WE’RE nearly at the halfway point of the 2021-22 season. Here’s Layth’s Take on the highs and lows of his campaign so far…

Team(s) of the season (so far): Manchester City and Liverpool are head and shoulders above everyone so far this season. If this season’s Premier League winner doesn’t come from Anfield or Eastlands, Chelsea will have had a hell of a spring 2022…

Player of the season (so far): Mo Salah. For his goals. For his assists. For his quick feet. For his humble nature

One to watch: Charlie Patino

Biggest disappointment: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, The England Test cricket team

Manager of the Year (so far): Can’t separate Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola. With kudos to David Moyes

Young manager to watch: Darren Sarll (Yeovil Town). Working miracles at the Huish on a fraction of the budget of other non-league teams, let alone professional sides. Good luck to Sarll and his Glovers side in the FA Cup third round

Young manager to watch II: Once Jack Wilshere gets his badges watch him go

Performance of the season: Watford 0-5 Liverpool. Klopp’s side were simply outstanding that afternoon at Vicarage Road

Performance of the season II: Arsenal Women 0-4 Barcelona Women: Jonas Eidevall’s side have been outstanding at times this season, but the Catalans are on a different level to mere mortals

Goal of the season: Mo Salah vs Man City

Goal of the season that I’ve covered: Mo Salah vs Watford 

Best pie: Rochdale. Nothing comes close to their mouth-watering meat and potato effort complete with chips and mushy peas after a six-hour drive to Spotland and navigating the M62 during rush hour

Strangest post-match food: Fried black pudding at Easter Road. As anyone who knows me will attest, I will — and normally do — eat anything and everything, but I can only describe what I tasted that night as encrusted vomit

Favourite match: Arsenal 3-1 Spurs. I may have had a calm exterior in the Ashburton Grove press box but I was dancing inside. Catching up with old Gooner pals at the Swimmers on Grafton boozer near the Hornsey Road after the game was simply joyous

Favourite match II: Arsenal Women 5-1 Spurs Women: Took my youngest daughter to Meadow Park along with her Spurs-supporting cousin. At least two of us were smiling that evening

Most dismal performance of the season: Manchester City 5-0 Arsenal. From the Gunners of course, not from Pep Guardiola’s side. Even in the Etihad press box I was hurting, let alone the long drive home. Apologies to anyone whose path crossed mine that weekend

Most dismal performance of the season II: Chelsea Women 3-0 Arsenal Women, Women’s FA Cup final. Took my youngest daughter to Wembley along with her Spurs-supporting cousin. Only one of us was smiling that afternoon

Busiest day: Manchester City v Arsenal, 12.45pm, Salford v Newport 3pm

Biggest jobsworth: The steward at Salford who wouldn’t let me in at 3.15pm after dashing over from south Manchester to Moor Lane

Biggest turnaround: Tweeting Gary Neville to tell him his Salford steward wouldn’t let me in. Two minutes later (and a word in the ear from the club) I was let in. 

Busiest day II: England v India at Headingley (morning and afternoon sessions) West Brom 0-6 Arsenal 

Busiest day III: England v India at Lord’s (morning, afternoon and evening sessions) Brentford 2-0 Arsenal

Busiest day: IV: Getting a call with a tip-off about who would imminently become the new manager of Stevenage FC while sat in the Stamford Bridge press box, 15 minutes before Chelsea v Manchester United

Trip of the season so far: Two days in Edinburgh during a summer heatwave covering Hibernian vs Arsenal back in July. A glorious city bathed in sunshine and unfettered access in interviewing Mikel Arteta pitchside afterwards. No wonder I love pre-season friendlies

Biggest thrill: Getting Nick Hornby to write for the Gooner Fanzine

Biggest thrill II: Thierry Henry looking me in the eye and nodding imperceptibly when I walked into the Old Trafford press room. He didn’t know me from Adam, but his brief acknowledgement of an unknown, humble journalist made my day. The fact I didn’t simply give him a bear hug there and then, and tell one of my heroes about my undying love towards him still confuses me today, given how much I idolise him. It was probably for the best in that particular situation however...

Hopes for 2022: Apart from an end to Tory rule, Covid to disappear, world peace and good health for everyone, I long for a return to the days of in-person press conferences at clubs, not least because I completely and utterly detest Zoom. And to join the 92 Club. I’m on 87/92, with only Barnsley, Barrow, Crewe, Fleetwood and Harrogate to go… 

Heroes of the season: The medical staff who helped save a supporter’s life in the Graham Taylor Stand while I was covering Watford v Chelsea at Vicarage Road 

My hero: My wonderful partner Faye who is now three years cancer free after her yearly check-up this week

Thanks for reading. Happy Christmas. X