[FOOTBALL] Boxing Day Fixtures & More (Mon 26-Weds 28)

[Reg]

15:00 unless stated. | Full Scottish fixtures list here. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/fixtures)|Full TV listings here. (http://www.live-footballontv.com)

BOXING DAY (MONDAY)

Watford v Crystal Palace - 12:30 Sky
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
Burnley v Middlesbrough
Chelsea v Bournemouth
Leicester City v Everton
Manchester United v Sunderland
Swansea City v West Ham United
Hull City v Manchester City - 17:15 Sky

Brentford v Cardiff City - 13:00
Aston Villa v Burton Albion
Barnsley v Blackburn Rovers
Huddersfield Town v Nottingham Forest
Ipswich Town v Fulham
Preston North End v Leeds United
Reading v Norwich City
Rotherham United v Wigan Athletic
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Bristol City
Newcastle United v Sheffield Wednesday - 19:45 Sky

Aldershot Town v Woking National League- 12:15 BT

TUESDAY

Liverpool v Stoke City - 17:15 Sky

Brighton & Hove Albion v Queens Park Rangers - 12:30 Sky
Derby County v Birmingham City - 15:00 Sky

Eastleigh v Boreham Wood - 19:45 BT

WEDNESDAY

Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur - 19:45 Sky

St Johnstone v Rangers - 19:45 BT

[Baz]

Bloody tuesday game.

If there are enough goals galores in leagues two, one and the championship, I stand to win £25k. Wish me luck.

[Boydy]

Watford - Crystal Palace is the game they moved for TV?

[Smiffy]

BOXING DAY (MONDAY)

Watford v Crystal Palace - Sam effect.
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion - Sanchez will not be stopped.
Burnley v Middlesbrough - Not many take points there and I don't think Middlesbrough have it in them to do so either.
Chelsea v Bournemouth - Striker getting suspended won't Costa thing. Comfortable win for Chelsea.
Leicester City v Everton - Flip of a coin as to which side will outshit the other. Leicester are more likely to hit their stride I reckon.
Manchester United v Sunderland - There's no way Sunderland are taking anything at all. I fully expect a drubbing. 4+ goals.
Swansea City v West Ham United - Andy Carroll to claim the winning goal as Swansea continue to struggle.
Hull City v Manchester City - Wha? Yes. Hull to frustrate City and score the winning goal after 70+ minutes.

Brentford v Cardiff City
Aston Villa v Burton Albion
Barnsley v Blackburn Rovers
Huddersfield Town v Nottingham Forest
Ipswich Town v Fulham
Preston North End v Leeds United
Reading v Norwich City
Rotherham United v Wigan Athletic
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Bristol City
Newcastle United v Sheffield Wednesday

Aldershot Town v Woking

TUESDAY

Liverpool v Stoke City

Brighton & Hove Albion v Queens Park Rangers
Derby County v Birmingham City

Eastleigh v Boreham Wood

WEDNESDAY

Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur

St Johnstone v Rangers


BoxingDayBet.

Chelsea -1
Burton +1.
4/1.

[mugbull]

All games are shit

[Max Power]

Love a Boxing Day fixture. Imagine being a fan in an inferior football culture where they have a 'winter break' .

Feels like we haven't won on the 26th in fucking years though. Fuchs, Huth and Vardy all suspended as well :moop:

[Magic]

Some dreadful televised fixtures there.

[mo]

One home match on Boxing Day in 10 years :panda:

[Kikó]

I want to get to a fixture out here but no one else is keen for some Belgian football.

[Waffdon]

One home match on Boxing Day in 10 years :panda:

Say it likes it's a bad thing.

[-james-]

Going to the Brighton game tomorrow. First one I've been to since a 1-1 draw with York City or someone in 2001. It was at the Withdean and it was pissing it down, we left early and missed a late Gary Hart(?) equaliser, so I'm hoping this will be an improvement.

[Smiffy]

I want to get to a fixture out here but no one else is keen for some Belgian football.

Poor form. I don't remember who Standard played in the Europa last (Benfica?) but the atmosphere looked awesome.

[Baz]

+1 for Belgian football.

Charity Shield there was the best game I've been too, and not just cos I had beer at my seat.

[Kikó]

I think it would have been an easier sell if Anderlecht were playing at home.

[Giggles]

I want to get to a fixture out here but no one else is keen for some Belgian football.

The Christmas football is more a British tradition isn't it?

[Kikó]

Probably - I don't think Boxing day is much of a thing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

All I'll say about this Watford-Palace game is that there is a heroic amount of respect for the byline on display.

[Boydy]

What's with the odds in the Reading v Norwich game? Reading look a very good price given Norwich's recent terrible away form.

[Dquincy]

Got to be the worse set of Boxing Day fixtures in the world ever. I'll stick with Runaway Bride thank you very much.

At the in-laws aren't I.

[John Arne]

Roberto Firmino arrested for drink driving on Christmas Eve. What a tool. Can you not afford a fucking taxi?
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/26/roberto-firmino-charged-drink-driving-liverpool

[niko_cee]

Also off to the Amex tomorrow. If Reg goes we could have a mini TTH meet. I guess Offy won't be working there though.

I'll be somewhere in the lower west stand I think.

[John Arne]

What a stupid penalty to concede. Thicko defender.

[mo]

What's with the odds in the Reading v Norwich game? Reading look a very good price given Norwich's recent terrible away form.

Bit of a stretch, but I read last week that Reading were up for sale again and may have been asset-stripped, so could be related to that. I've still backed them mind.

[Waffdon]

No Michy :(

[Jimmy Floyd]

Leicester fans will be pleased to know that Yann Kermorgant just missed a chipped penalty for Reading (although the rebound was put in).

[randomlegend]

That goal :drool:

[Lewis]

It looked like a pretty routine header on my bollocks stream at first. Goal of the Season.

[Danny]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iad3gV-9C1U :cool:

Also, Mkhitaryan :drool:

[Kikó]

He came on and looked class. Great goal but obviously offside.

[Magic]

4-1. :drool:

[Raoul Duke]

Micky Targaryan with some classic FIFA shit there. Christ knows why Mourinho didn't play him earlier

[ScousePig]

Wasn't Mkhitarian offside? Not sure why people are getting excited.

[randomlegend]

Yes he was offside, but that doesn't take away from the finish.

[ScousePig]

Well it kind of does.

[randomlegend]

How? The finish was just as skillful whether he was offside or not.

[ScousePig]

It'd have been just as skillful in training or on the beach too.

[randomlegend]

Wow you're stupid.

[Spoonsky]

It doesn't detract from the finish exactly, but he wouldn't have been in position to do that if he'd been onside.

[Spoonsky]

It's an interesting debate though. Have there been many other amazing goals that shouldn't have counted over the years?

[ScousePig]

Wow you're stupid.

And you're clearly a dick but I'll try not to mention it.

[ScousePig]

It doesn't detract from the finish exactly, but he wouldn't have been in position to do that if he'd been onside.

If the linesman does his job it doesn't count, and bar a couple of replays it never gets mentioned again. Likewise if it happens on the training pitch you might see a video, and then that's it.

[mugbull]

Of course it detracts from the goal, jesus. If I slapped it in with my palm from the edge of the 18 its impressive but also highly illegal

[bruhnaldo]

Mentioned it being offside on another forum and I was told to go die because I ruin everything.

Magic do you post on any other forums?

[Lewis]

If the 'Hand of God' had been correctly ruled out, England would more than likely have kept their shape a bit longer (three people closing him down in their half is a bit headless), so we can rule that second goal out. I think a throw-in went the wrong way at some point during the Euro 1988 final as well.

[Danny]

If the linesman does his job it doesn't count, and bar a couple of replays it never gets mentioned again. Likewise if it happens on the training pitch you might see a video, and then that's it.

You could say that about every goal ever.

[mo]

You could say that about every goal ever.

Well, no; we're talking about spectacular goals that involve very rare, difficult to execute skill. Not a tap in.

[Spoonsky]

Well, no; we're talking about spectacular goals that involve very rare, difficult to execute skill. Not a tap in.

It's still a bollocks point. Doing something in an actual competitive match is obviously far more impressive than in training. If Totti had done this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYVqd_77ulg) in an actual game it would be much more famous than it is now.

[John Arne]

Fucking hell lads, it's Christmas.

[Mellberg]

Was it awesome? Yes. Should it have counted? No. Does the fact that it was offside take the shine from it slightly? Yes.

Now everyone get on with their day and stop boring us all to death ffs.

[Bam]

Hull, Swansea and Sunderland are going down, its nailed on already. I don't think any of them will come back either, which is quite a good thing as they're all boring nothing clubs.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sunderland always come back.

[ScousePig]

Hull, Swansea and Sunderland are going down, its nailed on already. I don't think any of them will come back either, which is quite a good thing as they're all boring nothing clubs.

It's not nailed on at all. I'd agree they've been the three weakest sides, but there's so much dross down there and despite us being awful, we're in touching distance with the likes of Palace, Leicester and Burnley. I think Leicester and Palace will pick up, but Bournemouth, Burnley, and even Watford don't look very good. Anyone from Watford down couldn't find themselves in it.

[ScousePig]

And what Mellin said.

[Bam]

And what Mellin said.

Do you think that at 86 minutes and 2-0 down you could have pulled they game back?

[Reg]

Also off to the Amex tomorrow. If Reg goes we could have a mini TTH meet. I guess Offy won't be working there though.

I'll be somewhere in the lower west stand I think.
Not going today, will be watching on telly. Need to win the two this week.

[Pleb]

Someone's going to get fired for switching the sound off during MOTD.

[Bob Sacamano]

This isn't an 'Look at me I don't keep up with football post' but when and why the fuck did QPR appoint Holloway?


Does Tony Fernandes just not give a fuck anymore?

[Lewis]

Ooh, look at him not keeping up with football.

[phonics]

http://e2.365dm.com/16/07/768x432/olivier-giroud-france-iceland_3495809.jpg?20160704092425

Bae.

[Mazuuurk]

I was thinking yesterday about that Mickitarrigan goal - would / should that be considered for Goal of the year?

I mean, what I suppose will happen is they will just casually omit that from any nominations etc, since it was a pretty clear offside.

But then again it's still a goal that counted - and even if it makes it a little less difficult to pull off if you're so clear you have noone to challange you (because you ran offside), it's still a beauty in it's own right.

I mean - what if Goal of the year for instance came from a free-kick that should not have been a free kick, or let's say some awesome ribona panenka penalty that shouldn't have been a penalty?


I realize it's a fairly theoretical discussion but still, it annoys me that I can't make up my own mind about what should be the way to go.

[Reg]

I don't think it even looked like he knew he would be offside. And in the case of most acrobatic kicks like that you know you've got space otherwise you don't attempt them.

Baldock's goal was quality, great speed of thought for the touch to get himself space. We haven't been great but should see this out.

[ScousePig]

Do you think that at 86 minutes and 2-0 down you could have pulled they game back?

No. How is that relevant?

[ScousePig]

I was thinking yesterday about that Mickitarrigan goal - would / should that be considered for Goal of the year?

I mean, what I suppose will happen is they will just casually omit that from any nominations etc, since it was a pretty clear offside.

But then again it's still a goal that counted - and even if it makes it a little less difficult to pull off if you're so clear you have noone to challange you (because you ran offside), it's still a beauty in it's own right.

I mean - what if Goal of the year for instance came from a free-kick that should not have been a free kick, or let's say some awesome ribona panenka penalty that shouldn't have been a penalty?


I realize it's a fairly theoretical discussion but still, it annoys me that I can't make up my own mind about what should be the way to go.

It's like what Lewis said about infringements - you could go back to lots of goals and said 'well this is different/shouldn't have counted because x,y,z'. But this was direct in that the player who scored was clearly in an illegal position.

If Usain Bolt ran 100m in 8 seconds but was found to be taking performance enhancing drugs, 'random legend' would still be wanking into his sock over it :rolleyes:

[Smiffy]

Whether he knew he was offside or not it was still a good piece of skill that resulted in a goal on the scoreboard.

Still not a patch on Collymore though. It blatantly intentional.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN2F6WQk8zk

[ScousePig]

No one can doubt the actual skill.

[Smiffy]

Isn't that why we watch football? To be entertained whilst trying to win? As far as I'm concerned it doesn't need no titles or nominations for Goal of the Season. Whether it was legit or not, it's the moment it's created. Three points for Man United, a strike to put the gloss on a decent win, another one for the highlight reel, another notch on the belt of Mkhitaryan who will only get better as the season goes on, his relationship with the Man United lot constantly improving and before you know it a new hero has been born and the loud mouthed cunts have something to shout about again.

You seem to want to suck all the fun out of it. Sunderland were actually good value yesterday too considering and more performances like that wouldn't go a miss. That you focus on a goal that came when the game was done and dusted as opposed to the positives that came with it for your own side is telling.

[Waffdon]

It's like what Lewis said about infringements - you could go back to lots of goals and said 'well this is different/shouldn't have counted because x,y,z'. But this was direct in that the player who scored was clearly in an illegal position.

If Usain Bolt ran 100m in 8 seconds but was found to be taking performance enhancing drugs, 'random legend' would still be wanking into his sock over it :rolleyes:

That would be pretty impressive to be honest

[Lewis]

He was offside, and nobody noticed. You don't get booked for being offside, let alone banned and stripped of previous medals, so comparing it to steroid abuse is a bit off.

[ScousePig]

That would be pretty impressive to be honest

He also had a Ferrari engine in his bottom.

[ScousePig]

Isn't that why we watch football? To be entertained whilst trying to win? As far as I'm concerned it doesn't need no titles or nominations for Goal of the Season. Whether it was legit or not, it's the moment it's created. Three points for Man United, a strike to put the gloss on a decent win, another one for the highlight reel, another notch on the belt of Mkhitaryan who will only get better as the season goes on, his relationship with the Man United lot constantly improving and before you know it a new hero has been born and the loud mouthed cunts have something to shout about again.

You seem to want to suck all the fun out of it. Sunderland were actually good value yesterday too considering and more performances like that wouldn't go a miss. That you focus on a goal that came when the game was done and dusted as opposed to the positives that came with it for your own side is telling.

Fucking hell Smiff, the talk in the thread was about that goal so I responded to it. You don't need to write a thesis on it.

[Smiffy]

There's nothing wrong with the response. :cab:

Moving along and on topic of goals, I'm visualising a Chelsea goal but a Croatian(?). Opening day of the season and he kept the ball up a few times before unleashing for the goal. Who was it?

EDIT: Stanic. :cool:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DC6Qy0LbXU8

[Mazuuurk]

It's like what Lewis said about infringements - you could go back to lots of goals and said 'well this is different/shouldn't have counted because x,y,z'. But this was direct in that the player who scored was clearly in an illegal position.

If Usain Bolt ran 100m in 8 seconds but was found to be taking performance enhancing drugs, 'random legend' would still be wanking into his sock over it :rolleyes:


Yeah but what I mean is that if we're in awards such as "Goal of the year" only - supposedly - judging the sheer beauty of the goal (of course couple with the skill it took to pull it off) - does it matter then that it should technically speaking not have been allowed?


In your allegory it's more as if we were judging the quality of step and beauty of movement in the various runners - nevermind how quick they are really they are all fast as fuck anyway.

(and yeah - what Lewis said, it's a bit of a shit comparison).

[Smiffy]

If you viewed it as a painting the legit goal would have been more worthy of showcasing in a gallery than the illegitimate goal it actually was so in that respect the beauty of the goal should be lost as the final stroke of the brush was a flawed one.

:henn0rz:

[niko_cee]

Right, that's one procedural home win in the bag . . .

[Baz]

Has MOTD having no sound been mentioned here? Recorded it on BBC1HD like a normal person would but it didn't have sound until the Everton game.

http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-Q/BBC-Match-of-the-Day-Chan-115-No-Sound/m-p/2578350

Thankfully I'm a dirty pirate so watched it on Sports Mania On Demand with sound in SD instead. Really annoying though.

[mo]

I'd have thought MOTD without sound was a blessing...

[Pleb]

Someone's going to get fired for switching the sound off during MOTD.

Has MOTD having no sound been mentioned here? Recorded it on BBC1HD like a normal person would but it didn't have sound until the Everton game.

http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-Q/BBC-Match-of-the-Day-Chan-115-No-Sound/m-p/2578350

Thankfully I'm a dirty pirate so watched it on Sports Mania On Demand with sound in SD instead. Really annoying though.
:sherlock:

[Smiffy]

Call me bias but we're going to hammer Stoke by four or more. :nodd:

[Pleb]

That's biased.

1-0 Stoke. Probably not but still...

[ScousePig]

Yeah but what I mean is that if we're in awards such as "Goal of the year" only - supposedly - judging the sheer beauty of the goal (of course couple with the skill it took to pull it off) - does it matter then that it should technically speaking not have been allowed?


In your allegory it's more as if we were judging the quality of step and beauty of movement in the various runners - nevermind how quick they are really they are all fast as fuck anyway.

(and yeah - what Lewis said, it's a bit of a shit comparison).

The comparison was a joke (hence the roll eyes).

Yeah and what I mean in reference to Lewis' post is how far do you go back on judging whether a goal was legitimate, and therefore whether it should count at all, let alone in a goal of the season contender.

I guess everyone will have different cut offs. Watching MotD and they were probably quite fair in their assessment of it - basically saying it was a great goal but it shouldn't have counted.

On here there was no real mention of it being offside when I posted (actually Kiko had summed it up well), just talk of the quality of the goal.

[ScousePig]

There's nothing wrong with the response. :cab:

Nor was there anything wrong with mine.

[Pleb]

1-0 Stoke. Probably not but still...
:drool:

[John Arne]

Not quite sure why the commentator is trying to blame Mignolet for that... bullet header from about 4 yards out. Lovren actually marking him would have helped.

EDIT: the replay from behind does look like his was a little out of position.

[Pleb]

Smiffy's lot are having a nightmare here.

[Gray Fox]

We look all kind of bobbins today. Any points will do from here.

[Pleb]

Lallana you jammy twat.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Klopp and Conte have the same very endearing quality of openly absolutely loving it when their team scores.

[-james-]

Liverpool have been shit all month. Lallana really is heroic though, one of the best players in the league.

[Giggles]

Klopp and Conte have the same very endearing quality of openly absolutely loving it when their team scores.

Conte is fine, Klopp just makes me want to see someone gun him down, right through the face.

[Boydy]

Playing shit but still winning. :drool:

[Smiffy]

Coutinho gets injured, I bring in Lallana. Firminho as capitain with Mane as vice....I like to think I'm playing my part.

If I get rid of Costa and Courtous I might cost Chelsea the title too tbh.

[Baz]

http://8bit-football.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/sturridge-dance.gif

[phonics]

Swansea have sacked Bradley. I am absolutely SHOCKED that the moment they froze out the Supporters Trust and Huw Jenkins started believing his own hype, it went to shit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

As 'Carra' pointed out just now, when they sacked Barry Monk due to believing they were bigger than they are, they were long term doomed from there.

[Giggles]

Jesus that was some shambolic appointment. Some clubs are run so badly.

[Smiffy]

Selling Ashley Williams and not going back in for Bony are two slants against Swansea.

[Pleb]

So Swansea are fucked then?

[phonics]

Bony is absolute dog shit. Wouldn't have done owt.

[Giggles]

So Swansea are fucked then?

A week earlier and they could have guaranteed safety before Palace got in there.

[Mazuuurk]

The comparison was a joke (hence the roll eyes).

Yeah and what I mean in reference to Lewis' post is how far do you go back on judging whether a goal was legitimate, and therefore whether it should count at all, let alone in a goal of the season contender.

I guess everyone will have different cut offs. Watching MotD and they were probably quite fair in their assessment of it - basically saying it was a great goal but it shouldn't have counted.

On here there was no real mention of it being offside when I posted (actually Kiko had summed it up well), just talk of the quality of the goal.

Yeah but you're still talking about the legitimacy of the goal more as one of the goals scored in the match. I'm talking about whether it should be eligible to become Goal of the year - because of how pretty it looked (and any goal that was allowed is surely in the contention, right?) - even though in hindsight we know it was offside.

[Baz]

Even Pards won't go to South Wales, surely? Time for Giggs to have a go?

[Lewis]

Swanselona mate. Get lost, Wales.

[Yevrah]

They should really give it to Giggs, just for the lols.

[Raoul Duke]

They should really give it to Giggs, just for the lols.

Why not? Big name, loads of experience organising a solid def...ah

[niko_cee]

lol if Swansea appoint Giggs.

I'm gearing up for a major e-victory here.

[Shindig]

Do they not have an ex-player they can chuck it to? Lee Trundle?

[Magic]

Giggs. :harold:

Be good to see Monk passing them. :drool:

[niko_cee]

Fairly safe to say that Giggs and his blazer would have been a better fucking bet than Bob and his impressive powerpoint presentation or whatever it was that swung it.

Not sure why they biffed Guidolin really, they looked alright under him and sacked him on the back of shaftings against City and Liverpool.

[Samadini]

Not sure why they biffed Guidolin really, they looked alright under him and sacked him on the back of shaftings against City and Liverpool.


Swanselona mate. Get lost, Wales.

Probably this.

[Smiffy]

The fact that Ryan Giggs name is even be mentioned tells you how deep in the shit Swansea are.

[Yevrah]

Fairly safe to say that Giggs and his blazer would have been a better fucking bet than Bob and his impressive powerpoint presentation or whatever it was that swung it.


I'm not sure, Giggs has the hallmarks of a dreadful manager.

[niko_cee]

Oh, I'd imagine that's more than likely, although less certain than the shitshow Bradley was sure to be (and was).

[Smiffy]

It's almost fact that wherever he goes he'll struggle, his teams will concede plenty and he'll blame the ref a lot whilst his mates in the media give him an easier time than most due to it being Giggs and "he needs time" etc.

The same will happen when the likes of Gerrard, Lampard and co go into management. None of them strike me as the sort who'd do that well. Then again I thought Gary Neville might have but he fucked it too.

[niko_cee]

I would imagine that Gary Rowett's agent might be quite busy in the next few weeks as teams at various levels sack their ailing managers. I'm not sure he'll get a go in the top division, but someone like Norwich could do a lot worse if they have had enough of Jock McNeil.

Bit gutted to see the seethe from Ian Holloway after the mild abuse he got today.

[Shindig]

I feel like, if ex-players are going to get their management careers in full swing, they need to start small.

[ScousePig]

Yeah but you're still talking about the legitimacy of the goal more as one of the goals scored in the match. I'm talking about whether it should be eligible to become Goal of the year - because of how pretty it looked (and any goal that was allowed is surely in the contention, right?) - even though in hindsight we know it was offside.

Yeah fair enough. If it did win there'd always be that nagging feeling about it.

[ScousePig]

Do they not have an ex-player they can chuck it to? Lee Trundle?

Have you seen his 3 minute hat-trick for Llanelli?

https://youtu.be/bwxq4DzoEKo

[Lewis]

'It's almost fact'. That is, not fact.

[Shindig]

Ok, the best part of that video was the 'Fuck it' nature of that botched restart.

[Smiffy]

But it almost is.

[Lewis]

True. He probably would be shit at Swansea, but I'm a true believer in niko's Binman in a Blazer theory, so he would be alright at United (so would Roy Keane).

[phonics]

It's too late to reference the tweets but Nasri's girlfriend using his Twitter to announce to the world he bangs mediocre looking hookers for 150 euros a go is top, top stuff.

[Shindig]

He's a mediocre man. Is he still going out with Tatyana Golovin?

[Adamski]

It's too late to reference the tweets but Nasri's girlfriend using his Twitter to announce to the world he bangs mediocre looking hookers for 150 euros a go is top, top stuff.

https://mobile.twitter.com/fromtstands/status/813888862321836032

[Smiffy]

I'm watching Tuzlaspor v Galatasary. Away side went 1-0 up then in space of ten minutes 3-1 down and down to nine men. 3-2 with 20 to go, Ates gets sent off for the home side....

[Giggles]

That Holloway rant on Brightons fans is quite special.

[Lewis]

That's nice isn't it? I hope you enjoy your Christmas and your New Year. Why don't you sing something better and different? I didn't mean to beat you in the play-offs (with Crystal Palace in 2013). Why don't you show a bit of respect? But that is life and football these days.

If it wasn't already, the 'Ian Holloway is David Brent' file is now officially closed.

[Reg]

More likeable as a pundit than manager. If he responded with just the "I didn't mean to beat you in the play-offs" bit it would have been fine, as he'd just be carrying on the banter (banter in football crowds: the one place where it's more likely to be some fun rather than an excuse to be a dickhead).