[FOOTIE] Pre-Season Football (Sponsored by THE UNMISSABLE TOUR)

[Lewis]

https://s9.postimg.org/8s4sfbk33/A461_CF214_E6448_A8869_E64_B457772_C94.jpg

That is five games in eleven days in America, one in Norway four days later, one in Dublin, and then the European Super Cup. Sacking 'LvG' suddenly makes proper sense. Who are your team earning money against this summer, and who will win the Confederations Cup (which we might as well include in this)?

[Pleb]

Other than local shite we (Torquay) got Bristol City and the Argyle at home which makes it even more lol for us in the Vanarama Mickey Mouse League.

Looking at the Confederation Cup, I can only see a Mexico-Germany final if I'm honest. Are Man Utd in the Champions Cup Lewis?

[Lewis]

Ironically, I missed that piece of information.

[Giggles]

Which one is here?

EDIT: Samp. Going to get tickets for that one.

[wullie]

We've got a rip-roaring schedule of all away games against Sutton, MK Dons, Barnsley, Mickleover, Leamington and then an odd tournament hosted by Nuneaton that they've somehow got teams from Liverpool, Rangers and PSV to play in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Our only confirmed games are against Arsenal in Beijing (what could possibly go wrong?), Bayern Munich and Inter in Singapore.

Probably our final ever fixture against Inter Milan.

[Reg]

We have a home friendly against Atletico Madrid. :)

[niko_cee]

I'm going to Legoland the weekend that one is on.

:face:

[Reg]

Legoland is good as well. High five!

The first home game of the real season is where it's at anyway. And (if on different days) the first one against a big club will be special too.

[niko_cee]

I'm hoping they're either away for the first game or on Monday Night Football otherwise I'll miss that too I think.

If I can get a ticket that is, which I guess is going to be trickier now.

[John Arne]

Barclays Premier League Asia HSBC Trophy 2017

https://gyazo.com/768339fce03008641808236d59413c9b.png

[Kikó]

I'm hoping I am in Dublin for work when we play Sampdoria.

[Magic]

IIRC we're releasing our pre-season plans towards the end of this week, despite having no manager. Nice.

[Giggles]

I'm hoping I am in Dublin for work when we play Sampdoria.

When would those go on sale?

[Kikó]

I think they have been giggles. Pretty sure the secondary market is already demanding ridiculous prices.

[Giggles]

I think they have been giggles. Pretty sure the secondary market is already demanding ridiculous prices.

Good luck to that so. Wouldn't have minded seeing Utd.


EDIT: Still on Ticketmaster. Behind the goals lower tier, or up in the clouds for east or west stands. €60.

[Magic]

Giggles/Kiko meet. :drool:

[Kikó]

Smugfest.

[Giggles]

Giggles/Kiko meet. :drool:

I just bought behind the goals but, no.

[Jimmy Floyd]

United v Sampdoria in Dublin is a gloriously 90s idea.

Ireland seems to be entirely populated by boozy men starved of top level football though so I suppose it makes sense.

[Kikó]

United v Sampdoria in Dublin is a gloriously 90s idea.

Ireland seems to be entirely populated by boozy men starved of top level football though so I suppose it makes sense.

We're also playing Valerenga in Oslo. It's great.

[phonics]

We're doing the customary Asian tour and seeing as we won't get to play our annual champions league match this year. They've kindly decided to smash us 7-0 in a pre-season friendly instead.

Sevilla/Benfica for the Emirates Cup this year which is a bit disappointing.

[Kikó]

I just bought behind the goals but, no.

Which row?

[Giggles]

United v Sampdoria in Dublin is a gloriously 90s idea.

Ireland seems to be entirely populated by boozy men starved of top level football though so I suppose it makes sense.

Beats the annual friendly vs Oman.

[Giggles]

Which row?

68.

[Baz]

I just bought behind the goals but, no.:lol:

[Reg]

General football news thread? This'll do.

The most expensive Brighton tickets next season will cost £60. :| http://wearebrighton.com/blog/2017/07/cheapest-albion-match-ticket-to-cost-45/

[Giggles]

Ching ching. They'll surely get a pile of hangers-on now that have never been through the gates before though. Great area for it.

[Shindig]

Seems real steep but I guess they can scale it back if they're not getting the numbers in for sellouts. Maybe there's an 'only here once' mentality that comes with promotion. The Amex isn't that big, is it? Looks cosy whenever I've seen it on TV.

[Danny]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/08/abdelhak-nouri-ajax-collapses-during-friendly

Ajax’s pre-season friendly against Werder Bremen was abandoned after Abdelhak Nouri required emergency treatment from paramedics on the field. Nouri was eventually airlifted to hospital in what Ajax described as a “stable” condition.

[niko_cee]

It was routinely £40 a ticket to watch Championship filth in the west lower (probably the priciest tickets in the ground) so I can see the case for £60 in the premier league. And, as has been said, there are a shit load of people in Brighton and a lot of them are going to want to go next season.

[Kikó]

Funny thing is, away fans are capped at £30 which is pretty reasonable. I paid €26 for the super cup ffs.

[Reg]

Seems real steep but I guess they can scale it back if they're not getting the numbers in for sellouts. Maybe there's an 'only here once' mentality that comes with promotion. The Amex isn't that big, is it? Looks cosy whenever I've seen it on TV.
30 odd thousand. Cosy by Prem standards.

[John Arne]

Tottenham are charging up to £90 for a friendly against Juventus :D

Edit: the company running the friendly, not Tottenham (according to Tottenham).

[ScousePig]

We've got Hibs at their place this afternoon. The last two occasions we've been up there's been trouble. Is it that kind of place generally?

[Waffdon]

Hibs fans love a bit of bother. And its leith, so aye.

[Foe]

We've got Hibs at their place this afternoon. The last two occasions we've been up there's been trouble. Is it that kind of place generally?

Edinburgh is a great city but the Hearts/Hibs fans seem a bit shit. Mind they involved in that fracas at the cup final with Rangers not so long ago.

[Shindig]

I wish one or both of them would just move to Murrayfield. I've not scene Easter Road but Tynecastle just has the appearance of a knackered relic.

[phonics]

Someone has scrapped /r/soccer for each team and the most common words associated with them. It's quite funny.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DEW2LnzWAAAY87O.jpg:large

[bruhnaldo]

Tottenham are charging up to £90 for a friendly against Juventus :D

Edit: the company running the friendly, not Tottenham (according to Tottenham).

Spurs play PSG in Orlando in a couple weeks and tickets range from $50 - $100 lol

[Giggles]

Not sure where I read it but I seen Zuckerberg is looking to buy them is he?

[Amigo]

£120 to see a Man City - West Ham friendly in Reykjavík (currently being advertised as a match 'between two of the world’s greatest football teams').

Alright.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I keep hearing local radio ads for the Emirates Cup targeted at children on the school run. Things must be getting uncomfortable over at the Marble Halls.

'Arsenal! Benfica! RB Leipzig! Sevilla!' cries the small girl in the ad.

[Giggles]

£120 to see a Man City - West Ham friendly in Reykjavík (currently being advertised as a match 'between two of the world’s greatest football teams').

Alright.

Isn't a loaf of bread about £30 there though? Seems reasonable enough then.

[Adamski]

Someone has scrapped /r/soccer for each team and the most common words associated with them. It's quite funny.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DEW2LnzWAAAY87O.jpg:large

These also work if you align posters on here with the teams they support.

[phonics]

You can't say that about Reg just because he likes tennis.

[Reg]

I am proper 'automatic' and 'glad' though.

[Lewis]

884314207667318788

The wisdom of the crowd.

[Spoonsky]

Is that Lewis not reading the thread?

I might try and get scalpers' tickets to the United game here, not sure how much they'll cost.

[phonics]

884314207667318788

The wisdom of the crowd.

Fantastic content.

[Lewis]

All of your image posts just blur into one.

[Weaver]

Sky are showing/hosting the International Star Six tournament over the next few days - it's basically an international version of The Masters with loads of ex-players and legends. Portugal are the favourites for the tournament, games are twenty minute halves and it's at the o2 Arena.

Not posting the whole squads but the captains include Gerrard, Puyol, Pires, Del Piero and Rivaldo, with Roberto Carlos, Ferdinand, Deco, Ballack all booked.

The Nigeria squad will have Jimmy Floyd throwing a sickie, no doubt.

[phonics]

My mate went to 'The Masters' and said it was the most fun he'd had at football in years.

[John Arne]

Sydney FC v Arsenal if you're bored... http://buffstream.com/watch/soccer.php

[phonics]

Mertesacker scored a bicycle kick so it sounds like top level stuff.

[Adamski]

Mertesacker scored a bicycle kick so it sounds like top level stuff.

I thought he was away?

[phonics]

Nah retiring next year to take over the academy.

[Giggles]

Poor fucker.

http://www.the42.ie/abdelhak-nouri-ajax-3494031-Jul2017/

[randomlegend]

He was probably Muslim mate, we can all rest a little easier in our beds tonight now.

[Giggles]

He was probably Muslim mate, we can all rest a little easier in our beds tonight now.

Yeah keep it in the right thread. This fucking place sometimes...

I'm sure I can expect 'HAHAHA lock up the Muslims!!!1!!!1' as every reply to every post for the foreseeable. Should be fun.



.

[Danny]

What?

[randomlegend]

Rooney's just scored an absolute banger for Everton.

https://streamable.com/n9h4r

Atrocious quality unfortunately.

[John Arne]

Watching Wigan-Liverpool... Mark Lawrenson is such an insufferable twat. Every other comment is either some shit attempt at humour or some weird snarky dig at his co-commentator.

[niko_cee]

Shit attempts at humour and snarky comments are what life is all about.

[ScousePig]

We're 3-0 down against St Johnstone after 25 minutes, with one of our strongest looking sides.

[Magic]

We're 3-0 down against St Johnstone after 25 minutes, with one of our strongest looking sides.

Fucking told you.

[Baz]

Anyone watching the Star Sixes on Sky Sports? The lineups are surprisingly awesome. Nigeria have Yakubu, Jay Jay Okocha, CM legend Julius Aghahowa, Daniel Amokachi and Taribo West! They're currently getting spanked by Luis Garcia, Mendieta, Morientes, and Puyol etc.

[randomlegend]

I really like our kit. It's PROPER red.

[ScousePig]

https://www.safc.com

Ours is supposed to be some sort of retro thing, and it kind of looks okay from the front (in a way).

[Spoonsky]

I'm hoping to get a scalper ticket to see United in Utah tonight. It feels a little dirty seeing them play before Liverpool but what can you do.

[niko_cee]

I don't know if it's pre-season, or transfer thread material, but this is a good lol:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40637077

Signed off in style.


"I think the signing of Rooney gels it all together for Everton. There is no way Wayne Rooney would go back to Everton if he didn't think they were going to win things, that is for sure."

[John]

The doing he took off Puyol must have got to him.

[Reg]

Knockaert injured in first ten minutes of our first pre-season game. D'oh! Not much news on how bad yet.

[Spoonsky]

It's been so hot in Salt Lake City the whole summer but tonight it's about to start raining. :drool:

[Kikó]

I don't think Phil has ever said anything that isn't wrong or embarrassing.

[John Arne]

Liverpool's main training was cancelled yesterday due to the weather. Who would have thought that monsoon season in SE Asia would be wet.

Hope the tour was worth the extra 4 fans the club picked up from Hong Kong.

[Lewis]

José Mourinho defended Antonio Valencia after he was sent off in Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake, with the manager saying he disagreed with the decision of referee, Allen Chapman, to show the right-back a straight red on 68 minutes for going through the back of Sebastian Saucedo.

Chapman acted after offering Mourinho the chance to replace Valencia rather than he be dismissed. Yet afterwards Mourinho said: “I think the delay was because the referee asked me to change the player and I didn’t because I don’t agree with the card because Saucedo was really aggressive in second half. That’s what happens. Some other actions were a bit dangerous.

I wonder what low-level spite he has up his sleeve for this year.

[Spoonsky]

A couple of my friends played with that Saucedo in youth teams.

It was a decent game anyways before we subbed off literally our entire team after 30 minutes. Surreal to see Pogba Lukaku etc on our little field.

[John Arne]

Vietnam U23 currently playing East Timor U23.... I think it's fair to say that the conditions aren't great.

http://imgur.com/mcSe84T.jpeg

[Lewis]

Mourinho has had another good day, making a serious point about the transfer market by suggesting that Kyle Walker is only worth twenty-five million.

[Weaver]

The Emirates Cup has been added to the schedule on Quest, which is a freeview channel as far as I know. Arsenal, Benfica, Sevilla and RB Leipzig on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th.

Also, the Audi Cup is going to be on ITV4 on 1st and 2nd of August, and that's Liverpool, Napoli, Atletico and Bayern Munich.

[Kikó]

Good info. Cheers.

[Lewis]

This (https://twitter.com/CarefreeDaily/status/888034272522772482) is wonderful.

[John]

It's a great video, but it's balanced out by 'I'M SCREAMINGGGG'. Average tweet.

[Lewis]

You filter that crap out eventually, leaving you with just the golden video.

[randomlegend]

2-0 vs City with excellent goals from Lukaku and Rashford. Ederson looks like a clown.

We're going to win the league :drool:

[John Arne]

Jamie Jackson in The Guardian tried to blame the second goal on Ederson :D Already sharpening the knives.

[randomlegend]

Jamie Jackson in The Guardian tried to blame the second goal on Ederson :D Already sharpening the knives.

To be honest I'm not even sure the first goal is Ederson's 'fault'. It's pretty obvious 'Pep' is trying to make every keeper he buys play like Manuel Neuer and then they look like cunts when it doesn't work.

[John Arne]

AC Milan are ripping Bayern a new one. 40th minute, 3-0.

http://buffstream.com/watch/soccer-2.php

[John]

Having been beaten by fucking St Johnstone recently we could be doing with a nice morale boosting win against some local children or a team of dogs this afternoon. We're playing Marseille though, so expect to hear about a game being abandoned under the mercy rule.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea have looked ridiculously more sharper than Arsenal. That Boga geezer loos pretty good.

Fabregas is still a don.

[Giggles]

Is that the community shield?

[John]

Liverpool can now say they've won a Premier League Trophy. :harold:

[GS]

Presumably the core fan base are adhering fully to the graph at the minute. One suspects that proclamations of impending triumph will peak when we spend a nine figure sum on a midfielder that most of them hadn't heard of before June.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

888770386028048384

:harold:

[GS]

:face:

[Spikey M]

In fairness, all the Asian Griefers will have paid decent money to watch that. They have to at least look like it means something.

[Lewis]

You should probably pretend to care, if only for the happy-clappy Asians in attendance. The Arsenal one was just lol because Petr Cech has actually won stuff.

EDIT: Idiotmouse mate.

[GS]

The crowd were celebrating like they'd just won the European Cup. It's just odd.

[Spikey M]

"Champions of Asia, you'll never sing that"

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/831785/Chelsea-Kenedy-Instagram-China-Fans-Arsenal-Asia-Trophy

Kenedy posted two videos on Instagram this week while on tour with the Chelsea squad in China which have caused a stir.

The first was captioned 'fucking China' while the second clip showed a sleeping security guard with the caption 'wake up China you idiot'.

lol

[Giggles]

That's his $700,000 a week payday up shit creek then.

[ScousePig]

I went to watch us against Bradford yesterday. If we keep Lens and Khazri they could be very good in the championship, but it's a big if.

[Weaver]

888777791671595008

Poor guy.

[Offshore Toon]

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/831785/Chelsea-Kenedy-Instagram-China-Fans-Arsenal-Asia-Trophy

Kenedy posted two videos on Instagram this week while on tour with the Chelsea squad in China which have caused a stir.

The first was captioned 'fucking China' while the second clip showed a sleeping security guard with the caption 'wake up China you idiot'.

lol
Got nothing but respect for the man.

[John]

Before the Manchester United v Real Madrid friendly tonight the teams were led out by a man dressed as Ronald McDonald. :D

[Lewis]

I wonder whether there is - or whether clubs think there is - any advantage to winning these sort of matches. Surely if there are a bunch of non-affiliated Americans watching this between cheeseburger runs onto the concourse then the winning team is liable to pick up more supporters (by which I mean interested units to push sponsored things on)? Or will everyone who cares about this already be in the ground?

[Danny]

Probably the worst shootout I have ever seen

[Lewis]

Does that make United lineal champions of Europe?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Martial misses! Man Utd 0-0 Real Madrid

Martial blasts his first kick high over the bar

Kovacic misses! Man Utd 0-0 Real Madrid

A weak kick straight at De Gea

McTominay misses! Man Utd 0-0 Real Madrid

A low penalty comfortably saved to the right.

Oscar misses! Man Utd 0-0 Real Madrid

High to De Gea’s left, but the United keeper parries clear.

Mkhitariyan scores Man Utd 1-0 Real Madrid

Finally, low to the keeper’s right to open the scoring.

Quezada scores Man Utd 1-1 Real Madrid

De Gea got a hand to it, but that’s Madrid on the board.

Lindelof misses! Man Utd 1-1 Real Madrid

Terrible penalty trundled up middle off keeper’s legs! This is ridiculous

Hernandez misses! Man Utd 1-1 Real Madrid

Well wide of the post. Some kind of metaphor is unfolding here.

Blind scores! Man Utd 2-1 Real Madrid

Firm penalty made to look world class by the dross that surrounded it

Casemiro misses Man Utd 2-1 Real Madrid

Fittingly, Casemiro crashes the final penalty of a comically awful shootout off the bar, and we can all go home.

Sounds quality.

[randomlegend]

https://streamable.com/7095r

Truly special.

[randomlegend]

It's amazing how generally terrible the standard of penalties (and corners and free-kicks as well actually) is amongst professional players.

I remember watching an ACN shootout a few years where about 15 players in a row just banged it in the top corner, and yet the 'best players in the world' often serve up shit like the above.

[John]

Zambia. :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://streamable.com/7095r

Truly special.
Greatest shootout ever.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's amazing how generally terrible the standard of penalties (and corners and free-kicks as well actually) is amongst professional players.

I remember watching an ACN shootout a few years where about 15 players in a row just banged it in the top corner, and yet the 'best players in the world' often serve up shit like the above.

ACN shootouts look great because the goalkeepers are terrible. Penalty shootouts are all about goalkeepers.

You're right on set pieces though. Probably the one area of football that has gone definitively backwards in the last 15 years, except under managers like Pulis who seek to exploit them. I think the reason is that you can't really measure quality of set piece taking and you can't plot it using sports science.

[Dave.]

That shootout brings back fond memories of the Sunderland vs. Manchester United League Cup semi-final. The penalties were similarly atrocious and we won by the same score.:cool:

[Amigo]

I've been watching a bit of the women's Euros and the refereeing in the tournament is just hilarious awful. You have to wonder why UEFA don't just use male referees. It almost seems unfair to the teams to be subjected to these clowns.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

889242481312890885

A bit good by Martial.

[Lewis]

That was all Fellainimania.

[Offshore Toon]

That footwork is ridiculous. Martial did well afterwards too.

[randomlegend]

The United - Barcelona game has been really good so far.

Pogba is looking :drool:

[randomlegend]

There's no chance we are getting away with it with their front 3 for the full 90 minutes. :D

[Lewis]

He's going to have an immense season.

[randomlegend]

Blind has been absolutely atrocious this game.

He's probably been Barca's most accurate passer.

[Lewis]

890338489870450688

:lol:

[Lewis]

Fellainimania is in its element here.

[randomlegend]

Ref is a right gimp.

[Adamski]

https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/scottish-news/1348639/celtic-sunderland-tommy-robinson-fight-brawl/

Go on Scouse Pig :cool:

[John]

Quest TV, channel 144 on Sky, are showing the Emirates Cup. Two each between Arsenal and Benfica at the moment.

[ScousePig]

Yeah, I saw it earlier on Twitter. Celtic fan looked in a bad way. What is Tommy Robinson doing in Sunderland wearing a Rangers shirt, when Celtic are here for a game? There were 8,000+ Celtic fans, and in far less important news, they just put five past us.

[John]

He said something on Twitter about Celtic fans supporting Palestine without actually knowing anything and got a load of shit for it so he decided to bowl in and noise them up. Seems to have managed it.

[ScousePig]

If you can access the bottom video in that link or find it on Twitter, he filmed the aftermath himself, and was extremely smug.

Ibrox Loyal on Twitter has it.

[John]

In lieu of half time analysis they're filling the whole of half time with an advert for varnish. They've had a man just talking you through the process of varnishing a table for the last five minutes. How great.

[Lewis]

The Celtic fans calling him a wanker and saying they support 'other' oppressed minorities seem like a special bunch.

[niko_cee]

Get the graph.

:drool:

There's a rape going on in Berlin.

Big Dom Solanke is the new Diego Costa.

[John Arne]

The ball from Coutinho to Salah was fucking awesome ...over the top, through two defenders... inch perfect. #top4

https://gyazo.com/845fa660caa630c1a746aba6a7ac0b92.gif

[Adamski]

#top4 :D

Fucking hell.

[Gray Fox]

Classic pre-season goal that.

Not a chance West Brom will play that high of a line in the league.

[Shindig]

First friendly defeat to Mainz. I know you shouldn't read into these but I'm not confident of survival this year.

[Offshore Toon]

First friendly defeat to Mainz. I know you shouldn't read into these but I'm not confident of survival this year.
It means nothing. Look at the friendlies before our 5th place season in 2011-12 (http://www.nufc.com/html/2011-12html/fixtures.html). We made 9 subs today. Its just a run out.

[niko_cee]

First friendly defeat to Mainz. I know you shouldn't read into these but I'm not confident of survival this year.

Yeah, beware Mainz in pre-season.

[Samadini]

Watching Aarons look really promising every pre season is starting to get a bit sad. At least the injuries he has suffered don't seem to have finished him, as some were suggesting might happen.

[Offshore Toon]

Aye, there's nothing worth getting excited about yet as far as Aarons is concerned. Lejeune appears to have an insane first touch, though.

[Samadini]

Hopefully he'll play alongside Clark and Lascelles can captain the side from the bench. Clark was the only defender last season that looked premier league quality, he was class. Think that was one of those transfers that worked for everyone, Villa fans seemed happy to see him go, so he was obviously doing crap there and the move was something he needed, as he's one of the best players at Newcastle now.

[Magic]

The sparkled Sellick fan on the mighty Union Jack pillow. :D

[Weaver]

Watching Aarons look really promising every pre season is starting to get a bit sad. At least the injuries he has suffered don't seem to have finished him, as some were suggesting might happen.

That chip against Schalke the other year :drool:

I don't really know where NUFC are 'at' at the moment - our business seems to have been pretty low key, but the core of our squad is probably enough to stay up anyway.

Would like for us to get rid of a few (Saivet, Rivieire etc are still hanging about), clear up the goalkeeping situation and then bring in a new striker and another winger.

[Offshore Toon]

I didn't watch us much last season, so can't really comment. That bloke we signed yesterday from Dortmund was getting a lot of praise on Reddit from Dortmund and Osasuna fans, so it could be an inspired signing.

[Samadini]

That chip against Schalke the other year :drool:

I don't really know where NUFC are 'at' at the moment - our business seems to have been pretty low key, but the core of our squad is probably enough to stay up anyway.

Would like for us to get rid of a few (Saivet, Rivieire etc are still hanging about), clear up the goalkeeping situation and then bring in a new striker and another winger.

Not sure I'm as confident as you are on that front, I think it will be a struggle, the 11 looks very underwhelming to me, it's the fact that they're motivated (when was the last time you could say that about a Newcastle squad) and there's a good manager that gives me hope for the season.

[Shindig]

I see numbers coming in but maybe not much recognised quality. Team spirit's going to be key.

[Offshore Toon]

I think Lejeune and Moreno could turn out to be great signings. Manquillo is hugely underwhelming, but should only be backup so could be Rafa's Perchinho. Then there's Atsu who does have glimpses of quality but I doubt he'll find any real consistency. It's believed that Rafa wants four more players, but he spoke at a Q&A on Thursday about how difficult it's been. Apparently he had dinner with Tammy Abraham, who told Rafa he'd sign for Newcastle, only to then sign for Swansea. He said they also had three other players lined up in May who were ready to sign, but then other clubs came sniffing.

[Shindig]

Well, Ashley's out of court now so maybe he can stop being such a tight git. Maybe he still feels wary after the cash he gave McClaren.

[randomlegend]

https://streamable.com/3io27

I've only just seen this. Absolutely incredible :D

[Offshore Toon]

Well, Ashley's out of court now so maybe he can stop being such a tight git. Maybe he still feels wary after the cash he gave McClaren.
Reports suggest Ashley is backing Rafa and there's up to about £75m-£100m, but given how poor the starting 11 is it makes sense to try and spread that throughout the line up.

[Shindig]

Aye, I can see that. We've had a small squad for years. Even if we do yo-yo, those extra bodies would make a return to the Championship easier on some players.

[Offshore Toon]

If you think back to some of the results we had under Rafa when we went down then I think it makes sense to trust him and have faith. We've had so many 'talented' squads where the players didn't care and it didn't work.

Forgot to mention Murphy earlier. That could be a great signing too. Nice to have players who support the club.

[John Arne]

#top4 :D

Fucking hell.

It was a dig at the "this is our year brigade". Thanks for getting involved though.

[Danny]

https://streamable.com/3io27

I've only just seen this. Absolutely incredible :D

I think the lack of comms makes it. You can hear his jaw dropping as it floats in.

[niko_cee]

Oh Geoffrey!

[Magic]

I hate how a defeat in a friendly suddenly means DISASTER SEASON AHOY. Clowns.

[Foe]

Why is the tv channel Quest (144) showing the emirates cup?

[Kikó]

They bought the rights.

[randomlegend]

Have anyone got a stream for the United game?

[Spikey M]

Whoever bought the rights.

[randomlegend]

Fanks mate.

[Magic]

Waffdon :cool:

[randomlegend]

Have anyone got a stream for the United game?

http://fifaworldcup18.xyz/utd

Found a good one, if anyone is looking.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://streamable.com/lcy1k

Fellainimania going out in style.

[Giggles]

I'll feel cheated if he's not there Wednesday night.

[Magic]

What the hell is this Wagner shit all about? I get you can pay him to do some shitty video obviously to wind people up, but he was actually at Dens Park today for some half-time draw? WTF!

[Giggles]

Who?

[Waffdon]

What the hell is this Wagner shit all about? I get you can pay him to do some shitty video obviously to wind people up, but he was actually at Dens Park today for some half-time draw? WTF!

Dundee fans are fucking aids

[Weaver]

Who?

Wagner from X Factor - I thought Magic meant David Wagner at first.

https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/video-wagner-performs-half-time-draw-dundee-derby/

[Weaver]

Liverpool are playing Bayern on ITV4 at the minute - 1-0 with Mane scoring, 13 minutes gone.

[John Arne]

2-0. Get the graph....

[John Arne]

The more I see Renato Sanches, the more I think that he just isn't that good. He was disappointing for Bayern last season, and I don't remember him being particularly spectacular at the Euro's (despite the win). Never saw him play in Portugal.

[Reg]

I thought he looked excellent in the Euros but other than that I've only seen him off the bench I think.

[Mike]

Our season this year then. :groove:

[John Arne]

3-0, Gruijic and Kent :drool:

[John Arne]

Wait...? Was it disallowed?

EDIT: Yup, Lallana offside.

[Serj]

Aaaand Sturridge is injured again. For fuck's sake.

[John Arne]

Injuring himself whilst scoring a nice chip. It's the Sturridge way.

https://gyazo.com/427992a1eb553a62f4132b6065b9d70e.gif

[Giggles]

Season over. Just need to see who gets second now.

[GS]

Sturridge's entire career summed up in about three seconds. It was ever thus.

[Kikó]

The more I see Renato Sanches, the more I think that he just isn't that good. He was disappointing for Bayern last season, and I don't remember him being particularly spectacular at the Euro's (despite the win). Never saw him play in Portugal.

He was lovely at Benfica. Industry and a good passing game with the ability to hit the ball. He seems to have moved too soon and could have done with another season or two learning in a lesser league.

[niko_cee]

He looks like a lazy bastard going off that game tonight, but most of the Bayern mob looked fairly wank so who knows what they were up to.

I don't think there's a better style of football than Liverpool's manic press/transition game for pre-season (over)excitement.

[niko_cee]

Jesus, the state of Griezmann's hair. Hardly a do that could launch a thousand noodle boxes.

Firmino is such a don. Shame they let an England international take a pen. Always doomed to fail.

[Spoonsky]

How is Daniel Sturridge still a Liverpool player?

[Shindig]

I can't name another Liverpool striker. I'm so out of the loop.

[bruhnaldo]

Orlando City's The Dom Dwyer scored against Real Madrid :drool:

We're clearly going to win the world cup (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/03/30/journalist-asked-bastian-schweinsteiger-world-cup-question-sorry/) :drool:

[John Arne]

Jesus, the state of Griezmann's hair. Hardly a do that could launch a thousand noodle boxes.


I thought the exact same thing :) He genuinely looked like a woman.

[John]

Male androgyny is big in Asia so he'll be worth double the money now.

[John Arne]

Speaking of Women, I'm watching the Denmark-Austria, and the commentator must think that the viewers are stupid. First she nearly climaxed and proclaimed that a keeper had made a great save, when in fact she had just saved a long shot, and now a Dane just headed wide, to which she commented that she had made "great contact with the ball" (having just watched the replay below)...

https://gyazo.com/6ae87b5a912654b9676a93870c5c0aec.gif

the actual football has been surprisingly good - especially from the Danes.

[bruhnaldo]

I go to see Orlando City's women's team (Orlando Pride) pretty regularly and it's genuinely not the worst thing.

Then again we have Marta and Alex Morgan so maybe it's that.

[Giggles]

It's quite fashionable at the moment.

[Pen]

I still have no time for it, but maybe I'll do at some point if it's not the complete shitshow it was when I last saw it.

[Shindig]

I enjoy it. There's definitely a gulf in class. Not just between teams but individuals and I think that's why it doesn't quite work as well as it should. It's not long ago, these lasses were classed as amateurs and they're still scrapping for professional status, sometimes.

[mo]

I think the goalkeepers are letting down the entire profession tbh. They are all horrendous, I just can't enjoy watching them.

[John]

The goalkeeping is generally worse because even the best goalkeepers are small. Hope Solo is probably the best ever and she's only about five foot eight. Really they should just play with slightly smaller goals, but just imagining the shitstorm that would create has given me a sore head.

[Reg]

Sort of the same thing as double faults being more common in women's tennis, due to them being smaller and the height of the net remaining the same. The women's goalie thing is worse/more amusing though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Women's cricket is played with smaller boundaries and no one (other than the real career knuckle draggers) seems to mind. I don't see why you couldn't make the goal a bit smaller, or even use a hockey-style rounded goal.

[Giggles]

Maybe if it started that way, but the snowflakes would implode if it was changed now.

[niko_cee]

The goalkeeping is generally worse because even the best goalkeepers are small. Hope Solo is probably the best ever and she's only about five foot eight. Really they should just play with slightly smaller goals, but just imagining the shitstorm that would create has given me a sore head.

Really men should play with bigger goals, if we're doing that.

[Kikó]

Bigger footballs.

[John]

Really men should play with bigger goals, if we're doing that.

What's the logic there?

[Kikó]

https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/wayne-rooney.97913/page-14

Poor Wazza.

[niko_cee]

What's the logic there?

Men were smaller when the goals were first conceived. More like the size of modern women.

[Giggles]

Were they that much smaller in the late 19th century?

[niko_cee]

Were they that much smaller in the late 19th century?

Yes, apparently.

http://www.todayifoundout.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/historical-median-male-height.png

Lol France

Oh, and a massive map:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/PSM_V52_D179_Average_stature_of_males_of_the_briti sh_isles.png

[Lewis]

lol at Pepe and his mates turning America into Manletville.

[Giggles]

Interesting.

[phonics]

My Dad has been banging on about this for years. Even Bob Wilson got an earful about it at some charity dinner he went to. Wilson seemed to largely nod and ignore him apparently. I think it's just because Chris Brunt and Jason Koumas hit the post alot.

Still don't think this would have gone in mind.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jQG73v7X0U

[Amigo]

£120 to see a Man City - West Ham friendly in Reykjavík (currently being advertised as a match 'between two of the world’s greatest football teams').

Alright.
Their aim was to break the attendance record for a football match in Iceland (it stands at 20,000).

They managed to bring in 6,200. Half of those tickets were freebies as well.

Fucking lol.

[Reg]

We had Atletico at the Amex today. Good second half. Griezmann was kinda crap until having a hand in their winner. Whoever the match sponsors were awarded Ryan (our new keeper) man of the match, which must've been their form of cruel mockery after a real howler to concede the first goal. He was decent other than that, but it wasn't ideal 6 days before Man City...

I quite like friendlies. Weather's good and it's a chance to try out different seats.

Big photo:
http://i.imgur.com/0f33loj.jpg

[Kikó]

https://i.imgur.com/BENCXIz_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=high

https://i.imgur.com/9wSOTDE_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=high

Walked past CSKA Sofia's stadium and it's grim.

[Giggles]

Who's Swedish here again? @Mazuurk is it?

What are Hammarby and Dalkurd like?

http://www.theatlanticcup.com


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