days agoTop 5 must-see soccer games: Aug. 28, 2015
Sometimes a weekend of soccer works out perfectly. It’ll be varied, including games from different leagues, at different times, with plenty riding on them. Thankfully, this weekend looks set to be one of those. Five quality games all spread nicely over two days from arguably the five most exciting leagues anywhere in world soccer. So […]

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/ 3931 days agoMemphis Depay will be a star, but he’s not ready to be Manchester United’s talisman yet
After Memphis Depay runs out at Old Trafford for Manchester United in mid-week for the return leg against Brugge, expectations will be lifted. After a dazzling display on the left-wing in a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in midweek and a decent performance in a 0-0 draw against Newcastle, already there’s plenty of chatter about the Dutchman. […]

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/ 3932 days agoTop 5 must-see soccer games: Aug. 21, 2015
La Liga and Serie A are the two latest European leagues to get underway this week and we’ve picked one match from each division as part of our quintet of must-see matches. In addition, Sunday sees what looks set to be a tantalizing clash between two of the most high profile sides in Major League […]

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/ 3935 days agoEverton must continue striving for higher standards after Southampton masterclass
After two rounds of Premier League action, there’s no team that’s put in a pair of performances quite as contrasting as Everton. A moribund, stagnant display gave rise to major concerns that had not been learned from the abject showings throughout 2014-15. Coupled with the lack of summer transfer activity, there was a stale atmosphere […]

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/ 3939 days agoTop 5 must-see soccer games: Aug. 14, 2015
Domestic soccer in Europe is back in full swing and that means the return of our weekly piece picking out the best five games for you to savor this weekend. The Premier League is into its second round of matches and Sunday will see two tantalizing clashes played, which could have an early say on the […]

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/ 3940 days agoEverton are in danger of falling beyond the Premier League’s bolstered mid-table pack
The first minutes of a new season should be about renewed hope and unashamedly grandiose expectations. With the table cleared, a bright new strip and some different teams to go against, there’s something refreshing about getting down to the domestic grind again for supporters. At sun-drenched stadiums across England, that was evident in the buzz […]

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/ 3946 days ago2015/16 Premier League team preview: West Bromwich Albion
When West Bromwich Albion drafted in Tony Pulis midway through last season to replace Alan Irvine, the club essentially guaranteed itself a Premier League future. But as the Welshman gears up for his first full campaign at the helm of the Baggies, he faces quite a challenge. After all, West Brom have been a solid […]

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/ 3946 days ago2015/16 Premier League team preview: West Ham United
Before delving into the minutiae of West Ham United’s upcoming campaign, it’s worth noting that this is a hallmark season for the London club. It’s their last season at the iconic Boleyn Ground before they become the new tenants of the capital’s Olympic Stadium and they’ll be desperate to sign off with a sequence to be […]