Alexander Birchley

@_TheGMan @Telegraph Likewise, my daughter passed hers, but the school asked snyone who passed not to make a "thing of it" in case it upset those that didn't pass. The school claimed earlier in the year that they couldn't offer clubs for it. Never mind I guess.

@ABirchley @Telegraph Yes. We asked for help in preparing but were ignored, so sorted it ourselves. My daughter is the only one from the school who is going but the teachers, including the Head, haven't really acknowledged it in any way. They're probably mildly embarrassed rather than proud.

Grammar schools are moving their entrance exams from September to July to prevent pupils having to spend their summer holidays studying Schools believe the change will improve equality for all entrants. Children from more affluent families often get tutors over the summer months to prepare for the test, and this can leave less-wealthy families at a disadvantage. 🔗: telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/05/2…

@Telegraph School should offer after school or lunch time clubs to teach items in the test but not taught in class. Then every child would get a chance regardless of social background.

@_TheGMan @Telegraph Its a ridiculous system where test subjects aren't taught in school and schools don't offer lunch or after school sessions to help. System is wrong because they don't like the principle of Grammar schools.

@Telegraph Children have to do extra study because the primary schools do not teach them all the material that comprise the questions in the 11+.

It’s an unpopular view but Arsenal’s title is the story of considerable overperformance against wealthier opposition - City’s higher wage bill is the equivalent of more than five Sakas It wasn’t always pretty but it is maximising everything you’ve got independent.co.uk/sport/football…

@timstillman_ The only defense is that none of the Burnley players reacted as is it was nasty and accepted a yellow as right. Players tend to react at the time, but on reply a very lucky boy.

Oooof. Idk how we got away with that

The game is gone if this happens It would completely destroy what little bit of integrity the Premier League has left

2 BBC articles about 2 VAR incidents: The pen not given to Havertz, & the red card not given to Gabriel. In both cases, the KMI panel ruled that the ref’s decision was wrong, but that VAR was right not to intervene. Yet both headlines only highlight the anti-Arsenal ruling.

Arsenal are literally playing 4 games in 11 days right now. Interesting how there’s no graphic for that.

@fkhanage Stop it. Those players need to stand up and be counted. All this blame on the manager is ridiculous. Poor passing and intensity is on the 11 on the pitch. Pure and simple

Players are physically done. Mentally on the ropes. The manager has to take responsibility for that. Gutted.

@henrywinter Not just england, strickers are missing around the world, which is why aging stars like Kane & Lewendoski are still starters at huge clubs, and Benzema was leading the line at Real 2 seasons ago. Players like VG at Arsenal, BS at Man Utd NW at Newcastle cost big £ for low returns

30 years ago, Terry Venables could leave out Ian Wright for Euro 96 because he had Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Les Ferdinand and Robbie Fowler at centre-forward. Elite options at No 9 now? Basically, Harry Kane. Ollie Watkins, Dominic Solanke, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Danny Welbeck are below Kane’s level. Liam Delap needs to get the upward trajectory of his career back on track again. A “minor issue” benching/resting Kane will always be a major problem for England. FA coaches at St George’s Park debate why there are so few 9s emerging. Focus on 10s and wide attackers in academies, more teams playing only one centre-forward in a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 and cage styles leading to “ballers” not poachers are all reasons discussed. Line-leading skills, back-to-goal expertise, finishing prowess need re-developing. Because Kane is 32 and succession planning is required. #ENG

Thierry Henry was so great on the ball

The Atmosphere created by some reporters around White is so poor and unnecessary. Fans just follow and now we are booing a player.

So this is the sequencing: a) 11 September, Mandelson resigns b) 11 September - 13 October, No.10 start putting together strategy for dealing with Tory demand for messages between Mandelson/McSweeney c) 20 October, McSweeney reports phone stolen. All messages reportedly lost

@clivepafc why is Timber so often, so far forward at the edge of the oppositions box? Feels like we should be able to get a different profile of player in that hole.

Arsenal averaged 31.4 seconds per restart vs Brighton. #BHAFC average 26.5 seconds per restart this season but averaged 38.7 vs Man City (H), 33.7 vs Chelsea (A) & 33.2 vs Brentford (A). Common dominator? They won all three matches. Context is key. ⬇️ football.london/arsenal-fc/new…

Me when I realized the word “bar” stands for “beer and alcohol room”

@PoznanInMyPants @clivepafc @YankeeGunner we need to talk about timber. Especially in the opposition half.

@PoznanInMyPants stock falling Timber, looks tired was out muscled and poor on the ball. Normally excellent, not so today.

Love all the talk about "chelsea have nullified Arsenal's corners". Only 2 corners both of which could have resulted in goals. Would love to see this a few more times from oppositions to see what the impact would really be.

Great scenes, but what is that commentary about?? "They've clung on, they've clung on...." Err, I think I was watching a different game. One of the most comfortable semi-finals I can remember. Think I was nervous once, when Chelsea had that free-kick just outside the box.