[FOOTBALL] New Year's Fixtures & More (Thurs 29 Dec 2016 - Thurs 5 Jan 2017)

[Smiffy]

The most un-Arsenal manager outside of Mourinho currently in the club game.

Tuchel or bust.

Simone would at least give them a set of balls. I must be missing it whatever Tuchel brings to the table.

[Manc]

Alliteration.

[Ian]

Have we already discussed Axel Witsel going to China?

Where does going there from Russia put him on the list of the great time-wasters?

[Shindig]

Nowhere near Samba and Hulk. "I'm being racially abused.... but I hear St. Petersburg is more open-minded."

[Smiffy]

All of a sudden defeats at Turf Moor and Dean Court doesn't seem so bad.

[Waffdon]

Great fan of two of Scotland's most exciting players in Ryan Fraser and Oliver Burke never getting game time.

[Smiffy]

Fraser has impressed me since he popped up in our game. He's seemingly come from nowhere.

As have Arsenal. 4-3 en route.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If Big Sam takes Palace down, he'll probably have to kill himself.

[Kikó]

Bournemouth are determined to twat this up.

[Giggles]

Arsenal :drool:

[Manc]

Gorgeous at it again.

[Smiffy]

Good match that but I reckon they would have grabbed a winner if Giroud had just got on with it instead of celebrating like a twat.

[Yevrah]

Stunning comeback it may be, but it's two points dropped and I'm not really sure why Wenger bothers anymore. He's absolutely incapable of pushing this team any further forward.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea to be eight points ahead before February . Jesus.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Now that Liverpool and Chelsea are good again, there are going to be some pretty sore motherfuckers in 5th and 6th come the end of the season. Well, Spurs and one other.

[Magic]

Stunning comeback it may be, but it's two points dropped and I'm not really sure why Wenger bothers anymore. He's absolutely incapable of pushing this team any further forward.

Probably the £15m a year.

[Boydy]

Now that Liverpool and Chelsea are good again, there are going to be some pretty sore motherfuckers in 5th and 6th come the end of the season. Well, Spurs and one other.

As much as I don't like United, the funniest option for that has to be City.

[Yevrah]

Probably the £15m a year.

Yeah, I guess trousering that sort of money every year helps.

[Yevrah]

As much as I don't like United, the funniest option for that has to be City.

I wonder if Pep would be sacked if that happened.

[Danny]

Mike 'more than a' Phelan has been sacked

[Smiffy]

Stunning comeback it may be, but it's two points dropped and I'm not really sure why Wenger bothers anymore. He's absolutely incapable of pushing this team any further forward.

3-0 down to draw 3-3 is a point gained no matter which way you look at it in my opinion but then it's not the Bournemouth's and co that Arsenal struggle against. They would be right in the mix if they were capable of beating the bigger clubs however still only 3 points off second. Tottenham need to do the league a favour tomorrow but that's about as likely as this post making complete sense.

[Giggles]

Now that Liverpool and Chelsea are good again, there are going to be some pretty sore motherfuckers in 5th and 6th come the end of the season. Well, Spurs and one other.

Leicester. Well not that they'll be 5th or 6th.

[Kikó]

Shows the mentality of Arsenal though to spend more time to celebrate than get the ball and run back for a 4th. Arsenal TV will be fuming.

[Mazuuurk]

Stunning comeback it may be, but it's two points dropped and I'm not really sure why Wenger bothers anymore. He's absolutely incapable of pushing this team any further forward.

It's so frustrating. I reckon even if I didn't like Arsenal as a team (by "like" I'm not sure what I actually mean), I'd be frustrated by them.

[Smiffy]

I wonder if Pep would be sacked if that happened.

Unlikely but compare theirs and Man United's fixtures from now until they face one another at the end of February then it's a very real possibility that United leapfrog both them and Spurs before March.

[Yevrah]

It's so frustrating. I reckon even if I didn't like Arsenal as a team (by "like" I'm not sure what I actually mean), I'd be frustrated by them.

I still find the boom and bust shaped lols to be amusing, but the whole thing's just fucking tragic these days. Everyone here knows broadly what's going to happen with Arsenal this season, everyone knows Wenger will do nothing to actually change things in the summer (another attacking midfielder anyone?) and everyone knows that that won't work.

I might be being harsh, but when his flaws both cut so deep and are those that a 5 year old could see, I'm not even sure he can legitimately be described as a 'good manager' anymore.

[Smiffy]

It's so frustrating. I reckon even if I didn't like Arsenal as a team (by "like" I'm not sure what I actually mean), I'd be frustrated by them.

There's an Arsenal TV thing on YouTube which is some top quality viewing. Tonight's should be glorious.

Sanchez seems to be getting fed up. Should have come to Liverpool, lad.

[Yevrah]

There's an Arsenal TV thing on YouTube which is some top quality viewing. Tonight's should be glorious.

Sanchez seems to be getting fed up. Should have come to Liverpool, lad.

Sanchez under Klopp. :drool:

[Smiffy]

I might be being harsh, but when his flaws both cut so deep and are those that a 5 year old could see, I'm not even sure he can legitimately be described as a 'good manager' anymore.

I don't think it's harsh at all. As much as I personally like Wenger himself I firmly believe it's him that makes them mentally fragile. Sod this Tuchel, Simone would stick some fight into them. Arsenal need to be more aggressive. As is you're right, they will wilt and crumble at the first sign of pressure.

[Smiffy]

Sanchez under Klopp. :drool:

I don't think it's too much of a stretch to suggest that of all the players in the league, he would suit us and our style of play better than anyone in the division. It's almost a perfect fit.

[Reg]

Stunning comeback it may be, but it's two points dropped and I'm not really sure why Wenger bothers anymore. He's absolutely incapable of pushing this team any further forward.
The last three years have been an improvement. Two FA Cups, and a higher league finish in each of the last couple years (4th, 3rd, 2nd).

It's not pushing forward in the way that winning the league or getting to the semis of the Champions League would be, but we have to give him some credit.

[Jeet]

Can a Chinese club buy Ramsey for £50 or £5mill please!

[Yevrah]

The last three years have been an improvement. Two FA Cups, and a higher league finish in each of the last couple years (4th, 3rd, 2nd).

It's not pushing forward in the way that winning the league or getting to the semis of the Champions League would be, but we have to give him some credit.

The FA Cup means next to nothing these days and purely looking at the league positions masks that not once in any of those seasons have they been in an actual title challenge and they're still as brittle as they ever were. They just have better players these days than they did 3/4 years ago.

There is no progress.

[Mazuuurk]

I still find the boom and bust shaped lols to be amusing, but the whole thing's just fucking tragic these days. Everyone here knows broadly what's going to happen with Arsenal this season, everyone knows Wenger will do nothing to actually change things in the summer (another attacking midfielder anyone?) and everyone knows that that won't work.

I might be being harsh, but when his flaws both cut so deep and are those that a 5 year old could see, I'm not even sure he can legitimately be described as a 'good manager' anymore.

I think there was some legitimacy in what Wenger was doing when Arsenal was spending about 40 million less than the other top 4 clubs every year, and kept selling off his stars but still sort of sticking around the top somehow (say what you will about that, but if that's the business-model I suppose it is). Now though they are spending just as much money as anyone else (on fucking Xhaka and Lucas Perez, which I cannot comprehend at this point, Xhaka is a fucking joke) - that argument is gone.

Now when you have a player like Sanchez - whose main contribution to Arsenal have been his energetic and enthusiastic playstyle which sort of seemed to catch on to some extent - when you see him walking around, tossing away a random cross every time he gets the ball and just looking generally a bit frustrated (because I doubt he's as tired as Wenger will blame this on), you know something is wrong.

Basically it's looking a bit like Arsenal is breaking Sanchez, which is so sad.

[Mazuuurk]

The FA Cup means next to nothing these days and purely looking at the league positions masks that not once in any of those seasons have they been in an actual title challenge and they're still as brittle as they ever were. They just have better players these days than they did 3/4 years ago.

There is no progress.

I agree actually. They always play well when there's nothing to play for. That's the only reason they end up 3rd and 2nd.

Their best bet is to go out the CL early, and have someone like Chelsea this season storm the league, so that there's not that much to lose and they can faff about passing the ball back and fourth outside the penalty box.

[Kikó]

The FA Cup means next to nothing says the none football team supporting fan. Give it a rest.

[Giggles]

it went out with the 90's.

[Offshore Toon]

I know I'm in the minority, but I'm much more likely to watch the FA Cup games this weekend than I am to watch any game week of the premier league.

[Yevrah]

The FA Cup means next to nothing says the none football team supporting fan. Give it a rest.

When you're a team like Arsenal winning it is not a sign of progress. Nice, I'd agree, but it's hardly ushered in a new, spine transplanting dawn, has it?

[Kikó]

They should be better than they are but it doesn't mean they're failing considering they're starting to win trophies again and improved league position.

[Smiffy]

I think there was some legitimacy in what Wenger was doing when Arsenal was spending about 40 million less than the other top 4 clubs every year, and kept selling off his stars but still sort of sticking around the top somehow (say what you will about that, but if that's the business-model I suppose it is). Now though they are spending just as much money as anyone else (on fucking Xhaka and Lucas Perez, which I cannot comprehend at this point, Xhaka is a fucking joke) - that argument is gone.

Now when you have a player like Sanchez - whose main contribution to Arsenal have been his energetic and enthusiastic playstyle which sort of seemed to catch on to some extent - when you see him walking around, tossing away a random cross every time he gets the ball and just looking generally a bit frustrated (because I doubt he's as tired as Wenger will blame this on), you know something is wrong.

Basically it's looking a bit like Arsenal is breaking Sanchez, which is so sad.

In fairness it was less a business plan and more the need to finance the stadium, no?

I thought Xhaka was finally starting to get to grips and Perez has hardly had a chance. 6 goals in 12 games for him now, not bad for £15M?. I detected the distain Sanchez had at points tonight. I still don't think they are a million miles away though.

[Yevrah]

They should be better than they are but it doesn't mean they're failing considering they're starting to win trophies again and improved league position.

You nearly had me, but you've overdone it there. :D

[Smiffy]

When you're a team like Arsenal winning it is not a sign of progress. Nice, I'd agree, but it's hardly ushered in a new, spine transplanting dawn, has it?

You've got to start somewhere. Some times it just takes a cup success to rediscover that winning mentality and it had been a fair while without.

[Yevrah]

Some times it just takes a cup success to rediscover that winning mentality and it had been a fair while without.

Sometimes it does, but (we all know) that it won't this time.

[Reg]

They finished higher in the league, regardless of how close they were to the winners. If you look at their points totals (http://www.arsenal-world.co.uk/club/league-history/), the last 3 seasons have all been higher than any of the previous 3. They're improving, they just haven't won the league yet.

Winning the FA Cup is better than not winning it. It gave their fans something to cheer.


I still find the boom and bust shaped lols to be amusing, but the whole thing's just fucking tragic these days. Everyone here knows broadly what's going to happen with Arsenal this season, everyone knows Wenger will do nothing to actually change things in the summer (another attacking midfielder anyone?) and everyone knows that that won't work.
He has changed his outlook at least a bit. They usually go with two of Coquelin/Elneny/Xhaka now, and the latter two are recent signings - and not floaty no.10 types.

Mustafi was signed after everyone was demanding a centre back, also.

[Yevrah]

Agree with the Mustafi point, but points totals? Nope, not having that.

[Jeet]

The FA Cup means jack. Here are the current FA Cup holder's team photo....something missing

http://i1.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article9135905.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Manchester-United-FC-Team-Photo.jpg

[Reg]

You're just counting league wins as progress then? They're getting better by most measures, they just haven't crossed the finish line yet.

[Smiffy]

Sometimes it does, but (we all know) that it won't this time.

True enough. The downfall will start right on cue.

http://s30.postimg.org/6qsfacypt/screenshot_700.png

[Smiffy]

The FA Cup means jack. Here are the current FA Cup holder's team photo....something missing

http://i1.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article9135905.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/Manchester-United-FC-Team-Photo.jpg

Erm....why would you parade something you won the previous season?

I want to say it's the atmosphere that's missing but that''s probably as loud as Old Trafford gets.

[Yevrah]

You're just counting league wins as progress then? They're getting better by most measures, they just haven't crossed the finish line yet.

Not solely, but you're taking the piss citing points totals as progress when the last three seasons read 71 - 75 - 79. They've dropped eight points in three seasons.

[Kikó]

Erm....why would you parade something you won the previous season?

I want to say it's the atmosphere that's missing but that''s probably as loud as Old Trafford gets.

Those in glass houses.

[Smiffy]

You're kidding, right? You should check out the famous European nights at Anfield this season. Absolutely rocking.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The atmosphere is terrible at all home grounds now and I don't think there is a single exception to that, possibly Palace but that's in South Croydon so nobody wins.

[Kikó]

Even that was pretty average when I was there the other night.

[Danny]

Erm....why would you parade something you won the previous season?

Used to be the done thing.

[Kikó]

Probably a fuck off van Gaal thing.

[Raoul Duke]

Probably a fuck off van Gaal thing.

No Sweinstieger either?

[Smiffy]

Used to be the done thing.

:moop: One League Cup in the last decade means I'm excused from knowing this.

[Raoul Duke]

Mike Phelan sacked by Hull Tiger FC :henn0rz:

Good job they wasted half the summer dicking about not giving him a contract and making him play the under-12s for the first few games, the set of twats

[Smiffy]

Pardiola?

[Danny]

:moop: One League Cup in the last decade means I'm excused from knowing this.

:D

[Lewis]

Not solely, but you're taking the piss citing points totals as progress when the last three seasons read 71 - 75 - 79. They've dropped eight points in three seasons.

Leicester winning it (and Tottenham BOTTLING IT) concealed just how shit Arsenal's effort was last season. Fucking United were only five points behind.

[Raoul Duke]

Pardiola?

They should go for that guy from Birmingham, but they'll probably appoint Sven or some other asshat as they're run by that bonkers Egyptian guy

[Smiffy]

They should go for that guy from Birmingham, but they'll probably appoint Sven or some other asshat as they're run by that bonkers Egyptian guy

I would question why any manager employed or otherwise would want to touch the job given the amount of meddling there appears to be.

[Manc]

Arsenal will forever be two or three players away from winning the league.

[Lewis]

You could pocket three million quid (not to mention bonuses) between now and June, and you either go down and nobody blames you, or you stay up and move to somebody more stable.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Alright. I'll take it.

[Smiffy]

Fair point. I don't think the former Man United manager actually done too bad considering the circumstances although I say that, without Snodgrass I reckon they'd be on for beating Derby's record.

[Offshore Toon]

The atmosphere is terrible at all home grounds now and I don't think there is a single exception to that, possibly Palace but that's in South Croydon so nobody wins.
I was sat in the Palace end for Palace v Newcastle a couple of seasons ago and they had nothing. Unless you count a guy shouting "oi big nose!" at Obertan whilst he was warming up as atmosphere.

[Kikó]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JAVvEQvnDm0/sddefault.jpg

[phonics]

Just seen the good ol' "But would Chelsea or Manchester United go 3-0 down in the first place" take. Ignoring the fact that we beat Chelsea 3-0 and United lost, what, 5-0? this season alone.

[Mazuuurk]

When Chelsea lost 3-0 (and before) there was plenty of crisis-talk going on.

The difference is that Chelsea had a single shit season that was looking to continue into this one, but snapped out of it (presumably thanks to a combo of swapping tactics and Conte being a bit of a don). For Arsenal on the other hand - this has been going on for 5-10 years. Every time this happens noone is surprised. Arsenal never go on the kind of run Chelsea are on now. If they beat Chelsea 3-0 one week, they lose against Stoke the next one.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was sat in the Palace end for Palace v Newcastle a couple of seasons ago and they had nothing. Unless you count a guy shouting "oi big nose!" at Obertan whilst he was warming up as atmosphere.
They always seem to have the constant Euro-style song of 'South London's number one, you know it's true, in red and blue' going when I watch which creates a constant background noise at least. No idea what it's like at the actual ground, I don't travel by tram.

Quite who they're ousting to be south London's number one is anyone's guess though, times are hard at Dulwich Hamlet, and Tooting & Mitcham's glory days appear to be elusive too.

[phonics]

When Chelsea lost 3-0 (and before) there was plenty of crisis-talk going on.

The difference is that Chelsea had a single shit season that was looking to continue into this one, but snapped out of it (presumably thanks to a combo of swapping tactics and Conte being a bit of a don). For Arsenal on the other hand - this has been going on for 5-10 years. Every time this happens noone is surprised. Arsenal never go on the kind of run Chelsea are on now. If they beat Chelsea 3-0 one week, they lose against Stoke the next one.

That record that Chelsea are looking to beat tonight is held by Arsenal. Arsenal went 14 games unbeaten this season. Every piece of writing about Arsenal is as if no other team has ever conceded a goal, let alone lost a game.

[Mazuuurk]

That record that Chelsea are looking to beat tonight is held by Arsenal. Arsenal went 14 games unbeaten this season. Every piece of writing about Arsenal is as if no other team has ever conceded a goal, let alone lost a game.

That record is from 2002! Not this season. And it's not unbeaten, it's games WON in a row.

2002!!!

I mean, Arsenal have won the fucking league more recently than that. When they had Killer instinct. The whole point is that the last 10 years they have not done that, and they are not winning the league because of games like last night.

[phonics]

You're literally not even debating the point I made any more so I'm going to move on.

[Mazuuurk]

Ok then.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm with phonics, I don't know what people are expecting. Only one team can win the league per year and odds are that generally won't be Arsenal.

[Mazuuurk]

The Arsenal fans are expecting to be that one team, yeah? Which is why they are constantly disappointed. Because with performances like last night, you don't become that one team.

[mugbull]

Yeah, odds are against Arsenal because they're turd. Given their finances, you'd expect them to be in Chelsea/City territory, which they aren't.

[Magic]

Don't they spend pretty much what they get? i.e no sugar daddyism.

[Offshore Toon]

They always seem to have the constant Euro-style song of 'South London's number one, you know it's true, in red and blue' going when I watch which creates a constant background noise at least. No idea what it's like at the actual ground, I don't travel by tram.

Quite who they're ousting to be south London's number one is anyone's guess though, times are hard at Dulwich Hamlet, and Tooting & Mitcham's glory days appear to be elusive too.
There was a little section with a bit of a rumble throughout the match, but even Brighton have that.

[Max Power]

I guess the thing with Arsenal is that it's perfectly fine consistently finishing high up and winning the odd domestic cup but when you are one of the richest clubs in the world (6th maybe?) and have one of the highest paid managers in the world you have to at least CHALLENGE for major trophies.

[Spammer]

The MIGHTY BLADES are top of the league :cool:

Bout time we got out of this tinpot division.

[Giggles]

Someone didn't take Arsenal's comeback at all well anyway.

http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/38507682

[Magic]

Jesus Christ that is pretty fucking appalling.

[Disco]

It's not even a good joke.

[mugbull]

It's not even a good joke.

Yeah mate, if he'd made a solid joke about the man's dead kid it would be a lot better

[Davgooner]

Fucking loved the comeback regardless of the circumstances; if you don't enjoy that sort of shit you're a proper boring fuck. Plenty of anti-Wenger/club sentiments as per usual, but still a lot of wankers willing to chant the geezer's name.

Thought Bellerin had a cracking game. :uhoh:

[bruhnaldo]

Yeah mate, if he'd made a solid joke about the man's dead kid it would be a lot better

Because that's certainly what he's implying.

[bruhnaldo]

He just looks like a dickhead.

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/DA08/production/_93261855_alfie_barker.jpg

Even the name "Alfie Barker" just screams out "probably a cunt".

[Jimmy Floyd]

What would motivate you to send that? It's not like Harry Arter is some well known hate figure.

[Kikó]

http://champions-speakers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Alan-Smith-Main.jpg + https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Mitko_Berbatov_cropped.jpg/200px-Mitko_Berbatov_cropped.jpg

[Lewis]

It's about as good a joke as you could have packed into that particular set of circumstances.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hitchin player on loan at Codicote.

Two places where I've spent most of my life, we're on the map now.

[Jimmy Floyd]

http://champions-speakers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Alan-Smith-Main.jpg + https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Mitko_Berbatov_cropped.jpg/200px-Mitko_Berbatov_cropped.jpg

Is this like pictionary? It's keeping me occupied for the afternoon at any rate.

[Baz]

It's about as good a joke as you could have packed into that particular set of circumstances.
It's outstanding, in my opinion.

But like others have said, what's the point? Fair enough if it was someone who is notoriously a massive prick, but what's Harry Arter done to warrant that? Alfie Barker is indeed a dickhead.

[Giggles]

Maybe they've history.

[Waffdon]

This game should be good fun. Spurs playing five central players is a bit off.

[Kikó]

Is this like pictionary? It's keeping me occupied for the afternoon at any rate.

It's United's new coaching setup.

(I was saying that nobody footballer looks like the child of those two. Just too lazy to explain)

[bruhnaldo]

Am I the only one who doesn't see any resemblance whatsoever?

[Giggles]

Souness definitely looks recovered from whatever was wrong with him a while back. Definitely my favourite pundit on TV.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They make a good pair. How interesting you actually are/how interesting you think you are.

[Reg]

Excited for this one. The big Prem games haven't let us down yet(?).

[Giggles]

What was Hazard at taking that first time?

[Waffdon]

Kante is incredible.

[CJay]

Red Monday, Reg. :sick:

Considering his colossal strength and his ability to waltz past people, Moussa Dembele doesn't have much of an end product.

[Reg]

Oh yeah, not exactly a classic. CJay

Dembele's so tough to get the ball from. You're right though: looking at his stats he's got 0 goals and 0 assists this season.

[Giggles]

Spurs whole midfield looks very weak.

[Spoonsky]

I could watch Costa have a go at Pedro all day.

[phonics]

Costa, frustrated that he's not allowed to knock out any Tottenham players turns his frustrations to Pedro :D

[CJay]

Spurs whole midfield looks very weak.

Physically or just not very good? I think they're doing well. Horribly lacking in creativity but so strong in the tackle and in possession.

[Giggles]

Physically or just not very good? I think they're doing well. Horribly lacking in creativity but so strong in the tackle and in possession.

All huff and puff and not an end product between them (including the wing backs).

[phonics]

Red Monday, Reg. :sick:

Considering his colossal strength and his ability to waltz past people, Moussa Dembele doesn't have much of an end product.

I read an interesting story about his local pitch growing up being one of those cages but without goals so the 'aim of the game' so to speak was to dribble it up to a line and hold on to it for a few seconds to score. Though it does explain his entire career to succinctly to be real.

[Waffdon]

Matic might somehow be more one footed than Antonio Valencia.

[Giggles]

This has been a massive yawn so far.

[CJay]

I always thought Navas was the standard against which one-footedness was measured. Valencia is right up there too I suppose. There's no way a central midfielder could get away with being that one-footed.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This game so far is just 35 minutes of Wanyama shoulder charges and Danny Rose being a vile little shit.

[Lewis]

All huff and puff and not an end product between them (including the wing backs).

That is Tottenham every week isn't it? They over-power and out-PRESS the rubbish teams, but anyone remotely solid can stand up to them easily enough.

[CJay]

Woof. How does Alli always get free for those?

[Boydy]

What was wrong with his celebration?

[Spoonsky]

Get in there you sumbitch.

He'll probably get sent off in the second half.

[Waffdon]

Someone is picking up a second yellow without a doubt. Fabregas should come on straight away

[Giggles]

That is woeful defending.

[Reg]

Azpilicueta and Moses looking unlike centreback and wingback there. Both able to mark Alli, both decided not to.

[Waffdon]

Azpilicueta and Moses looking unlike centreback and wingback there. Both able to mark Alli, both decided not to.

Mental how they've hardly conceded. Courtois has saved them a fair bit. Kante just helps anyone it seems. Leicester defence last year and now this year.

[Reg]

Killer counterattacks winning the big matches for them at the mo. Not defending.

[Kikó]

This game is great. Lovely attacking intent.

[mugbull]

Kane aside we're playing really well. Rose showing why he's the best left back in the Prem these days (kind of depressing to thibk?)

[Reg]

Rose and Milner for me Clive.

[Giggles]

Haven't seen a big pile of Chelsea but they look like piss and wind merchants too.

EDIT: For fucks sake.

[mugbull]

Ahahahah was fur ein Witz

[Spoonsky]

yes

Conte just made the most textbook :\ face I've ever seen.

[Kikó]

Travolta is fuming.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Apart from the 13 straight games we won before this.

Our defence works because it's so balanced, football isn't a case of adding the sum ability of individuals.

[Smiffy]

Spurs have been good and the scoreline is glorious.

[Reg]

Apart from the 13 straight games we won before this.

Our defence works because it's so balanced, football isn't a case of adding the sum ability of individuals.
Is this in response to my post? I said big games. The clean sheets vs. lower teams are a different scenario. And you're right about the sum ability, of course (as arguably your entire back 5 shows.)

Though that second goal is the same again - Azp and Moses both failing to do their jobs. A team is supposed to be strong defending crosses with a back 3/5, but the individuals are letting you down tonight.

[Manc]

Both teams playing a back three. It's like 90's Italia.

[Giggles]

When did Spurs switch to 3? They had 4 in the CL games I seen.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is this in response to my post? I said big games. The clean sheets vs. lower teams are a different scenario. And you're right about the sum ability, of course (as arguably your entire back 5 shows.)

Though that second goal is the same again - Azp and Moses both failing to do their jobs. A team is supposed to be strong defending crosses with a back 3/5, but the individuals are letting you down tonight.

Think it was in response to Giggles but really it was just trying to maintain outward cool whilst I chew my Chelsea FC pillowcase to ribbons.

[Reg]

:D Fair enough.

[Giggles]

Think it was in response to Giggles but really it was just trying to maintain outward cool whilst I chew my Chelsea FC pillowcase to ribbons.

The just look very uncreative going foreward I thought. Though I've not seen much of them and gather quick counter attacking is more their thing. Should still be beating this lot though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We weren't really trying that hard. You take away the two goal incidents and it's the dreadful 0-0 we set out for, fair play to Spurs for taking their chances which we haven't done.

[Jeet]

Chelsea unable to win in North london again!

[Waffdon]

Get Michy on :(

[mugbull]

We weren't really trying that hard. You take away the two goal incidents and it's the dreadful 0-0 we set out for, fair play to Spurs for taking their chances which we haven't done.

You sound like the Trump campaign's "if California wasn't a state we would have won the popular vote" bimbo

[Waffdon]

Why on earth would you keep 3 at the back?

[Max Power]

Probably the worst game Kante has had in this country.

[phonics]

Chelsea have been shown up by every decent side they've faced.

[Adamski]

Chelsea have been shown up by every decent side they've faced.

And Arsenal

[Giggles]

Is there no ball this weekend?

[Jimmy Floyd]

FA Cup. We have a nice rebound game against the Peterborough United.

[Waffdon]

Our game on Friday against Hibs is meant to be heading for over 19k. Pretty impressive

[Giggles]

FA Cup. We have a nice rebound game against the Peterborough United.

That makes sense. I was wondering why Sky were showing their next live games as the following weekend. Is the FA Cup still on BBC/BT?

[Yevrah]

Quite enjoyed that, albeit Chelsea were wank.

We could do worse than giving small pockets the England job when Southgate inevitably muffs it.

[Giggles]

Conte really requires concentration to understand.

[Reg]

Both teams playing a back three. It's like 90's Italia.
Nowhere near as fun as Man City v Chelsea when City went with a back 3 but crazy higher wingers (3-2-4-1 or whatever). When teams actually match systems (close enough tonight) it's usually nowhere near as entertaining.


When did Spurs switch to 3? They had 4 in the CL games I seen.
Been playing it for a while now, domestically at least. Pocc seems reluctant to explain why.

[-james-]

Chelsea have been shown up by every decent side they've faced.

They were hardly shown up by City, and I'm not really sure the games up to and including the Arsenal one are relevant.

[Spoonsky]

If a team lost all their games to the rest of the big four or five, but won all the rest, would they win the league?

[Jimmy Floyd]

If you won 28 games and lost 10 that would be 84 points, which is often a title-winning score.

[Danny]

More than likely.

Take out the games against the rest big 4 (so 3 teams 6 losses) and you have 32 games left. Win all those and you are on 96 points. That would have won you the league every year since football began in 1992 (Chelsea with 95 is the record)

Take out the rest of a big 5 (4 teams 8 losses) and you end up on 90 points and would have won the league all but 6 seasons (assuming the link below is accurate still). 2 of those would then come down to GD.

And then Jims Scenario. Which according to to the below link means you would have lost atleast 10 title races.
http://www.express.co.uk/pictures/galleries/4725/Highest-points-totals-Premier-League-history-sportgalleries

[Lewis]

United only picked up five points of the other members of the BIG FOUR (halcyon days) in 2008/09, where as Liverpool got fourteen; but United beat everybody else, and 'Rafa' was too busy having a MELTDOWN over the winter.

[Spoonsky]

Liverpool were still well in it in the spring, until Lucas gave away a late penalty to draw at Stoke and Federico Macheda did his bullshit goal. I fucking hated Lucas back then. Little did I realize that eight years later he'd be the only remaining member of that squad.

[Raoul Duke]

United only picked up five points of the other members of the BIG FOUR (halcyon days) in 2008/09, where as Liverpool got fourteen; but United beat everybody else, and 'Rafa' was too busy having a MELTDOWN over the winter.

Was that when we lost/drew with Newcastle on the opening day and then bummed everyone else into oblivion? It was something like 'we beat everyone outside the top 6 home and away (apart from that first result).

As a wise man once said: "you've got to beat The Shit"

[Reg]

Feghouli's red card rescinded, Fernandinho's upheld. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jan/04/west-ham-sofiane-feghouli-red-card-manchester-united-rescinded-fa?CMP=fb_a-football_b-gdnfootball

[Lewis]

Was that when we lost/drew with Newcastle on the opening day and then bummed everyone else into oblivion? It was something like 'we beat everyone outside the top 6 home and away (apart from that first result).

As a wise man once said: "you've got to beat The Shit"

Yeah. They got five points from the opening four games, managed to get back into it in time for Liverpool and Chelsea fell to bits as soon as it got dark, and when they came back from Japan they dropped seven points from the next sixty-six.

[Reg]

Is this 99/2000 you're talking about, Lewis? For the Club World Cup thing? I remember that tournament quite well: it was my first time watching it and it felt weird and exotic. Quentin Fortune being United's best player and playing up front.

[Danny]

That one was Brazil wasnt it? And long before Rafa

2008/2009 is what hes on about.

[Lewis]

Yeah, 2008/09, when they also went to Japan off the back of 2008. I think Ronaldo missed those first four games with the surgery (http://www.ronaldo7.net/extra/fashion/cristiano-ronaldo-fashion-with-crutches.jpg) they made him get to annoy Madrid, and then he was in a mood until about February. That was the year Ryan Giggs won Player of the Year on the sympathy vote, when Nemanja Vidic was the most blatant winner in the history of the award (maybe not, but he was robbed again in 2011).

[Reg]

Ah, I didn't take in the Rafa mention. I don't think I watched that one.