[FOOTBALL] Weekend Fixtures ft. Chelsea's title(?) and Football League Play-Offs

[Reg]

TV list including simultaenous Sunday La-Liga games http://www.live-footballontv.com
BBC fixtures including Scottish play-offs http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/fixtures

Kick-offs 15:00 unless stated.

FRIDAY:
Everton v Watford - 19:45
West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea - 20:00 (Sky Sports 1)

Aberdeen v Celtic - 19:45 BT Sport 1

SATURDAY:
Manchester City v Leicester City - 12:30 (Sky Sports 1)
Bournemouth v Burnley
Middlesbrough v Southampton
Sunderland v Swansea City
Stoke City v Arsenal - 17:30 (Sky Sports 1)

Fulham v Reading - 17:30 (Sky Sports 2)

Rangers v Hearts - 12:15 (Sky Sports 2)

SUNDAY:
Crystal Palace v Hull City - 12:00 (Sky Sports 1)
West Ham United v Liverpool - 14:15 (Sky Sports 1)
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - 16:30 (Sky Sports 1)

Huddersfield Town v Sheffield Wednesday - 12:00 (Sky Sports 2)

Forest Green Rovers v Tranmere Rovers (Final) - 15:00 (BT Sport 1)

Blackpool v Luton Town - 18:30 (Sky Sports 2)
Carlisle United v Exeter City - 18:30 (Sky Sports Red Button)

Roma v Juventus - 19:45 (BT Sport 1 )

MONDAY:
Chelsea v Watford - 20:00 (Sky Sports 1)

[Jimmy Floyd]

Michy :cool:

Conte's celebration there was bordering on unhinged.

[CJay]

That goal stemmed directly from Cahill(?)'s slice which was greeted with loud ironic cheers from the West Brom fans. :harold:

[Adamski]

West Brom will win tonight just to piss me off more than it'll probably piss Spurs off. :moop:

+1

[Giggles]

Job done :cool:

Still don't know if it's Conte or just no Mourinho, but it's worked.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That goal stemmed directly from Cahill(?)'s slice which was greeted with loud ironic cheers from the West Brom fans. :harold:

I think Pulis has a 20,000 odd personal support he takes with him regardless of the club he's managing.

[Giggles]

Nah every teams supporters jeer when something like that happens an opposition player, not just Pulis team ones.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We've been absolutely bollocks in this second half as well. If Rondon wasn't Akinbiyi's regen we'd have lost.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Now, where's the bloke with the red face.

[Kikó]

Great credit to Chelsea. Made it look easy this season.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Conte is almost touching Ranieri heights in terms of likeable Chelsea managers. He just loves it. Probably got us 15-20 points in bungs as well.

[CJay]

Conte is made to look very small when everybody keeps lifting him up like that. :D

[Reg]

Well done Conte, he's done excellently. Although I wonder if Stoke would have won the title if they'd bought Kante.


Conte is almost touching Ranieri heights in terms of likeable Chelsea managers. He just loves it. Probably got us 15-20 points in bungs as well.
Have to admit it'd be exciting if English football had its own case of Calciopoli.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Kanté was a don in those celebrations. Just doesn't care. Probably has bigger fish to fry.

[Lewis]

Conte is almost touching Ranieri heights in terms of likeable Chelsea managers. He just loves it. Probably got us 15-20 points in bungs as well.

He's Jurgen 'Jurgen Klopp' Klopp with worse English and a dozen facelifts. Italian idiot.

[Giggles]

He's Jurgen 'Jurgen Klopp' Klopp with worse English and a dozen facelifts. Italian idiot.

And not a fraud.

[Lewis]

It might be a bit uncharitable to say Smallpockets writ large, but, seeing as Juventus have only improved since he went, we'll see how it pans out when there are more than two teams (one of which is fucking Tottenham) with their acts together. If he retains it then fair play mate. Whoever said you look like Barry Manilow was completely wrong.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's Jurgen 'Jurgen Klopp' Klopp with worse English and a dozen facelifts. Italian idiot.

I can't think of two more different managers than him and Klopp. Well, maybe Rinus Michels and Barry Fry. But you know what I mean.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why am I now looking at Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Adebayo Akinfenwa somehow squeezing themselves onto the same bench in front of a bunch of pissed up children?

[Lewis]

I meant in terms of their touchline 'antics', which, if done by a British manager, would rightly make them a national hate figure.

[Reg]

Klopp, Conte, and Pochettino are average and overrated.

Management according to Lewis.

Oh, and Moyes would be winning things at United if given time.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Akinfenwa is wearing a 'Beast Mode' cap indoors and speaks worse English than Hasselbaink. Someone put him out of his misery.

[ScousePig]

The mags flying a plane with a banner over ours tomorrow, and they've actually managed to make it more cringeworthy than ours by bringing cancer into it.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/first-look-newcastle-united-fan-13026216

In fairness it sounds like there was quite a big attempt to get it stopped, or at least the words changed.

[Abelxaviersdodgyhairdo]

I meant in terms of their touchline 'antics', which, if done by a British manager, would rightly make them a national hate figure.

Or a laughing stock.

https://media.giphy.com/media/ofM4yiAivjgUo/giphy.gif

British managers don't react that way because they simply don't win enough games to warrant it. In fact the only British manager in the top ten right now is the one who just lost to Chelsea or the Leicester manager if you're wanting to include his four or five wins too.

[Abelxaviersdodgyhairdo]

The mags flying a plane with a banner over ours tomorrow, and they've actually managed to make it more cringeworthy than ours by bringing cancer into it.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/first-look-newcastle-united-fan-13026216

In fairness it sounds like there was quite a big attempt to get it stopped, or at least the words changed.

It's not great but then with over £4K going to the three children who are battling it, is it that bad? Poor taste perhaps but it's raised money that could potential save them. Every silver cloud...

[ScousePig]

It's not great but then with over £4K going to the three children who are battling it, is it that bad? Poor taste perhaps but it's raised money that could potential save them. Every silver cloud...

Of course, but using cancer and putting it on a banner to get one over on your rivals is pretty crass. Just raise the money and do a flyover reminding us how shit we are.

[Shindig]

I wouldn't say it's in poor taste. It's accurate. Two clubs in different leagues both supporting cancer charities. We can't change the fact they're in different leagues.

[Lewis]

Klopp, Conte, and Pochettino are average and overrated.

Management according to Lewis.

Oh, and Moyes would be winning things at United if given time.

I don't remember saying that about David Moyes, but yeah pretty much.

[ScousePig]

I wouldn't say it's in poor taste. It's accurate. Two clubs in different leagues both supporting cancer charities. We can't change the fact they're in different leagues.

Honestly? I'm surprised at that. Most of the mags on here and those that frequent our forum are pretty sound, and I think you're the first that hasn't found it awful.

[Samadini]

Unfortunately the poll with what should be on the banner was put forward to morons on Facebook and the guy in charge of it all appears to be a serious bellend. Him and his mates seemed to just offer people out for a fight if they asked for it to be changed.

[Magic]

What a dreadfully boring season.

[Pleb]

So sign Kante and you will get a league title then?

Interesting :sherlock:

[Shindig]

Honestly? I'm surprised at that. Most of the mags on here and those that frequent our forum are pretty sound, and I think you're the first that hasn't found it awful.

Benefit of the doubt. Poorly phrased but probably not mean spirited. Although they could've avoided all this if they just replaced 'leagues' with 'loyalties'.

[Offshore Toon]

I thought it was referring to Jack 'Cancer' Colback.

[Adamski]

Klopp, Conte, and Pochettino are average and overrated.

Management according to Lewis.

Oh, and Moyes would be winning things at United if given time.

Don't forget the best of them all 'Pepwatch'

[Shindig]

Is Martinez Watch still in effect?

[Dquincy]

Would Chelsea have won the league if they had been in the Champions League?

Not sure, but that's an interesting point.

Next question?

[Kikó]

When do Chelsea start having history?

6 league titles, a few Fa cups, European and uefa cup. Must be getting close.

[John]

Would Chelsea have won the league if they had been in the Champions League?

Not sure, but that's an interesting point.

Next question?

What the Dickens is this? You're proposing a question, offering your own non answer and praising your own thinking, then dismissing it to invite another question. :D

[Dquincy]

:D It's a new posting style I'm trying out.

[Baz]

I've accidentally :cab: bet on Boro today so cmon Negredo lad.

[Lewis]

Don't forget the best of them all 'Pepwatch'

Yeah, don't forget. He proves the point.

[Shindig]

I've forgotten how weird it is to finish our season weeks before everyone else. Gives me a chance to watch the BBL Playoff final, I guess. 'mon Eagles. And the North West 200, unless somebody dies.

Okay, it's delayed by weather. And John McGuinness has broken his ribs and spine. :(

[Gray Fox]

Assuming City and Arsenal both pick up their expected routine wins today, there'll be the bottle job, to end all bottle jobs going on tomorrow.

I want to go into hiding already.

[Shindig]

Face up to it. This time last year you were preparing for a Europa League final.

[Offshore Toon]

Leicester did one over on City earlier in the season, didn't they? Its hardly a formality with their new-found form as well.

[Abelxaviersdodgyhairdo]

I would rather Manchester City take top four over Arsenal as I think they would be more of a threat in the long run than Wenger's quarter finalists. I wouldn't put my house on both teams winning today though as each game has the potential cause a surprise. Leicester have looked good in recent weeks and I can't remember the last time Arsenal won away at Stoke.

I also want Swansea to win against Sunderland so the Crystal Palace tomorrow becomes even bigger than it's already looking.

[Adamski]

Yeah, don't forget. He proves the point.

I wonder if Peps got a Lewis watch? How do you reckon he thinks you're doing?

[Magic]

Fucking hell I just checked Fiorentina v Lazio past 6 games to see if it might be worth watching. Both teams got results like 5-4, 7-3, 6-2 etc. :drool:

[CJay]

Woof. Did someone not score a penalty like that the other day? Good call.

[Abelxaviersdodgyhairdo]

Marc Albrighton looked like he went one on one with Conor McGregor.

What is everyone's opinion here on video technology? It was a great call for the penalty but then Manchester City's first goal should have probably been ruled out after Raheem Sterling interfered. I'm in favour of it as I think time has shown that goal line technology works as well as I always suspected it would and so I don't see how it would be much different when you take into account how long it took to decide whether David Silva's goal should have stood.

I would be surprised if we get three goals combined in the 3pm kick off's so I'm not sure if I'll stick around for them.

[GS]

Liverpool will contrive to lose to West Ham, ensuring a fifth place finish and endless moaning about how it is a MASSIVE SUMMER.

Someone get the graph.

[Gray Fox]

City just about get the job done. Arsenal all over Stoke.

We look like we've no Firmino or Lucas able to start tomorrow either. All quite depressing really.

[Magic]

Reading and Stam are fucking nauseating. What a shite club.

[Waffdon]

Diego Costa must have been right on the gear last night. These videos and stories kicking about :D

[Boydy]

Don't just post that, you annoying little turd.

[Waffdon]

Just search his name on Twitter.

[niko_cee]

Feeling quite good about getting on Arsene's 4th place express a few weeks ago when it looked remote to say the least.

What's the deal with Henderson? He seems to have suffered one of those largely unexplained minor injuries which keeps him out for months - usually another Arsenal special. Has he failed a recreational drugs test or something?

[Magic]

Don't just post that, you annoying little turd.

The fuck. :D

[Shindig]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/13/watching-man-child-diego-costas-antics-close-makes-think-does/

I was going to post snippets but the whole thing just keeps giving. He's Ibrahimovic II.

[Samadini]

Feeling quite good about getting on Arsene's 4th place express a few weeks ago when it looked remote to say the least.

What's the deal with Henderson? He seems to have suffered one of those largely unexplained minor injuries which keeps him out for months - usually another Arsenal special. Has he failed a recreational drugs test or something?

I often wonder with injuries like that whether they're just related to stress/depression. You never really hear about it, but it must happen.

Or yeah, maybe he's a coke fiend like Rosicky.

[Baz]

I've accidentally :cab: bet on Boro today so cmon Negredo lad.I cashed out for 8p profit after City won and put it back in with Southampton winning instead. Now I can either cash out for £20.85 or wait til Spurs win and get £38.40. :)

[Boydy]

The fuck. :D

No explanation, no links, nothing. It's so annoying.

[Lewis]

Hull going down must be the most non-event relegation ever. Nobody blames the three managers, and everybody accepted it in August; but at the same time they can only RAGE against the owners so much because there isn't really that sense of Top Flight Football entitlement around the club.

Could be worse, lads. Could be Blackburn.

[Magic]

PO semis have been dreadful so far.

[ScousePig]

Aye, there's hope for Sunderland yet.

[Gray Fox]

Starting Sturridge.

How long before he goes off injured?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

28 minutes.

[Gray Fox]

Optimistic I see.

[Lewis]

Big Sam though. Best English manager since... Bobby Robson?

[ScousePig]

That would have been us now were it not for England. Top manager.

[Waffdon]

No explanation, no links, nothing. It's so annoying.

Square go, ya prick

[Mike]

Starting Sturridge.

How long before he goes off injured?

Nah, last few goals to get his summer price up

[Shindig]

That would have been us now were it not for England. Top manager.

Well ... top in the sense that you know what you're getting with him. Survival. Few can do that. I'd argue Pulis is his only comparable. It'd be nice to see if he can build at a club. Bolton's the closest he's come to that because he either gets sacked, resigns or moves to another job every couple of years.

[Mike]

:cool2: He never lost it.

[Gray Fox]

He's one player I'd love to have seen just how could he would have become without the injuries. Come on now, play smart.

[Mike]

I hope he stays

[Gray Fox]

Talk about riding our luck in the 1st half. We're going to need to add at least 1 goal in the second. Too many risky passes being played around the back.

[Lewis]

United are playing an actual back five, and Wayne Rooney in midfield. :drool:

[Danny]

They should have stopped the play there but that defending :lol: FFS

Liverpool win and loss in the last game.
Draw and win for Arsenal with the right GD in the final games.

Playoff :drool:

[Lewis]

Big Sam could finish above West Ham if/when United throw their last game. Slaven Bilic is a chump.

[Mike]

Easy this

[mo]

Forest Green 3-1 up against Tranmere in the National League Play-off Final. Some good goals too (like, legit good, not just Conference good) but then also some proper Sunday League defending from Tranmere.

[Reg]

If the Forza app has got the United lineup right, it's a back 3/5. But the most concerning/wtf thing is: a midfield pairing of Carrick and Rooney, against the most intense side in the league.

[Gray Fox]

It's almost like he doesn't care about this game.

He's got all of his eggs in the Europa League basket.

[Shindig]

Alright, this BBL Final's a write-off. Leicester running riot and we can't sink a shot.

[Reg]

It's almost like he doesn't care about this game.

He's got all of his eggs in the Europa League basket.
He's allowed to try and win the game though.

[Danny]

Rooney's marking :face:

[Kikó]

Rooney needs more respect from the football media.

[Reg]

So easy to shove off Jones there, and then he falls over again himself. Classic. Just needed a header whilst he was on the ground.

[Kikó]

Good this.

[Lewis]

At least we've learned that Eric Bailly can even full-back.

[Lewis]

lol he had probably missed that were it not for the deflection.

[SvN]

New 5 year contract tomorrow.

[Kikó]

Rooney has really got to be in the next England squad.

[randomlegend]

At least we've learned that Eric Bailly can even full-back.

I expect him to cure cancer at any moment to be honest.

Martial has been really mismanaged by Mourinho IMO. He's such a good player.

[Lewis]

It was all a MIND GAME to make him prove he can track back, which he has been doing today. Sensational management.

[Kikó]

Players can never take responsibility for their own performance.

[SvN]

Ronaldo is such a beast. Great goal to make it 3-1.

[Smiffy]

Liverpool will contrive to lose to West Ham, ensuring a fifth place finish and endless moaning about how it is a MASSIVE SUMMER.

Someone get the graph.

:drool:

Wait until we do it at Anfield against Middlesbrough instead. I will not cope.

[Magic]

Watching Juve here, you'd say they'd be nowhere near a CL final on this evidence.

[Magic]

Buffon just had a howler.

[Magic]

Roma. :drool:

[Vim]

This is shambolic. :D Europe Buffon is miles ahead of league Buffon, who seems to slightly not give a shit.

[Magic]

If they bottle the league and lose the CL...:drool:

[Vim]

I think as long as we win CL, no Juve fan really cares about the other competitions.

[ItalAussie]

I think it's pretty clear that Juve have their eyes on the big prize at this point.

Hell, as long as they automatically qualified for the CL next year, I'd forgive them for playing out the season with reserves. :D

[Vim]

The reserves were not even the problem yesterday, if anything they were the only one who gave a shit. Bonucci, Pjanic and Higuain looked as if they just had 4 carbonaras each before the game by how slow they were moving. Cuadrado was so out of form he didn't even try any dives, which for him is a really bad sign.

[Magic]

There were a lot of individual mistakes. Any more than 3 changes per game doesn't work, Maxi doubled that so fuck him.

[Raoul Duke]

The reserves were not even the problem yesterday, if anything they were the only one who gave a shit. Bonucci, Pjanic and Higuain looked as if they just had 4 carbonaras each before the game by how slow they were moving. Cuadrado was so out of form he didn't even try any dives, which for him is a really bad sign.

To be fair to Higuain, that's probably pretty likely

[CJay]

Sunderland are incredibly short of creativity going forward, but they're actually doing well here. Hopefully they can nick a draw and make the final day a bit easier for us.

[Yevrah]

You've got a shit and already relegated Boro at home, how much easier could it be?

[Kikó]

Playing Sunderland.

[CJay]

You've got a shit and already relegated Boro at home, how much easier could it be?


Only needing a draw would have been preferable to having to win. Boro will probably come and camp on the edge of their box for 90 minutes. We specialise in failing against those tactics.

Still confident we'll do it, though.

[Gray Fox]

I can't stress enough how much that we're Liverpool and how easily we can make things look difficult.

[Offshore Toon]

Having ignored my fantasy football team for most of the season I decided a couple of weeks ago to play my wildcard and see what happened. Had a good couple of weeks, but Sanchez triple captain this gameweek means I'll have made up about 150 points and will finish in respectable positions (jumped from 5th to 3rd in a 6 team league and 8th to 4th in a 10 team league).

I had Aguero triple captain for that gameweek last season too.

[niko_cee]

Sanchez has sunk me. I had it all on De Bruyne this week.

Whichever side finishes 5th is going to do so with a record points haul for that place, I believe.

[Magic]

I've made a few monumental cockups recently which has saw my hopes of anything decent come crashing down.

[Lewis]

Too easy.

[Magic]

Meant for the relationship thread lol smh

[Smiffy]

You've got a shit and already relegated Boro at home, how much easier could it be?

Too many of our so-called supporters are shitting the bed for no reason whatsoever. It's Middlesbrough, at home, following a 4-0 win against West Ham to extend our run of just one defeat since the start of March.

January/February is over, we've got a lot of our injured players back. Idiots.

We were always going to do it.

[Adamski]

0-0 draw for Liverpool and Arsenal for the win.

[Smiffy]

+2 comfortable home win for Liverpool. No one cares about Arsenal nor should we be bothered what they do against Everton.

[phonics]

If Arsenal win 2-0 and Liverpool draw 1-1, it's a 39th game lads. Get it done.

[CJay]

If Arsenal win 2-0 and Liverpool draw 1-1, it's a 39th game lads. Get it done.

Fake news!

[Smiffy]

If Arsenal win 2-0 and Liverpool draw 1-1, it's a 39th game lads. Get it done.

No it isn't. Give your head a wobble.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Liverpool have to lose 2-0 and Arsenal draw 1-1.

[phonics]

Numbers are hard. I think I have a hangover. I just submitted a piece and the first paragraph had 3 typos in it.

[Kikó]

The 39th game will be played in Abu Dhabi as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is it just me or has the fixture list this season been an absolute mess? Teams shouldn't still have games in hand with 1 week to go. There haven't been any weather postponements either.

[Kikó]

Mourinho sort of has a point with this (although his bleating is boring now).

Is it a shorter season due to the Euros? (as in game weeks available)

[niko_cee]

It's due to the Champions League basically monopolising midweek after February, making any FA Cup replays a disaster down the line as it's almost impossible to catch-up. I was surprised Arsenal played Southampton last Wednesday as I'm fairly sure it was a rule you couldn't play top division games on the same night as a Champions League tie.

Then you have the fact that there were about 3 games in each of September and November.

[Weaver]

The 39th game will be played in Abu Dhabi as well.

Best of seven series, I heard. One game in each continent.

[Smiffy]

Given our record against the top 7 this season that's a definite whitewash.

[randomlegend]

I know we've given up on the league, but that lineup :D

[Spammer]

Wednesday don't look to be up to much.

[Lewis]

I know we've given up on the league, but that lineup :D

Axel Tuanzebe though mate. He's already better than Chris Smalling.

[niko_cee]

I'm assumng this Southampton/United match is the crime against football one would anticipate it to be?

[Smiffy]

It's funny how vocal they were just a few weeks ago. Must be saving their voices for Ajax.

:harold:

[SvN]

Who's they? Because the fans at St Mary's were pretty loud from start to finish.

[Smiffy]

"the others."

I think 'The Brain' was just hurt that no one takes him seriously. :(




As is, you'll end the season in 6th, at least 5+ points away from fourth because you're not as good as the top four which incidentally will be those that already occupy the positions. Let's not continue however since you've bitten enough.


Are you saying that without having looked at the table? Liverpool have played two games more than all the teams around them and are only two points clear of Man City and three clear of Man United. And for Man United to finish sixth either Arsenal have to go on a run or Everton have to somehow pull back six points with two fewer games to play.

The most likely scenario from here is that Liverpool bottle it, as always, and finish fifth ahead of Arsenal and both Manchester clubs make the top four.


No way in hell are you hitting 4th @Smiffy (http://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/member.php?u=142), do you never learn? :D


I don't think I'm overly optimistic on it happening but I think we can get 10 points from there which may be enough. With the three big aways, i wouldn't be surprised if we only get 1 point or 0.


Perhaps that's the part I'm struggling with. You've taken nine points in 7 games against your top four rivals whilst dropping points against rubbish at Old Trafford.

Now you've got three away games against them in which to get the same amount of points plus a buttfucked Southampton who I imagine will want to right a wrong from the cup final.

Only guaranteed three points there for me is when Palace arrive having secured there safety.

It's just too late I reckon.

He probably gets more right than any other member but the bitterness of others overshadows it.

[Lewis]

It gets 'overshadowed' by the sort of wibble you were posting that prompted those replies.

[Magic]

Udders or Reading in the Prem. Jesus Christ.

[Kikó]

Fans were good tonight but the game was crap. Tuanzebe and Martial chances aside it was dreadful.

[Smiffy]

Has anyone got the end of season thread lined up for next weekend?
Yevrah It's your domain, isn't it?

[CJay]

Mourinho telling everyone yet again that he's going to play some reserves. Why can't he just do it and stop harping on? Chelsea did it the other day with no fanfare, Juventus have done it recently, as did Real Madrid a couple of weeks ago. It's not a big deal, but it's all he's talked about since the quarter finals basically.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/17/jose-mourinho-manchester-united-last-premier-league-game?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

[SvN]

It's possible he was asked.

[randomlegend]

Just seen Ronaldo's couple of goals to make him the most scoringest lad in europe forever and he really is something else.

He still looks about 25.

[randomlegend]

This is fucking unreal :D

https://streamable.com/w222q

[Lewis]

He registered the best miss of the last ten years as well just for a laugh.

[Lewis]

If we could somehow get a crap judo trophy with 'SCORINGEST LAD' on it to Ronaldo, and have him Twitter about it, we would be the biggest forum in town.

[Ian]

Looks like the Bailly roadshow was good again tonight.

[randomlegend]

Bailly is the best signing in the history of football.

[Ian]

I assume his fee was so low because his previous term were embarrassed that they had such a good player and wanted to stop drawing attention to themselves.

[niko_cee]

This is fucking unreal :D

https://streamable.com/w222q

That's the Puskas award sorted then.

[Reg]

Probably not worth a thread for Thursday games... I might watch Luton's playoff tonight as they're a mate's team. It seems Nathan Jones has done a bit of a Gus there.

[Pleb]

Everyone down in my neck end of the woods wants an Exeter-Luton Wembley final after tonight which would be a fucking miracle considering Exeter were bottom of the league near Christmas and now look at them.

[Reg]

I think teams are so even below the Championship. It sometimes just takes sensible transfers and a few good decisions.

[John Arne]

IFK v AIK was postponed just before kick off today, after match-fixing allegations.



IFK Gothenburg v AIK postponed

Big news has broken in Sweden on Thursday:*IFK Gothenburg v AIK has been postponed just hours before they were due to play each other in the Allsvenskan.

Two of the biggest sides in Sweden were due to play at IFK Gothenburg’s Gamla Ullevi at 6pm UK time tonight.
IFK v AIK is considered arguably the biggest intercity rivalry in Sweden.
The Swedish football authorities have cancelled the match due to a significant match fixing claim, from an AIK player, who was approached on Tuesday.
AIK goalkeeper approached
According to the Swedish media, one of the AIK goalkeepers was approached*this week by a suspected match fixer with the promise of money if he “under-performed” v IFK.

Rumours in Sweden suggest that the AIK goalkeeper approached was 37-year-old Kyriakos Stamatopoulos. He was also threatened.
Stamatopoulos has not played for AIK yet this season, after eight games of the Allsvenskan. But, was expected to play this evening as their starting keeper is suspended.
The AIK player*told his club, and all parties involved agreed to not play the game today. The police are investigating a story that has rocked Swedish football.


Those dodgy Asians.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39962886

Players who dive in English football will face bans from next season under new Football Association regulations.

Under the new rules, passed by the governing body at its annual general meeting on Thursday, a panel will review footage from the weekend each Monday looking for cases of simulation.

Any player unanimously found guilty of diving would be given a suspension.

Finally.

[Offshore Toon]

That system will definitely favour the top 4/5/6.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's absolute nonsense, but it sounds funny so let's give it a whirl.

[Pleb]

"Its panel will consist of one former match official, one ex-manager and one ex-player."

Dermot Gallagher, Big Roy and Joey Barton then?

[Kikó]

Who's big Roy?

[Reg]

Woooo, that's great news I reckon.

How has it been in Scottish football, John and other Scots?

[Lewis]

What happens in cases like the Fellainimania 'headbutt'? Their heads touched, but he went down like a fanny, so I would call that 'successful deception of a match official'.

[Trancemeister]

IFK v AIK was postponed just before kick off today, after match-fixing allegations.



Those dodgy Asians.

Rumour is that it's an ex AIK player that has tried to fix the match and that the player in question is D*ckson Etuhu.

[Magic]

Woooo, that's great news I reckon.

How has it been in Scottish football, John and other Scots?

The tackles are so bad, reckless and fueled with bigotry it's almost impossible to dive.

[Giggles]

Neil McDonald has followed in Big Sam's footsteps and taken over at Limerick.

[Reg]

What happens in cases like the Fellainimania 'headbutt'? Their heads touched, but he went down like a fanny, so I would call that 'successful deception of a match official'.
The headbuttee hasn't necessarily conned the ref, or changed the decision. The red card could still be correct, no matter how exaggerated the reaction. But I guess you could punish the diver as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Feigning injury is the real blight on the game, not diving.

[Giggles]

On a podcast I was listening to today it was mentioned that Christian Eriksen has covered the most distance of any player this season. That can't be right surely? Every time I see them he's standing about.

[John Arne]

I don't understand the negative reaction to the diving ban (hello, Sam!) - it's a great move, and will hopefully help towards getting rid of players rolling around like twats.

[Disco]

As if it will last more than a month or two.

[Giggles]

It'll be like the pushing at corners.

[niko_cee]

Is the in game sanction for diving still a yellow card or is that going to be bumped to generate a ban afterwards as well? Seems odd that if a ref spots you diving you get a yellow card, but if he doesn't you get a ban.

[John Arne]

As if it will last more than a month or two.

If the panel keep banning players - I don't see why it won't work. It worked on the tackle from behind.


It'll be like the pushing at corners.

With that though the decision was still left with the ref on the field - so whilst it didn't work - it's because the refs bottled it in the heat of the moment.


Is the in game sanction for diving still a yellow card or is that going to be bumped to generate a ban afterwards as well? Seems odd that if a ref spots you diving you get a yellow card, but if he doesn't you get a ban.

Good point. Perhaps you'll get a situation early on where players admit to diving immediately to get the booking on the field, rather than the ban retrospectively (if they are bright enough).

I think we will see refs giving less decisions on the pitch - and leaving it to the panel - but that will eventually phase out once the bans start happening, you'd think.

[Giggles]

The whole thing about if the ref acts then it's matter closed (not just in relation to diving) is such a load of shit rule anyways. First thing that needs to go.

[Magic]

God, what a really boring Premier League season. Yes I've said that before, but it really has been shit. Literally everything decided apart from fucking 4th place (I notice this weekend Sky have put their TV programming around this. BORING).

[Reg]

Oh my days. Blackpool with a 94th minute goal. 6-5 to them on aggregate. My mate's gonna be gutted.

[Pleb]

Exeter against Blackpool in a Playoff Final? :|

[John]

God, what a really boring Premier League season. Yes I've said that before, but it really has been shit. Literally everything decided apart from fucking 4th place (I notice this weekend Sky have put their TV programming around this. BORING).

Yeah, what a lot of shit. Imagine everything being decided with one fucking game to go.

You were whinging all of last season that the league was boring too, as well as every individual game you watched within ten minutes of it kicking off.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This one hasn't been a gripper, to be fair. The title race was done by December, Arsenal/Liverpool/United (the teams with biggest fanbases) were all crap and irrelevant, and the season was defined by endless mid-table drudgery and three pointless XIs ultimately going down. Even the jeopardy of United not making the top four will be erased by winning the Europa League (which they will do with immense ease).

Championship has been pretty good though.

[Reg]

I don't think it's been a great Prem season. The first third, maybe, was really good: the games between the big teams were all exciting and open, and there was still the unknown with Conte, Pep and Mourinho. But it definitely didn't deliver as the pre-season promised.

La Liga has gone down to the last day. Real Madrid need a point.

[Adamski]

Looks like we've signed Bruno Alves to hopefully crack some heads next year.

[Magic]

Yeah, what a lot of shit. Imagine everything being decided with one fucking game to go.

You were whinging all of last season that the league was boring too, as well as every individual game you watched within ten minutes of it kicking off.

Or about 15 games to go in your case. Though 2nd was on the cards for a bit.

[Raoul Duke]

Overall the exchange rate between shit clubs being relegated and good ones coming up has been great. Just need Burnley to do one next year.

[Adamski]

Leeds fan laughs at underachievement from basket case club :D

[Magic]

Leeds fan laughs at underachievement from basket case club :D

I'd say they're overachieving for such a new club.

[Lewis]

2016/17: Crap
2015/16: Crap
2014/15: Crap
2013/14: lol at Liverpool
2012/13: Crap
2011/12: Crap, but made vaguely interesting by City and then United blowing it
2010/11: Crap

[Magic]

Wasn't there some interesting last minute relegation battles? Also last year wasn't shit.

[Adamski]

I'd say they're overachieving for such a new club.

How does that viewpoint tie in with your original post?

[Magic]

How does that viewpoint tie in with your original post?

That viewpoint is an answer to your inane remark. Nothing to do with my original post.

[Reg]

2016/17: Crap
2015/16: Crap
2014/15: Crap
2013/14: lol at Liverpool
2012/13: Crap
2011/12: Crap, but made vaguely interesting by City and then United blowing it
2010/11: Crap
Leicester winning it means it was great, no matter what.

Also why would you watch football if every season is crap? :D

[Lewis]

Because some of it is still good.

[Disco]

Exeter against Blackpool in a Playoff Final? :|

Yeah baby. :cool:

[niko_cee]

The real football maybe a bit uninspiring, but the fantasy version is going down to the wire. Just 3 points separating the top 3. Can Harold hold off the charge of seasoned veteran Andy the Builder from Southampton (what has happened to him)? Or will Rushie (I assume he's Chris Rushton) edge them out? Do any of these people still post here? I'm focused on fending off Samadini for the real prize, the much coveted 4th Place Trophy™.

[rush]

The real football maybe a bit uninspiring, but the fantasy version is going down to the wire. Just 3 points separating the top 3. Can Harold hold off the charge of seasoned veteran Andy the Builder from Southampton (what has happened to him)? Or will Rushie (I assume he's Chris Rushton) edge them out? Do any of these people still post here? I'm focused on fending off Samadini for the real prize, the much coveted 4th Place Trophy™.

Ha, I still browse (and ever-so-occasionally, post).

I've wrapped up my mini-league, so the TTH trophy is the only thing I have to play for; I bottled it 3 years' ago, so this is my chance of redemption.

Also, you being 30 point behind means it's still doable; a differential captain choice and who knows...

[niko_cee]

Yeah, don't know whether to consolidate 4th with a safe captain pick, or roll the dice with an outlier and hope they have the weekend of their life. Strange things can happen on the last day in dead rubber games.

[Offshore Toon]

Harry Kane put an end to any big ideas I'd developed, so I'm going with Jesus as captain next week and whilst hoping Spurs get smashed 5-1.

What's the TTH league code? I never actually joined, but might as well for the last week.

EDIT: Never mind, got it.

[Waffdon]

I absolutely fucked up this last few weeks - especially last game round with all the double gameweeks and far too many Chelsea players.

Edit: Jesus, abdy got 120+ points and I'm sitting with half that. Embarrassing stuff

[Kikó]

Actually this is the one... WAFFLES :cool:

[Waffdon]

Absolute scenes Keeks. My ankle is in bits. Worth it

[Kikó]

Dat second half. Great goal Murray and that header near the end must have been a great goon.

[7om]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4523656/Sam-Allardyce-opens-agony-losing-England-job.html

:cool:

This season is yet more proof that he's one of the TOP managers in the world.

[Lewis]

You wouldn't have placed Big Sam in a 'relatively modest house'. I saw him as having a huge McMansion in the supposed posh part of Chorley.

[7om]

He wears a sovereign ring, a gold necklace and probably has a chippy three nights a week. He's exactly where he needs to be.

[Lewis]

I bet there is a picture of him behind the counter at said chippy, and I bet the owner refers to him as 'champ'.

[Waffdon]

Dat second half. Great goal Murray and that header near the end must have been a great goon.

Ninewells the morn I think. Ankle is swelling like foooook.

What a day

[Magic]

Lo l in the PO full of shed cunts

[7om]

Please, do go on.

[Samadini]

http://i.imgur.com/Ku0cvYe.jpg

I might be late to the party here, but Stones? :lol: He's going to stink up the England team for years isn't he?

There's a very good chance that image is massive, but I dunno how to change it on my phone.

[Shindig]

Is Jones still alive?

[Kikó]

Ninewells the morn I think. Ankle is swelling like foooook.
What a day

UB40 today as well. What a day for Dundee.

[Ian]

Traditional end-of-season Partick Thistle home game with my mate tomorrow. Due to be raining as well, evidently. It's gonna be exciting.

[Giggles]

Sir Andy Mahowry, do you follow any Polish ball? Shane Long has went and broken his foot and apparently Cillian Sheridan has been monstering it for the league leaders this season since he signed. Is the standard half decent?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I do not.

[Adamski]

Fucking hell, Sheridan is a blast from the past.

[Giggles]

Fucking hell, Sheridan is a blast from the past.

For me too. Apparently he had been in Greece or Cyprus. Even if the Polish league isn't the best he surely warranted a place ahead of Kevin Doyle at this stage. O'Neill is such a stubborn cunt though.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

APOEL and Omonoia, so Cypriot.

The Polish league is a lot better.