[ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL] Weekend Fixtures ft. FNF and Poch v Pep (1/2 October)

[Reg]

Weekend Fixtures


http://i.imgur.com/v9lwn2X.png VS. http://i.imgur.com/zwhgIYA.png

Friday
Everton v Crystal Palace - 20:00 Sky

Saturday
Swansea v Liverpool - 12:30 Sky
Hull v Chelsea
Sunderland v West Brom
Watford v Bournemouth
West Ham v Middlesbrough

Fulham v QPR - 12:45
Birmingham v Blackburn
Brentford v Wigan
Bristol City v Nottm Forest
Burton v Cardiff
Ipswich v Huddersfield
Leeds v Barnsley
Preston v Aston Villa
Reading v Derby
Rotherham v Newcastle
Sheff Wed v Brighton
Wolves v Norwich - 17:30 Sky

Sunday
Man Utd v Stoke - 12:00 BT
Leicester v Southampton - 14:15
Tottenham v Man City - 14:15 Sky
Burnley v Arsenal - 16:30 Sky

Other games include Leverkusen v Dortmund (Sat 17:30 on BT), Valencia v Atletico Madrid (Sun 11:00 on Sky) and Roma v Inter (Sun 19:45 on BT). http://www.live-footballontv.com

[Giggles]

Is poch big enough for that?

[Reg]

Dunno. One of the best coaches in the world, Pep says. It's maybe the biggest game of the weekend though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's easy for Pep to go around calling everyone brilliant just before his team smashes them 4-1.

[Byron]

That picture of Pep would be a hell of a replacement for my current rape face avatar.

Was he in Oxford recently?

[Giggles]

If a dirty forrin did what Phil Jagielka just did, there would be a 3 hour SSN special about it tomorrow.

[Raoul Duke]

Saturday's games might just be the most boring set the weasels at FA HQ have ever concocted

[elth]

Nobody even pretending to care about Everton Palace then? :henn0rz:

[Kikó]

Tuesday to Monday night football. Talk about overkill.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sturridge :harold:

[John Arne]

Why on earth did he dive then? He could have reached the ball and had a dig.

[John Arne]

https://gyazo.com/9c769c929d5a0f77a11b19315dec2e2b.png

[John Arne]

Fucking hell, Sturridge is shit.

[niko_cee]

This new 'keeper doesn't look a great improvement on Ming.

[John Arne]

Yeah, flapped at a fair few 'un today.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

782238776038924288

Payet > Messi.

[Shindig]

Up to second again. Hopefully we can keep this going.

[John Arne]

Ricky Villa

[Reg]

Leverkusen and Hernandez were very good. Dortmund don't look very rehearsed in attack. Gotze staying on the bench was a funny one.

Great win for us today away at Wednesday, without our two key centre mids as well. Bit of a pity the other top four teams all won.

[Spikey M]

Payet needs to fuck off. This mob would be relegated without him

[Raoul Duke]

Who told Eden Hazard that a neckbeard was a good look on him?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

'Success Story' on the Watford papers tomorrow then.

[SvN]

Wilshere missing an open goal. What a shit twat.

[Raoul Duke]

I'd love to see Deeney playing for England. The idea of sticking some massive unit up against Malta would be hilarious.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Jesus, never allow James Collins on TV that close again please.

[Raoul Duke]

Shearer so transparently wants the England job but would be obviously completely atrocious.

Jenas wants Rio to be in charge :cab: Potatohead.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Jenas talking about his choices of England manager, lol.

Hoddle with one of Shearer, Ferdinand or Lampard. Fucking lol.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've also never heard of Ralf Ragnick.

[Raoul Duke]

He's some mentalist German. Total random name dropped in the hat.

[Raoul Duke]

No Fellaini :drool: No Rooney :drool:

Fuck off Ray Winstone

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was lovely build up play.

Shame Ogba fluffed his shot.

[Reg]

United much better than in midweek so far. Front four playing really well together.

[Smiffy]

.....

[elth]

Pogba isn't going to dominate games until he's in a three. He doesn't have the discipline to play in a two against the best, just wanders forward too often.

Long term United's midfield in big games needs to be Pogba and Herrera flanking either Carrick or Schneiderlin. Mata in the hole is fine in games like today though.

[Ian]

I think at this point I've got about as good a chance of a game as Schneiderlin. No idea why/whose tea he spunked in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm watching Hibs against Dundee United. No wonder Waffelz is gone in the head if he has to watch this utter drivel every week.

[Reg]

Pogba isn't going to dominate games until he's in a three. He doesn't have the discipline to play in a two against the best, just wanders forward too often.

Long term United's midfield in big games needs to be Pogba and Herrera flanking either Carrick or Schneiderlin. Mata in the hole is fine in games like today though.
Yep. It's also controlling the game with the ball, as well as his positional play, that he seems to lack. Carrick is a must in the big games.

[randomlegend]

Don't think there was any intent behind it, but Herrera was seriously lucky not to get sent off there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Another fuck up by Rooney leading to a goal.

[Kikó]

Rooney assist :cool:

[Reg]

Similar goal to the one Martial scored vs Stoke before.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was a Rooney special from Bailly.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Some monstrous African centre half just headed Dundee United level out of nowhere. The standard of football is League Two or worse, and the standard of officiating is incredibly bad, they just guess every decision. We don't appreciate just how good the top Premier League refs are.

[Kikó]

Remember Jim that's league 1 in Scotland not the top division. There is fuck all money there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:face:

[Reg]

Think Hargreaves actually said Paulp Ogba a minute ago.

[Vim]

Pogba isn't going to dominate games until he's in a three. He doesn't have the discipline to play in a two against the best, just wanders forward too often.

Long term United's midfield in big games needs to be Pogba and Herrera flanking either Carrick or Schneiderlin. Mata in the hole is fine in games like today though.

I've not seen much of United this season, but it would be interesting to see the midfield you described as a diamond, with Carrick/Schneiderlin in the middle, Pogba and Herrera on either side of him, and Mata behind the strikers. Have Valencia bomb down the right for width.

[randomlegend]

Christ, what a frustrating game.

[Lewis]

Shit goalie. Sell him.

[SvN]

Should've been out of sight by half time.

[Ian]

Vim, was Pogba so constantly desperate to twat one in from thirty yards as he's been for United so far?

He could have had about three in that game. That cross that Rashford laid on for him at the end was absolutely perfect.

[Reg]

I don't think they did much wrong there. Some good saves from Grant. Promising signs going forward but their next four games are Liverpool, Fernerbahce, Chelsea and City (EFL Cup).

[Kikó]

Probably going to finish 6th. Can't defend well enough and don't score enough. Football is better but still a lot of average players.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Jimmy Floyd]

There's absolutely no way Spurs can play at this level of intensity for a full match/season.

[Giggles]

There's absolutely no way Spurs can play at this level of intensity for a full match/season.

Not judging by last season anyway.

[Reg]

There's absolutely no way Spurs can play at this level of intensity for a full match/season.
Very effective way to start games though. Worked for Celtic in midweek. Martinez used to do it at Everton (in that good season). You need the first part of the match to go for you though, so you have something to protect when the legs start going.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Great second goal. The game will turn when Wanyama is sent off though. Can see City coming back.

[Adamski]

That high press really is something else.

[niko_cee]

I've not seen the first half but is it safe to assume that Kolarov as a centreback and fullbacks playing in defensive midfield is a bit of a clusterfuck against anyone half decent? Or are they just a one man team?

Good to see the 'not Pep players' line being rolled out at the first sign of difficulty.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah, anyone who does anything other than a chin-strokingly beautiful pass is 'not a Pep player'.

I didn't know Wonderwang was at City, he'll be back in the Bundesliga within the year.

[Reg]

Kolarov has been the weakest player but none of them could cope with the pressing. Obviously missing de Bruyne and Nolito is big. They didn't really have a chance to bring the full backs inside and the nifty keepball things because they didn't have the same sustained spells of possession they've had against weaker teams. Spurs were all over them first 20 minutes.

[Angelsaint]

Just passed by to remember everyone about Degayer.
E-victory?

[Lewis]

'Pep' teams are always get-at-able. It's just that nobody could get the ball off Barcelona for long enough to test them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lamela is such a penis.

Ian Nacho to save the day.

[niko_cee]

I was watching the football league stuff on 5 this morning and there seems to have been a lot of missed penalties this weekend.

[Giggles]

Who's Iwobi?

[mugbull]

Hahaha fuck u Pep, fuck u Mou Cow, suck a chode, the title is ours

[Giggles]

Hahaha fuck u Pep, fuck u Mou Cow, suck a chode, the title is ours

You'll be out of puff before April hits and get about 5 points from your last 8 games.

[niko_cee]

It's going to be hard for Spurs to finish top of a league that Arsenal also play in.

[niko_cee]

Eibar.

:cool:

[Lewis]

Handball or not, isn't 'Kos' offside there?

[Raoul Duke]

Barcelona getting fisted here. 3-0 down to Celta Vigo in the first half. Aspas with a goal :cool:

[Waffdon]

Atleti back to the top :cool:

[niko_cee]

Aspas taking the piss.

Sign him up!

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Torino, on loan from Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley)

Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Stoke), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham)

Midfielders: Eric Dier (Tottenham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal), Michail Antonio (West Ham), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Dele Alli (Tottenham)

Strikers: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester)

Sturridge and Rooney, lol.

[Reg]

Walcott, Lingard, Rashford all good choices.

Shame for Lallana with his injury. Then again he might welcome it coinciding with an international break.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We're playing Malta, a League One select would shit on them.

[Magic]

Boring international shit.

[Reg]

De Rossi just got dummied like a mug. 1-1 with twenty to go.

I can't imagine Sunday night games being a regular thing in this country. Such a weird timeslot.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

We're playing Malta, a League One select would shit on them.
It will be fun seeing Rooney shit it up against them.

[Reg]

Good game in Italy. Including this Schmeichel like save from Handanovic:

782680075196039168

[Luke Emia]

Aspas donned Barcelona last season as well didn't he. Shame we ever only really saw him take the worst corner ever...

[niko_cee]

Has Clyne been mouthing off about bullboy shoes or something?

[Raoul Duke]

Injured, apparently

[Spoonsky]

I really love Joe Allen.

Table looking good now, predictions of City's total domination were probably a little premature. The international break can suck my willy.

[SvN]

Another international break already? Ugh.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I reckon they should spice it up by continuing the league matches in spite of the internationals being on. Have too many internationals? Tough balls, better give some kids a chance. Wouldn't need a winter break then either. Happens in every other sport.

[Shindig]

Most of the kids are U21 internationals.

[Mellberg]

Di Matteo gone. Was at Preston yesterday and the vibe is completely despondent. More than 2,000 away fans than any other club in all of England this weekend. I know that comes down to plenty of variables, but I don't think such a good support deserves such never ending shit. 3 wins in 48 games! 6 years of strife. Desperately need someone to come in and sort it.

[Raoul Duke]

Di Matteo gone. Was at Preston yesterday and the vibe is completely despondent. More than 2,000 away fans than any other club in all of England this weekend. I know that comes down to plenty of variables, but I don't think such a good support deserves such never ending shit. 3 wins in 48 games! 6 years of strife. Desperately need someone to come in and sort it.

Allardyce :cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nothing will change as long as you have an absolutely ridiculous chinaman in charge.

[GS]

"The Villa" are probably going straight down again, which is a shame.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They won't go down, I've seen them three times this season, they have an ok squad for that level. Di Matteo is a bit of a fraud whose only success was actually a triumph for the Phantom Manager, but watching them play there's clearly just a deep well of negativity running through the whole place which needs turning around, which said ridiculous Chinaman won't allow a manager to do because he'll interfere too much.

[Giggles]

Just twigged Glen Johnson in that England squad. What?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was thinking about him the other day when I saw Clyne playing for Liverpool and I concluded that he wasn't playing football anymore. I have no idea which club he's at but I'll guess Sunderland or a return to West Ham.

[niko_cee]

It's the defensive titans that are Stoke.

Lee Dixon was unavailable.

[niko_cee]

Daley Blind is such a classic Mourinho fullback. So much for Shaw locking down that position for 15 years.

[John Arne]

Just twigged Glen Johnson in that England squad. What?

I'm going to stick up for Southgate a little bit here. The choices available at right back are pretty atrocious.

Here's the starting right-backs from this past weekend;

Everton - Seamus Coleman
Palace - Joel Ward
Swansea - Angel Rangel
Liverpool - Nathaniel Clyne
Hull - David Meyler
Chelsea - Azpilicueta
Sunderland - Javier Manquillo
WBA - Craig Dawson
Watford - JC Zuniga
Bournemouth - Adam Smith
West Ham - Sam Byram
Middlesbrough - Antonio Barragan
Man Utd - Antonio Valencio
Stoke - Glen Johnson
Leicester - Danny Simpson
Southampton - Cedric Soares
Tottenham - Kyle Walker
Man City - Pablo Zabaleta
Burnley - Matthew Lowton
Arsenal - Hector Bellerin

Eligilble for selection;
Liverpool - Nathaniel Clyne - Injured
Palace - Joel Ward
WBA - Craig Dawson
Bournemouth - Adam Smith
West Ham - Sam Byram - injured
Stoke - Glen Johnson
Leicester - Danny Simpson
Tottenham - Kyle Walker

You could probably make the argument that perhaps Smith or Simpson could have gotten a nod, but either way, it's not a great choice. The two right-backs in the U21 squad are Dominic Iorfa and Jack Stephens (recently mostly played as a CB).

The future is not bright.

[SvN]

Daley Blind is such a classic Mourinho fullback. So much for Shaw locking down that position for 15 years.

Shaw is injured.

[niko_cee]

Aye, 'injured'.

[SvN]

Literally no idea what that means.

[Kikó]

He's saying he's dropped.

Blind can't defend despite his ability to pass. He's slower than a tectonic shift.

[SvN]

But he hasn't, it was well reported that he was injured in the match against Watford.

[Kikó]

Aye, "reported".

[niko_cee]

Exactly.

Singled out for criticism, and then injured.

He probably is, but that won't stop Blind from becoming your Ivanovic. FEC to replace Valencia in the fullness of time.

[Kikó]

Bob Bradley is the new Welsh White Dragons boss.

[phonics]

The club has been a complete mess ever since those Americans bought the place.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is there any reason for hiring him, other than the fact he's a yank? And what does his yankitude bring to the party?

[Adamski]

Maybe they feel if they bring in enough Americans, the league will just cancel relegations this year.

[bruhnaldo]

Bob Bradley is a disgrace.

Good luck with that, fellas.

[7om]

It's a real pity Zimidy didn't move over to this place because I'd quite enjoy having a weekly lol at him and his shithouse team.

I really thought them going down would be a great excuse to inject all of the talented kids they seem to produce but instead have just stuffed the team with overpriced shit by the looks of things. Not a chance they will go down with a semi-competent manager but it's been fun while it lasted.

[phonics]

Speaking of shitehouses, how are Brimingham doing so well this year? Every time I talk to my Blues supporting cousin he sounds fucking miserable and says they're going to get relegated.

[Disco]

Speaking of shitehouses, how are Brimingham doing so well this year? Every time I talk to my Blues supporting cousin he sounds fucking miserable and says they're going to get relegated.

Does he live there? Because that'll do it.

[phonics]

Nah, like every smart Brummie, he moved down South ASAP.

[7om]

Speaking of shitehouses, how are Brimingham doing so well this year? Every time I talk to my Blues supporting cousin he sounds fucking miserable and says they're going to get relegated.

Your cousin sounds like a moron. Rowett has stabilised the team from relegation favorites to last season where we challenged the playoffs and we're up there again this year. We might not go up but top 10 is almost a certainty.

My only fear is that Rowett is going to get poached sooner rather than later. He'll manage in the Premiership within 5 years, I'd say.

[Giggles]

Arter 'injured' again :rolleyes:
He should just grow a pair and stop the messing about.

[John]

I'm going to stick up for Southgate a little bit here. The choices available at right back are pretty atrocious.

Eligilble for selection;
Liverpool - Nathaniel Clyne - Injured
Palace - Joel Ward
WBA - Craig Dawson
Bournemouth - Adam Smith
West Ham - Sam Byram - injured
Stoke - Glen Johnson
Leicester - Danny Simpson
Tottenham - Kyle Walker

You could probably make the argument that perhaps Smith or Simpson could have gotten a nod, but either way, it's not a great choice. The two right-backs in the U21 squad are Dominic Iorfa and Jack Stephens (recently mostly played as a CB).

The future is not bright.

Ward, Smith, Simpson, and Walker are all better than Glen Johnson. He's dismal.

[Shindig]

Walker was fucking shit in France. Granted, he was in esteemed company.

Also, who the fuck do Swansea think they are? Know your place. You had a good run now just coast down to Championship mediocrity.

[Reg]

How has Simpson not got in over Johnson? He must feel hard done by on zero caps, having played nearly every game during a title-winning season.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Saafgate said that Johnson was in because of experience and they had too many young players in France. On that basis they should pick Nobby Stiles.

[Lewis]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37547545

:drool:

[Reg]

:|

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tournaments will keep expanding for the rest of time, because there's no better way of getting countries to vote you back onto the gravy train than to expand tournaments (and their lucrative TV markets) to include them. Platini was the king of it.

They'd love an 80 team World Cup if there was any feasible way of doing it.

[Lewis]

Kelvin MacKenzie (whose football sources are always sound) has a lol anecdote (https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1898103/if-things-werent-bad-enough-for-disgraced-ex-england-manager-big-sam-he-also-uses-the-n-word/) about Big Sam. Not the racism, but the other one, which I think only enhances his qualifications for such a role.

[Spoonsky]

Bob Bradley. :cool: No clue how he'll do but it will be fun to watch.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37547545

:drool:

48 with a random, pointless knockout round but keeping the group stage the same would be better than them fucking the group stage like they did in France.

[7om]

Ron Atkinson's face looks like it's folding in on itself.