[FOOTBALL] Weekend Football Thread - 18th/19th/20th/21st August

[Weaver]

Friday
Burton Albion 0 Birmingham 1 at HT

Saturday
Swansea vs Man United - Sky Sports, 12:30
Bournemouth vs Watford
Burnley vs West Brom
Leicester vs Brighton
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace
Southampton vs West Ham
Stoke vs Arsenal - BT Sport, 17:30

Sheffield United vs Barnsley - 12:15
Aston Villa vs Norwich
Bolton vs Derby
Bristol City vs Millwall
Fulham vs Sheffield Wednesday
Ipswich vs Brentford
Nottingham Forest vs Boro
Preston vs Reading
QPR vs Hull
Wolves vs Cardiff
Sunderland vs Leeds - Sky Sports, 17:30

Sunday
Huddersfield Town vs Newcastle - Sky Sports, 13:30
Spurs vs Chelsea - Sky Sports, 16:00

Monday
Man City vs Everton - Sky Sports, 20:00

[Offshore Toon]

Merino is set to don the shit out of the prem thanks to Gypo Jo. :drool:

[Ian]

God help me, I'm actually going into the game tomorrow thinking we should win and feeling something like confidence about it. No good can come of this.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We won't lose to Spurs, even though we should. It's still Spurs.

[bruhnaldo]

Apparently Orlando City will be on Sky Sports at 12:30am BST Sunday (Saturday here) :)

[John]

Orlando are on semi regularly here. Sky have bought all manner of football rights for games they can show at three in the morning.

[bruhnaldo]

I've noticed that. We have a UK based supporters club (I honestly think it's like 10 folks at most) and they mention it from time to time.

If you guys ever want a side team to watch over the summer by all means join us :)

http://weareorlandocityuk.com/

[Jimmy Floyd]

Orlando are on semi regularly here. Sky have bought all manner of football rights for games they can show at three in the morning.

Reckon that must be gambling ad money for all the addicts.

[John]

I watched one of them and all the adverts were for gambling and cars so you're probably on to something.

[Offshore Toon]

Gambling adverts have definitely gone up a few notches this season, which is a proper middle finger to Joey Barton.

[Ian]

Oh good, Pardew and Henry on sofa duty.

And talking about the srs bznss statistic of United's Premier League record on the 19th of August.

[Ian]

That's the first time I've seen those new line-up photo poses. What a load of absolute shit.

[Waffdon]

Tammy Abraham to run riot. oh eh defo eh.

[randomlegend]

That would have gone in last season.

[Mazuuurk]

Why are Swansea fans booing Rashford in particular...?

[randomlegend]

Apparently he dived against them last season.

[Shindig]

South Shield's crest looks like a union banner. Heroic.

[Ian]

Rashford had about four defenders on him there and nobody offering him the ball out to take the lot of them out of the game.

That would've been a harsh yellow for Paulp.

[Reg]

That turn from Rashford was class.

Why are United playing so narrow, especially Rashford? There's more space out wide and they could actually outnumber Swansea there. Rashford keeps running into two or three bodies in the middle.

[Ian]

Fuck was that?

Once he gets a reliable end product....

[Lewis]

Because Daley Blind could get caught out by continental drift.

[Pleb]

This has nil-nil written all over it.

[randomlegend]

The Swansea fans are such small-time nobheads :D

[Lewis]

Swanselona mate.

[Lewis]

He poaches as well. Best player in the world.

[Pleb]

If goal line technology activated there :D

[randomlegend]

Bailly is without a shadow of a doubt the best player - and probably the best human being - in the world.

[randomlegend]

He poaches as well. Best player in the world.

:cool:

[John Arne]

Why are Swansea playing so defensively. You are at home - you need to be winning your home games - you aren't going to do that playing 1 shit striker up front on his own and inviting Man Utd to push forward every time they have the ball. But then, what do I know.

[Ian]

Bailly even shoots studs-up at chest height. :cool:


Because Daley Blind could get caught out by continental drift.

:D

During whatever attack it was down their right I looked at the replay and was about to ask myself where the fuck the left back was until I remembered.

[igor_balis]

Well that was a pretty boring first half.

[Lewis]

Boring is good.

[Lewis]

Imagine if Phil Jones stays fit all season and ends up starting all of our World Cup games. He obviously won't stay fit all season, but just imagine it.

[Ian]

FEC at the back, a revitalised Wayne Rooney up front, literally anybody that isn't Joe Hart chucking in 30 yard free kicks in goal ...we'd be unstoppable.

[John Arne]

Somebody please tell Anthony Martial to cheer the fuck up. every time I see his miserable fucking face, I want to stab the cunt.

[Lewis]

He's done nothing all day as well. Championship form.

[Ian]

That'll do.

[Lewis]

lol he started the move himself.

[randomlegend]

Feels good. This would have somehow ended 1-1 last season.

[randomlegend]

Martial has really got to be starting....

[Ian]

:rave:

[Raoul Duke]

Somebody please tell Anthony Martial to cheer the fuck up. every time I see his miserable fucking face, I want to stab the cunt.

https://imgur.com/ZY79GGJ

EDIT: no idea if that image actually works https://imgur.com/ZY79GGJ

[Reg]

Martial has really got to be starting....
Deserves it over Rashford next week. Although either of them will have an advantage running at tired legs.

[Lewis]

If Taz is at home self-harming trying to hate the four goalscorers, how do you think he would do it?

[Ian]

First step would be to get his missus' permission.

[Ian]

The state of those Kilmarnock stats against Celtic. None of the ball, no shots on target. Are teams at the stage of just resting players against Celtic yet?

[Amigo]

I wouldn't mind Swansea going down.

[Lewis]

First step would be to get his missus' permission.

I was thinking burning himself with the iron, but choking himself with his lead is also a possibility.

[igor_balis]

i still think i'd go herrera and matic as the DM/CMs, with pogba behind lukaku, and any two from martial/mata/rashford etc on the wing.

[randomlegend]

Mkhitaryan has 4 assists in two games, you can't just bin him with stats like those.

[igor_balis]

stick him on the wing.

thrilling stuff at turf moor thus far.

[Giggles]

It's like old times :cool:

898917473055117312

[John Arne]

Arnautovic :face:

https://gyazo.com/5d8ea741ed8df7c8448b6f14e8363a70.gif

[Shindig]

Isn't this the usual Mourinho trajectory? Win something in the second season and then go mental in the third?

[Giggles]

Did that twat go by the Chicharito name in Spain/Germany too or does he just do it in the English league?



.

[Magic]

'The Little Lesbian'

[John Arne]

Did that twat go by the Chicharito name in Spain too or does he just do it in the English league?

He went by kleine Erbse in Germany....

[Foe]

Arnautovic :face:

https://gyazo.com/5d8ea741ed8df7c8448b6f14e8363a70.gif

Another cracking signing by West Ham paying dividends. Last year Ayew injured for several months. This time Arnautovic has decided to go the same way by suspension. That's going to be a boozer of a ban.

[John Arne]

SUPERMANe.

[John Arne]

Another cracking signing by West Ham paying dividends. Last year Ayew injured for several months. This time Arnautovic has decided to go the same way by suspension. That's going to be a boozer of a ban.

It's such a stupid tackle. Some footballers really are as thick as shit.

[Lewis]

He looked astonished when he got sent off as well the idiot.

[Giggles]

West Ham and the scum score in the space of a minute :moop:

[John Arne]

Frank de Boer sticking Scott Dann up-front #AjaxBrandFootball

[Giggles]

Southampton should be well ahead in this.

EDIT: And just handed a weak as fuck penalty in injury time.

[Giggles]

West Ham robbed there, which makes it all the sweeter :D

[Byron]

Argh.

I can't see Bilic lasting long at this rate. By the standards of the Dave's he's spent a fair bit of money (Sporting have probably just added another £5m to Carvalho's tag) and they'll be quick to get rid.

Good to see Arnie being a twat as well. Twat.

[Magic]

Destroying Blunderland. :drool:

[John Arne]

The ref just gave Stoke a free-kick because Ramsey ran towards Butland and raised his leg a bit (about 1m from actually touching him).....

[igor_balis]

Pulis classic today. With Lord Megson back I think I can just about get on board with our FIGHTING BRAND OF FOOTBALL. Flair is overrated.

[Gray Fox]

An awe inspiring 1-0 at home to a relegation threatened team. That'll put the rest of the league on notice.

[Spikey M]

West Ham :harold:

I'd fucking love it if they went down.

[John Arne]

SEA Games currently under way here - I'm sure you have all seen Sepak Takraw before - it's pretty awesome. Some of these guys must be bruised to fuck at the end.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSMw-rIT7DI

[Magic]

Wow. Chris who?

ScousePig

:harold:

[John Arne]

Why are the commentators claiming that Arsenal offside was a mistake... the replay shows he was ever so slightly offside??

[Adamski]

Wow. Chris who?

ScousePig

:harold:

Did he ever specifically clarify which league he felt they were comfortably mid table in?

[Magic]

Did he ever specifically clarify which league he felt they were comfortably mid table in?

Must have been League One. They look shit.

[Reg]

SEA Games currently under way here - I'm sure you have all seen Sepak Takraw before - it's pretty awesome. Some of these guys must be bruised to fuck at the end. [/video]
That must've been invented by a guy who wished there were more bicycle kicks in football.

[Lewis]

Arsenal are obviously having one of their old 'out of it by October' seasons.

[Mazuuurk]

Thats their every season, no?

[Lewis]

It used to be collapsing in March once the pressure was on, then they started BOTTLING IT early doors when the competition increased, but then in 2015/16 they reverted to falling to bits late on when the competition was in a mess. February/March is probably still traditional, but it's nice that they have options.

[ScousePig]

Destroying Blunderland. :drool:

With Brendan Galloway in the side it'd be a crime not to murder us.

[ScousePig]

Did he ever specifically clarify which league he felt they were comfortably mid table in?

Vanarama.

[Magic]

With Brendan Galloway in the side it'd be a crime not to murder us.

He was appalling. Alioski killed him was a sure fire sending off until Larry took him off.

[nsd]

Arnautovic :face:

https://gyazo.com/5d8ea741ed8df7c8448b6f14e8363a70.gif

As a Stoke fan, this makes me inordinately happy. Hope he takes them down.

[ScousePig]

He was appalling. Alioski killed him was a sure fire sending off until Larry took him off.

Him being sent off would have strengthened us. His feigning injury when he went off almost made you feel sorry for him.

Alioski was decent but thought the lad who scored the first was better. It was a good away performance. From our perspective, as soon as we go a goal down we look beaten.

[Offshore Toon]

Hasselbaink (the real one) is talking so much shit on Goals On Sunday. Just cliché after cliché and total guesswork.

[Offshore Toon]

Genuinely excited just to watch Merino today.

[Offshore Toon]

So we've had an elbow to the head and a stamp from Huddersfield already. They played dirty against Palace and got away with it as well.

[John]

Tom Ince is so wasteful.

[Shindig]

We're a bit toothless.

[John]

I really like the look of Mounie. I only seen his goals from the first game so I'm surprised how mobile he looks for such a massive bloke.

[Offshore Toon]

My fears about Gayle look to have been justified. He's so weak with very little to his game.

[John]

Genuinely excited just to watch Merino today.

He's been absolutely crap so far.

[Offshore Toon]

Apart from losing the ball there he hasn't done much despite starting well. "Absolutely crap" is a bit far, but I'm sure you know that.

I think we should bring on Joselu. We need more presence up top and Mitrovic will get sent off if he comes on. Rafa will probably leave it till the 70th minute at 1-0 down to make a change, though.

[Danny]

And the 35.000 € fine goes to...

[Offshore Toon]

We lost our first two games last season with the second defeat to Huddersfield, so I'll try not to think we're going down just yet. Joselu has made a difference, though. Gayle can't start our next game.

[Foe]

We lost our first two games last season with the second defeat to Huddersfield, so I'll try not to think we're going down just yet. Joselu has made a difference, though. Gayle can't start our next game.

Perez wasn't any better. Joselu might well be the number 1 striker.

Why doesn't Rafa rate Diame? I assumed he was injured which was why he wasn't playing ahead of Hayden (who does not look like a premiership player at all).

Manquillo looks like he'd struggle in the championship. How I miss Daryl Janmaat.

[Waffdon]

THat Chelsea team looks far better other than the fact Pedro isn't playing over Moses.

[ScousePig]

I honestly think that performance by Galloway was the worst I've ever seen at this level. Isn't he meant to be a PROSPECT?

I'm racking my brain to think of a worse individual performance, and I've been watching Sunderland most of my life.

I mentioned on here the other week how I didn't think he was up to much and said similar on the Sunderland board and got stick from some people. How can people who watch regular football not pick up on these things?

Supposedly he's really a centre back, but I can't see that either.

[ScousePig]

Not sure what Newcastle were doing signing Manquillo. Seems a bit desperate.

Thought their best players were the new lads, Merino and Joselu.

[Giggles]

Is Christensen the lad always turns out class on FM17?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ath Pilly Kweta's picture is amazing.

[Lewis]

I don't think Tottenham should have been allowed to use Wembley. It's the national stadium, and it should try to remain special. They should have had to share with whichever non-dog track is closest (Saracens?).

[Foe]

Is Christensen the lad always turns out class on FM17?

Aye - was on loan for 2 years in Germany (Werder?) who tried to buy him for like £20mill last summer I think and got told to do one. Suspect he'll do an Alex and come from 'nowhere' in a PL context and absolutely boss it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

How does he miss that?

[Lewis]

Spanish Danny Welbeck mate.

[mugbull]

Rose is so much better than Davies, damn

[mugbull]

Also odds on Wanyama or Dembele getting sent off here are pretty fucking high

[Lewis]

That was good.

[Giggles]

In the five minutes I've seen, Tottenham at Wembley look exactly like Tottenham at Wembley.

[mugbull]

Dembele is the most talented fucking player in the league at his position. He just doesn't have scoring instinct at all, unfortunately

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Kane in August!!1111one!!1!!!

[Waffdon]

Azpilicueta is drunk

[Offshore Toon]

Perez wasn't any better. Joselu might well be the number 1 striker.

Why doesn't Rafa rate Diame? I assumed he was injured which was why he wasn't playing ahead of Hayden (who does not look like a premiership player at all).

Manquillo looks like he'd struggle in the championship. How I miss Daryl Janmaat.
Perez has been shaky for ages. You can tell he's got bags of flair, but he just isn't that good overall. He shined in a team where nothing was expected of him because he has those few magic moments. Idiots still think he's quality, though.

Diame isn't first choice. I think Rafa knows he's a bit shit and is keeping him around as backup for now since he's better than Colback. Hayden did look terrible today, but Huddersfield had us sussed in midfield. We were lacking in mobility and they were all over us.

Manquillo does look a bit pants. I know Anita got caught out of position a lot, but he definitely should have been kept around.

[Offshore Toon]

Not sure what Newcastle were doing signing Manquillo. Seems a bit desperate.

Thought their best players were the new lads, Merino and Joselu.
Manquillo was an incredibly desperate signing. We had to bulk up the squad so it had to be cheap options. Merino messed up a few times, but you can tell there's quality there. I liked Joselu too. They can only get better with a run of games.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What an introduction.

[Amigo]

Fucking lol.

[John]

That's a quality finish.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lolris.

[Waffdon]

Lloris has a few howlers a season.

[John]

Marcos Alonso, goal machine.

[Waffdon]

Kante shrugging off Kane was amazing.

[Ian]

That should never be going in.

[igor_balis]

God spurs are so stodgy and sideways and ponderous. So boring to watch.

[John]

Conte was like that dad going bananas in his car there.

[Ian]

I didn't realise Arnautovic had the cheek to be outraged at his sending off yesterday. What a colossal dildo.

[Shindig]

What's Spurs record at Wembley now? I know it was atrocious in the Champions' League.

[Foe]

I didn't realise Arnautovic had the cheek to be outraged at his sending off yesterday. What a colossal dildo.

He got clocked immediately before it himself so in his mind it was fine.

[John]

What's Spurs record at Wembley now? I know it was atrocious in the Champions' League.

Two wins and eight losses in eleven.

[niko_cee]

Gearing up for a return for 'Arry then with that sort of form.

What was it? 4 points from 8 games?

[John]

According to Redknapp 'there's not many forwards' other than Kane who make attacking runs when the ball is out wide. Top punditry.

[niko_cee]

Pep Mel's mob look a little shonky here.

I love the fact that Gerry on commentary lists Neymar among the key players missing for Barcelona. Other notable absentees being Figo, Maradona and Cruijff.

[niko_cee]

I hadn't properly appreciated that Chelsea were rocking a back 8 yesterday. Nice.

[John Arne]

Willian is so fucking good. Barcelona should forgot about Coutinho (please) and go for King Willian.

[CJay]

Willian is so fucking good.

I agree. He's fantastic for Chelsea's system - kind of like those old Argentinian / Italian sides with broadly 7 defenders and 3 (great) attackers. He's brilliant at carrying the ball and so dangerous when he gets in that position at the corner of the area because he can shift his weight so quickly from a standing start.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The League Cup third round draw is to be held in Beijing at 4.15am UK time.

I missed the game yesterday but lolled as the alerts came in on my phone proving my first post in this thread right.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fucking lol.

China probably paid millions too.

[phonics]

Considering the competition is sponsored by an Asian energy drinks company, that I don't think they even sell in the UK, I doubt it.

[niko_cee]

I shall be taking in some sweet sweet Carabao Cup action tomorrow night.

[mugbull]

No way the Chinese (or anybody) cares about the League Cup 3rd round draw

[Waffdon]

Klassen and Sigurdsson on the bench for Everton. Strange. Also absolutely fuck all pace in their team.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Probably because they're away to City, get the terriers in.

[igor_balis]

This is just about the first time I've watched MNF in full for about 3 years thanks to my drunken NOW TV month pass purchase, Neville and Carragher are pretty great tbfh.

My big preddo for tonight - Rooney to be garbage, and Sigurdsson to replace him and score.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Carragher is good, but when you first realise that Gary Neville just talks utter shite in a convincing tone of voice, it's like realising there's no tooth fairy.

[Baz]

Ederson's tattoos are something else. :sick:

[igor_balis]

Carragher is good, but when you first realise that Gary Neville just talks utter shite in a convincing tone of voice, it's like realising there's no tooth fairy.

I'm gonna choose to refuse to believe the latter, but yeah I think I prefer Carragher. They made a pretty solid comedy double act as well.

[Amigo]

Klassen and Sigurdsson on the bench for Everton. Strange. Also absolutely fuck all pace in their team.

Gylfi hasn't played since early June.

[Lewis]

'Carra' knows his role. Gary Neville is a widehead who probably thinks he is bigger than Sky.

[Waffdon]

Jordan Pickford would have been a wet dream for 'Pep'. Distribution is so good.

[John]

Is Ederson wearing a mouthguard or something? He'd fit right in getting a bong shoved down his throat off Vic Mackie.

[Mazuuurk]

Is it just me or is applauding in the 22nd minute for 22 deaths a little tasteless somehow? Almost like highlighting the amount of deaths...?

Silent minute seems a little more normal.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Maine Road sounds like a swimming pool. Are they all plastics there these days?

[Amigo]

Top quality booing, tbf.

[Mike]

This match is like a computer game that’s glitched so all the players get the same boots.

[Mike]

And they’re those boots that look like they’re odd boots, just to add to the glitching.

[Lewis]

:drool:

[Waffdon]

Rooney :cool:

[Ian]

Let's buy him back for £50m and win the lot.

[igor_balis]

ha!

[Jimmy Floyd]

John Stones playing everyone onside and then giving the slowest player in the world five yards of space, surely he's just not good enough to be playing at this level.

It will be quite lol when Wayne gets 52 league goals this season though.

[Amigo]

lol, Stones.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Gueye and Davies really impressive in the Everton midfield.

[John]

Stones has never gone more than two or three games without a catstrophic fuck up. I reckon fifty million quid for him represents the least value for money any club will ever get.

[Raoul Duke]

Stones has never gone more than two or three games without a catstrophic fuck up. I reckon fifty million quid for him represents the least value for money any club will ever get.

Andy Carrol says hi

[Ian]

Oh this is good.

[igor_balis]

That pass was more like the Rooney we know and love.

[Mike]

Money well spent.

[Disco]

This is brilliant.

[Lewis]

Andy Carrol says hi

I was going to say that Liverpool ended up getting half of it back from West Ham, but you could just as easily have meant his West Ham transfer.

[Mazuuurk]

LOL.

though that seemed a tad harsh to me.

[niko_cee]

:D

Just drafted in to my fantasy team as well.

[Waffdon]

Gueye and Davies really impressive in the Everton midfield.

Their midfield options are fucking excellent.

Calvert-Lewin has been looked good as well - always looked slow and ponderous last year.

[-james-]

Gueye and Davies really impressive in the Everton midfield.

I love Tom Davies. Can't remember a more exciting English player this decade.

[Lewis]

I love Tom Davies. Can't remember a more exciting English player this decade.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po5DazbfcB8

[Weaver]

Credit to Koeman for sticking with the younguns - could quite easily have went for 'experience' and pulled in Mirallas, Klaasen and Tony Hibbert instead of Calvert, Davies and Holgate.

[Waffdon]

Kompany is arguably worse there.

[Adamski]

I love Tom Davies. Can't remember a more exciting English player this decade.

This is a bit silly for me. Sterling at Liverpool that one season was light years better.

[Yevrah]

It doesn't matter anyway. He's English so he'll be treading water for his club and phoning it in for England within 2-3 years.

[Lewis]

https://s3.postimg.org/6ro0a2u83/DHx2_Gza_WAAE261_Z.jpg

That lolling boy is reminiscent of that girl in Schindler's List.

[niko_cee]

I love the faces in a crowd pic like that. So many look wildly out of place.

[Mike]

I used to love when the old CM games would have backgrounds like that.

[Lewis]

Roberto Ayala would be spinning in his grave watching that.

[mugbull]

Calvert-Lewin is good huh

[Offshore Toon]

I wouldn't mind seeing Rooney lead Everton to the title.

[Reg]

Ryan looked dodgy again for us. He needs to shake it off quickly, maybe keeping a clean sheet against Barnet would set him right. Our next four league games are winnable; need to get 4+ points from those and it'll be worry time if we don't.

I think we're well equipped to follow the three-defender trend. Duffy, Dunk, Hunemeier at the back. As far as I know Hughton has never played three at the back so it'll probably never happen.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Cracking volley that.

[Waffdon]

Koeman is the most defensive manager in history.

[Mike]

Been alright this game.

[Waffdon]

Couldn't have tackled the ball any better

[Amigo]

What a massive flange Aguero is.

[Raoul Duke]

Why did Koeman take off a centre back?

[Shindig]

Wayne Rooney's unstoppable. Here's too another 100 caps.

[Giggles]

Good spot.

899738426416611328

[Lewis]

That's almost as good as this (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/08/21/wayne-rooney-focus-class-still-flickers-england-recall-beckons/).

[Magic]

https://s3.postimg.org/6ro0a2u83/DHx2_Gza_WAAE261_Z.jpg

That lolling boy is reminiscent of that girl in Schindler's List.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/football/2017/08/22/PIC_trans_NvBQzQNjv4Bq2oUEflmHZZHjcYuvN_Gr-bVmXC2g6irFbtWDjolSHWg.png

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/08/22/incredible-picture-shows-manchester-city-fans-goading-wayne/

:D

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/news/46353/bert-millichip%E2%80%99s-ball-bag-%E2%80%93-preview

More on the Carabao Cup draw from this glorious QPR fanzine post.

[John Arne]

If it's slightly obscure Asian football that you are after...

Bengaluru (IND) v April 25 (PRK) in the AFC Inter-zone Semi-final 1st leg....

http://tele-wizja.top/bein-sport3.php

[Giggles]

Any word on how Towell fared last night Reg? I believe he's heading for Burton so wasn't expecting an appearance at all.

[Reg]

Not very well apparently. He might not have played if Kayal was fit.

[Giggles]

Not very well apparently. He might not have played if Kayal was fit.

Burton it is so. I still can't understand why they extended him, he's never good enough for where they are now.

[Reg]

Yeah, that was a weird one. Maybe some insurance in case somebody got a bad injury in pre-season.

[niko_cee]

Towell was fairly poor.

Was looking forward to a sighting but I'm not sure he touched the ball in the first half, and whilst he was better in the second he didn't really do anything and I was operating under the assumption that he was there to control the game or at least do something in the attacking third. The young (I assume) Irish lad in midfield Molumby was probably the man of the match and Tilley looked sharp when he came on. It was a fairly poor game all told, Barnet probably deserved a draw even though they only really came to be compact. Hit the post and forced one good save from Maenpaa (who was good until I had that thought in about the 85th minute and he immediately meffed a clearance quite badly). That Mathew 'Maty' Ryan looks too small to be a 'keeper.

Knockaert was a monumental twat and should probably have been sent off for his various altercations with the officials. He's such a simpering Gallic cunt at times.

[Giggles]

Never heard of Molumby before now.

[niko_cee]

Not going to be a flashy player, but he did his job well and laid on the goal with a nice pass to Rosenior.

Brighton were mega stodgy, mind.

[Reg]

Do you reckon Knockaert was subbed because he was looking like getting sent off, Niko?

I'm really hoping Ryan's confidence hasn't been knocked too much. A clean sheet Saturday would be lovely.

[niko_cee]

Absolutely. He was booked going down the tunnel after going head to head with the lino a few minutes earlier and after about the 30th minute (when he thought he was fouled) he was strutting about like a right bellend. Missed a sitter as well which probably didn't help his state of mind.