[FOOTBALL] Weekend, New Year's Day & Midweek Fixtures (Fri 29 Dec - Thurs 4 Jan)

[Reg]

Also some Serie A and other stuff http://www.live-footballontv.com

Friday 19:45
Cardiff v Preston - Sky Sports Mix
St Mirren v Dundee United - BT Sport 2

Saturday 15:00
Watford v Swansea
Huddersfield v Burnley
Bournemouth v Everton
Newcastle v Brighton
Liverpool v Leicester
Chelsea v Stoke
Man United v Southampton - 17:30 BT Sport

Celtic v Rangers - 12:00 Sky Sports
Bristol City v Wolves - 17:30 Sky Sports

Sunday
Crystal Palace v Man City - 12:00 Sky Sports
West Brom v Arsenal - 16:30 Sky Sports

Monday - New Year's Day 15:00
Brighton v Bournemouth - 12:30 Sky Sports
Burnley v Liverpool
Stoke v Newcastle
Leicester v Huddersfield
Everton v Man United - 17:30 Sky Sports

Leeds United v Nottingham Forest - 15:00 Sky Sports

Tuesday 19:45
Southampton v Crystal Palace
Swansea v Tottenham - Sky Sports
West Ham v West Brom
Man City v Watford - 20:00

Napoli v Atalanta (Cup QF) - Sky Sports

Wednesday
Arsenal v Chelsea - 19:45 Sky Sports

Juventus v Torino (Cup QF) - 19:45 Sky Sports
Benfica v Sporting CP - 21:30 FreeSports

Thursday
Tottenham v West Ham - 20:00 Sky Sports

[Pleb]

Sensational tele picks there from BT and Sky.

[Magic]

:drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not doing anything all weekend, especially on New Year's Eve when my plan is to sit alone and eat cheese, so I'll see how many games I can take in. Cardiff v Preston is going to be a testing start though.

[Kikó]

St Mirren v Dundee United is huge.

[Shindig]

I'd fancy our chances more against Stoke than Brighton. I feel like season will be about trying to keep Palace at arms length. Or a cat's whisker.

[Waffdon]

St Mirren v Dundee United is huge.

Best thing was the snowball fight.

Ca believe MJ is still shagging his Missus.

[-james-]

https://i.imgur.com/kGZQII3.jpg

Is 15 offside?

[Boydy]

Hard to tell from that angle.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Having gone into Paint and drawn lines on it, I would say he is offside by about two inches, and so it probably shouldn't be given.

[-james-]

That was my impression, the grass is misleading.

He runs on and scores. Shot data based models rate it an 0.5 xG chance, but if the linesman gets it right it's zilch. He's done something right to outwit the idiot left back though so I think I'll meet them half way. :cool2:

[niko_cee]

On the subject of offside, and drawing lines, when did it become acceptable (or standard practise) to take the line from the furthest most forward/back part of the respective protagonists? I've got no time for the modern phenomena of someone's toe being used as the defining point. Is there even an accepted methodology as to what the rule requires? I always think it should be done in the same way that photo finishes are in sprinting - through the chest.

[-james-]

It's the closest part of the attacker's body that can legally play the ball, isn't it? So strictly speaking a toe is often correct.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That was my impression, the grass is misleading.

He runs on and scores. Shot data based models rate it an 0.5 xG chance, but if the linesman gets it right it's zilch. He's done something right to outwit the idiot left back though so I think I'll meet them half way. :cool2:

It's probably only because one player has his feet together and the other has his leg extended. Jeff and the boys would do you for 'daylight'.

[Baz]

Liverpool’s counterattack will smash Leicester’s counterattack to smithereens. :drool:

[Kikó]

Best thing was the snowball fight.

Ca believe MJ is still shagging his Missus.

https://twitter.com/RossMixDonald/status/946845597587464194

Shit second half performance. Missing a penalty though /0\

[Jimmy Floyd]

Watching the Old Firm derby. I'd say Rodgers should move on almost immediately, or certainly at the end of the season. This team has probably peaked, looks very complacent.

[John]

Lustig has had an absolutely howling game. Bodgers will invite him round for tea and a chat tomorrow morning.

James Forrest is a fucking coward, knew exactly what he was doing with that little hop into McCrorie.

For our part, Kranjcar needs shipped off to Peru as soon as we can arrange it, Declan John is brilliant, and Morelos must never be involved in build up play ever again.

[-james-]

Ajer looks really good. Celtic could easily be getting 50 million for him, Tierney and Dembele.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I quite like this Rangers team but can imagine they are infuriatingly inconsistent. You need a central midfield leader and a target man.

[John]

Ajer looks really good. Celtic could easily be getting 50 million for him, Tierney and Dembele.

:D He's nineteen and he's played about five games. Behave.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Looks like a total bomb scare to me, although presumably he's supposed to be a midfielder and not a defender.

[Giggles]

There's not this many posts about the entirety of the premier league Saturday slate normally.

[-james-]

He's been Celtic's best player for me, Jeff.

[John]

But there is always a post from you moaning about a lack of posts, and consistency is key, so thanks for getting involved.

[John]

Bates has been terrific since coming on. Nothing fancy but has done the basics very well. No more Alves, please.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's been Celtic's best player for me, Jeff.

Fabulously pretty and I suppose those qualities are worth something in this football. I prefer Tierney, would have him at Chelsea tbh.

[Giggles]

But there is always a post from you moaning about a lack of posts, and consistency is key, so thanks for getting involved.

Hi John. Jump off something you sack of knob leakage.

[John]

Hi John. Jump off something you sack of knob leakage.

I've jumped off the couch several times during this game.

[Giggles]

That's nice. I suppose I can identify with someone getting excited over meaningless leagues these days too so I shouldn't be so hard on you.

o/

[John]

o/

Why would you want to touch a 'sack of knob leakage'? Fucking weirdo.

[Giggles]

:D

[Kikó]

Fabulously pretty and I suppose those qualities are worth something in this football. I prefer Tierney, would have him at Chelsea tbh.

Get him in at united. He is a talent that we can bench behind young.

[Jimmy Floyd]

More likely, can't imagine us signing an Irish Catholic. We'll take Shaw off your hands for about eighty quid if that's alright.

[John]

Tierney will definitely be a Premiership player before long, probably for several Dembele Dollars.

Third best full back on the pitch today though.

[John]

Kris Commons is giving a fabulous interview for a job in the Bodgers spin room here. His genuine take just now was that Scott Sinclair was just too talented to put a particular chance away.

[Giggles]

More likely, can't imagine us signing an Irish Catholic. We'll take Shaw off your hands for about eighty quid if that's alright.

I doubt Tierney is Irish or he'd have about 15 caps by now.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's called Kieran Tierney, he must be basically Irish even if he plays for Scotland.

[Giggles]

Never heard any mention of any part of the recent tree being from here. According to Wikipedia he's not from Scotland either though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Isle of Man? That's a new one.

[Giggles]

Could he have held out for England then?

[John]

He signed for Celtic at seven years old, so if he had any immediate Irish heritage he'd probably be playing for Ireland. He will have some in there though, Kieran Tierney is about as Irish as it gets without going down the Phil McGillivan route.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Interesting that the first thing Morata says in this interview, when asked about what England is like compared to Spain and Italy, is 'the referees are better'. He's spot on as well.

[Giggles]

Better in the sense that most of them likely aren't bought at least.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Klopp was shitting the bed in the pre-match interview, so Christ knows what he'll be like if this stays the same.

[Reg]

Stoke three down to Chelsea already. You'd think Hughes will be next. Someone on one of the football podcasts made the point that they've become a team with no real identity: they're not Delap era 'hoof and head it', they're not all that flair-filled and exciting after the initial promise of Shakiri and co., and they're not any good against the best teams anymore. They're got some good players but it feels like a new era is needed. I say this after giving the subject about two minutes thought and my team one point ahead of them in the live table, but maybe there's something in it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's got to go this evening just for the team selection. You can't go to a Premier League match trying to lose.

[Giggles]

I don't know how he's ever lasted this long.

[mugbull]

There are a bunch of pointless shit teams in the Prem this year, more so than in the past couple seasons. I guess the whole thing is sinusoidal so it'll return to normal eventually but I'd relegate half the league as it is

[nsd]

Stoke three down to Chelsea already. You'd think Hughes will be next. Someone on one of the football podcasts made the point that they've become a team with no real identity: they're not Delap era 'hoof and head it', they're not all that flair-filled and exciting after the initial promise of Shakiri and co., and they're not any good against the best teams anymore. They're got some good players but it feels like a new era is needed. I say this after giving the subject about two minutes thought and my team one point ahead of them in the live table, but maybe there's something in it.

A lot of Stoke fans have wanted him gone since the end of last season, and the remaining few after the Bournemouth loss. He won't go on the back of this though, I don't think it'd be until after next weekend's game, I don't even know who it is we're playing. Long overdue when he finally does leave.

[John Arne]

Salah and Gomez are so, so good. :drool:

[Mike]

We’d never have overturned this in recent years. Good old Klopp.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Crappacosta on the scoresheet, what times we live in.

[-james-]

Watford have binned it again, fucking hell. Marco Costa binmnan in disguise.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Carlos had a dream :drool:

[John Arne]

Just noticed that Spurs don't play today, or on the 31st. Seems to be a lucky draw for them.

[Spoonsky]

Salah :cool:

I haven't loved a Liverpool player this much since Fernando Torres.

[CJay]

Just noticed that Spurs don't play today, or on the 31st. Seems to be a lucky draw for them.

Eh? They’re playing 3 games in 6 days starting the middle of this week.

Superb win for Liverpool today. Mike is right - we used to lose or draw those. Salah is the man.

[John Arne]

Eh? They’re playing 3 games in 6 days starting the middle of this week.


Oh really.. I only saw fixtures up until 2nd.

[mugbull]

Rashford and Mkhitaryan are jokes.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've seen a fuckload of goalless football today. Bristol City and Wolves was a great 20 minutes until Danny Batth managed to go over the top of someone, got sent off, and since then it's been the dullest game of the season.

[Reg]

That one long shot Matic scored has given him the belief he can score a goal of the season contender every time he's in possession forty yards out, and it's going to curse United's build up for about five years.

[Baz]

HAHAHA Pogba you mug.

Goal would have stood if he didn’t kick it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wolvies with a 94th minute winner. Easy promotion for them. They may be the front for an international criminal conspiracy, but I like their manager.

[Jimmy Floyd]

And lol at us overtaking one of the MANCHESTER GIANTS while scoring fewer goals.

[Kikó]

Dreadful. The only way is down.

[Adamski]

Ajer looks really good. Celtic could easily be getting 50 million for him, Tierney and Dembele.

This is absolute nonsense :D

Tierney got dominated by a 30 year old journeyman :D and Josh fucking Windass has more goals than Dembele this season.

[Giggles]

I had presumed he meant for all three.

[Lewis]

I was fortunate enough to miss the United match, but I've just seen the 'highlights' and it's another one for the Lukaku end of season review. Alright mate go missing in the big matches, but you were literally bought to finish that chance a few minutes in.

[Waffdon]

This is absolute nonsense :D

Tierney got dominated by a 30 year old journeyman :D and Josh fucking Windass has more goals than Dembele this season.

Jesus.

[Baz]

Jesus cries.

https://dahliasent.files.wordpress.com/2016/11/tsywkfd.gif?w=685

[Jimmy Floyd]

I see good old Jon Moss hasn't sent Puncheon off for that piece of barbarism.

[Reg]

Two 0-0s for me this weekend. Bah. On today's evidence I'd say Man City will get beaten at some point.

Palace look good under Hodgson, which is a little annoying. But I reckon we can be confident of five or so teams being worse than us. We don't really seem to have done very well at all for about two months, but are still looking pretty safe in 12th. It worked out quite well with the teams below us who have done well in that time having been so far behind previously (Palace, West Ham), allowing us to hover while not really doing anything.

Ashley Young has been charged for an elbow (http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11190862/manchester-uniteds-ashley-young-charged-with-violent-conduct-by-fa-after-southampton-draw).

[Jimmy Floyd]

Elbowing Tadic should get him Player of the Month if anything.

[mugbull]

Fuck 'stocky', Kolasinac is obese

[phonics]

He's part-Dothraki so it's all natural.

[Max Power]

The Arsenal in red shorts looks weird. Have they ever done that before.

[phonics]

It's because of West Broms shorts apparently. First time we've done it since the late 70s or something. Looks fucking weird.

[Jimmy Floyd]

And you've never played against another team with white shorts since the 70s.

[phonics]

Well they're not for sale so I can't imagine it's a commercial thing. Maybe most other clubs have a second color on them?

[mugbull]

The Arsenal in red shorts looks weird. Have they ever done that before.

I actually think it looks really nice.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Arsenal are a thoroughly uninspiring team, aren't they? Even if they play well, they're not going anywhere as a team. It's just some men playing football.

Sorry Arsene. luv u.

[phonics]

We're really dull these days. No real plan.

Changed the year we beat Newcastle to finish fourth. Kept getting smashed so became a team that plays tight and beat teams on the basis of our players being better than everyone else's.

That Everton game was sex though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

9 Premier League games this weekend, and we'll make the Old Firm derby the honorary 10th game. 6 goalless draws unless there is an unlikely goal in this one.

[phonics]

Thinking back to it, these games have always been pretty poor.

[phonics]

Calum Chambers getting rid of his long hair the moment he gets back in the first team is proper Mourinho mind games stuff.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Weng bringing Diaby on at LM would be blessed relief from this turgid shite.

[mugbull]

What's the likelihood this is Sanchez's last Arsenal game? Do they have another one next weekend?

[Adamski]

They play again on Wednesday.

[mugbull]

Sucks for him then

[phonics]

I'm not sure what Alex Iwobi is good at these days. So many players where I have no idea what their role is.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not sure what Alex Iwobi is good at these days. So many players where I have no idea what their role is.

Playing in League One, along with three or so of his team mates here.

I've sat through some terrible football this weekend, but this game takes the biscuit.

[phonics]

Don't worry fans of The Arsenal, Per Mertesacker is coming on to unlock a resilient defense.

[Jimmy Floyd]

75 minutes. Allan Nyom replaces Hal Robson-Kanu. Send help.

[phonics]

The only goal being off a shit free kick deflected in off the wall is what this game deserves.

[mugbull]

I'm so sad they've taken the lead there

[phonics]

And that penalty. lol. Mike Dean is a joke.

[phonics]

Pretty sure Cech still hasn't saved a penalty for Arsenal.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Pretty sure Cech still hasn't saved a penalty for Arsenal.

He's always been very poor at saving penalties. Had a couple kicked at him in Munich, thankfully.

[phonics]

You'd expect him to go the right way once in five years considering we conceded the most per season twice in them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Arsene Wenger there accusing other people of becoming worse at their jobs over time.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Watching Brighton, it's amazing how integral Groß is to them. If he got knackered I doubt they'd score a goal for the rest of the season.

[Gray Fox]

No Coutinho in the Liverpool squad. Guess that's the writing on the wall there.

[Baz]

No Coutinho in the Liverpool squad. Guess that's the writing on the wall there.Or Sturridge. :wave:

[Boydy]

This is going to be a bore draw.

[Reg]

Haven't you got a dodgy record when all of the 'Fab Four' play? Too many good players spoil the team.

Jimmy Floyd Any rivals to him and Richarlison for bargain of the season?

Televised game plus hangovers meant lots of empty seats today. Strange how quickly this Premier League lark has become routine. Not since the Newcastle game has it felt like something really special. Beating one of the top six is the next thing that will feel genuinely exciting.

[Mike]

I’d forgot what watching a normal team every week was like, with three of our front four out today though I’ve been reminded.

Solanke isn’t good enough. Send him to Brighton or someone until the summer.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jimmy Floyd Any rivals to him and Richarlison for bargain of the season?

Some of the Huddersfield players must be up there but in terms of value to the team, no one comes near Groß. I think you'd almost certainly be down without him.

On another note I see Harvey Barnes gone back to Leicester. Watch out for him second half of the season.

[Waffdon]

That finish from Mahrez is absolutely beautiful.

[John Arne]

Nick Pope appears to have wrists and arms made of steel.

[John Arne]

For fucks sake. Inevitable.

[John Arne]

Fuck yes!!!!!!!!!!

[John Arne]

Mark Hughes gone tonight?

[Guybrush]

Fucking get in!

[Gray Fox]

7 changes and made a solid Burnley team look very average. Progress.

If Mark Hughes still has a job tomorrow morning I'll be surprised.

[Shindig]

I hope we can grind a few more of those out.

[Mike]

Another game we wouldn’t have won 12-18months ago.

[John Arne]

No expense spared....

https://gyazo.com/aebdce6982c6558ea7876f2749020805.jpg

[Jimmy Floyd]

Rafa is doing as well as any manager this season I reckon.

7th place I think is likely to be Europe (unless someone pokey wins the FA Cup) so the Leicester/Burnley race for that should be thriling before they play a reserve team and lose to TPS Turku in July.

[Lewis]

It looks like Paulp Ogba as a number ten (seems like the long-term bet), and Anthony Martial up front. :cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I just completed my seventh goalless game of the last few days, and I'm very much looked forward to the next one in 15 minutes.

[Lewis]

Wayne Rooney hat-trick.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sky's little studio effort with Henry and Souness today has been tragic. Can they not drive the vans quickly enough to get the cameras to Goodison?

[Giggles]

Nothing ever wants me actively want to turn off coverage quicker than Henry. It's like everything he says is with the single aim of being in Twitter clips in the morning.

[Waffdon]

Fuck yes!!!!!!!!!!

State of these nonce Liverpool fans.

[Lewis]

I once joked about them following the bargain Thursday/Saturday Super League coverage, so expect them all to be just wibbling over Chinese broadcasts by 2020.

[John Arne]

Thailand 'keeper training :drool:

947570574234042369

[Giggles]

Is that weird lalala music for the walk out an Everton thing or a PL thing? Is really odd for what it's for.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They must be in quite big trouble. Firing presenters everywhere, have no-marks doing match commentary, axeing programmes and cutting production costs everywhere. Richard Keys and Andy Gray will have the last laugh.

It's not quite as transparent as the BBC only selecting FA Cup ties from the north west, though. Liverpool and Fleetwood getting the two nods for this round.

[Lewis]

I would ask Jeff Stelling who his five best mates are, sack him and them, and then just hope it all sorts itself out.

That is also a winning idea, if anyone from Sky was reading.

[Lewis]

This is literally applause for everyone who died last year. Fucking hell.

[John Arne]

State of these nonce Liverpool fans.

Suck my balls.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is the worst thing I've ever seen.

[Mike]

Is that weird lalala music for the walk out an Everton thing or a PL thing? Is really odd for what it's for.

Z Cars.

[Giggles]

Z Cars.

What's the significance? Sounds like something you'd hear of you were watching those nonces going around a maypole.

[John Arne]

Lee Dixon on commentary really is an boring, unfunny twat.

[Mike]

What's the significance? Sounds like something you'd hear of you were watching those nonces going around a maypole.

I dunno. They’ve always had it though.

[Shindig]

Z Cars was set on Merseyside. Watford took it first, as it was Bill McGarry's (then manager) favourite TV show.

[-james-]

United are proper rotten.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lindelof looks like this century's William Prunier.

[Giggles]

I knew from results they must have been shit lately but they're fucking rancid.

Was Lindelof not bought as a centre half?

[Jimmy Floyd]

That Adidas advert is the low point of western civilisation so far.

[Lewis]

They should do a counter-advert with Marcos Rojo burning toast and spiting people.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Henry has had a few.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I like to think Adidas told him to keep the same hairstyle for a few months as well so that the advert would still look relevant.

[SvN]

Lindelof will come good, but he's definitely not a full back.

[Giggles]

Lindelof will come good, but he's definitely not a full back.

Isn't it that kind of fucking about early in play that ruined Jones forever too?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Equaliser will come in the 86th minute.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Big Sam should go for his approach to team selection here. Much worse than a pint of wine with an undercover reporter.

[Lewis]

The Goodison Seethe (unique TTH Google result) is building nicely.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a don Lingard is.

[Lewis]

Did anyone see that Sun story about Lionel Jesse cheating on his model girlfriend with a fat single mother? I'm now convinced that he doesn't even know what he's doing when these wonder goals go in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why is Pogba wading in for a fight and raising his hands at 2-0 up? Must be the thickest bloke going.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Did anyone see that Sun story about Lionel Jesse cheating on his model girlfriend with a fat single mother? I'm now convinced that he doesn't even know what he's doing when these wonder goals go in.

#dontbuythesun #stopfundinghate

[Raoul Duke]

Lingard slowly developing into a nifty little player, just in time for a disappointing World Cup :drool:

[Lewis]

Also, when you image search 'Goodison Seethe' you get this (http://photobucket.com/gallery/user/Atasel/media/cGF0aDovd2VuZ2VyMS5qcGc=/?ref=). What a board.

[Baz]

The Goodison Seethe (unique TTH Google result) is building nicely.Wow P_3 should do more weekend football threads.

[randomlegend]

Just come here after watching the United game and surprised to see us getting slated. Thought we actually played pretty well for once. Pogba was a beast (as is liable to happen when he's played in a midfield 3 as he should be).

[Boydy]

Did anyone see that Sun story about Lionel Jesse cheating on his model girlfriend with a fat single mother? I'm now convinced that he doesn't even know what he's doing when these wonder goals go in.

#ticktings

[Reg]

Just come here after watching the United game and surprised to see us getting slated. Thought we actually played pretty well for once. Pogba was a beast (as is liable to happen when he's played in a midfield 3 as he should be).
Yeah, I thought they played quite well. Pogba in that position is maybe at his best but just his presence in any formation is so important for them. I still think he could add the ability to slow the pace down and control a game, which would be a much better way of defending leads than inviting teams on (today was a bit better in that regard actually).

[Lewis]

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/11192549/manchester-uniteds-jose-mourinho-hits-back-at-paul-scholes-criticism

:lol:

[Jimmy Floyd]

That bit where he does various calculations regarding his own trophy count and then says 'But in my mind? Paul Scholes, phenomenal player' is absolutely mega.

[Gray Fox]

I've just been told Hughes purposefully lost to Chelsea with a weak team because he knew they'd beat Newcastle at full strength.

How does he still have a job?

[Shindig]

Because Tony Pulis is no longer available?

[Jimmy Floyd]

He should have been fired at half time in the Chelsea game for a basic breach of footballing logic, but to then lose the game he was resting them for and still keep a job suggests that Peter Coates is a fucking moron.

[Jimmy Floyd]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42537120

I wish this cunt and his ilk would fuck off. Football isn't designed to maximise your chances of playing pretty football, it's designed for people to have an enjoyable escape from the grind of daily life, and that means lots of games at Christmas. Fucking deal with it.

City have 7 open spots in their 25-man squad that they have chosen not to fill, as it happens, so it's his fault that he can't rotate.

[John Arne]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42537120

I wish this cunt and his ilk would fuck off. Football isn't designed to maximise your chances of playing pretty football, it's designed for people to have an enjoyable escape from the grind of daily life, and that means lots of games at Christmas. Fucking deal with it.

City have 7 open spots in their 25-man squad that they have chosen not to fill, as it happens, so it's his fault that he can't rotate.

Especially strange when they have invested something like $300m in their WORLD CLASS ELITE ACADEMY. U21 players, as I remember, do not have to be registered.... so just play some younger players.

[Jimmy Floyd]

From memory I think Gabriel Jesus and Sané don't count, so they could easily have another 5 squad players if they wanted to (6 considering Yaya Touré is dead wood). Chelsea are similar. It's probably FFP limitations on salary I guess.

[Giggles]

Surely someone told him the was a Christmas fixture list when he was taking the job.

[McAvennie]

Surely he's still allowed to comment when he wants to be as competitive as possible whilst looking after his players fatigue.

Now if he's complaining that their fixtures are somehow more onerous than everyone else's then I think he could do one, but he's not.

but I like Jims assertion that football is there for us to escape the grind of daily life, so we need more of it at Christmas,
as it's such a miserable time of the year 😄

[Jimmy Floyd]

We need more of it at Christmas because that's when people have bank holidays/time off and are able to go.

Our football is exceptional compared to other countries in this respect, isn't our second tier the fifth most attended league in the world or some such? You go to Spain or Portugal and it's just a racket to ensure the big clubs win, not so here.

[niko_cee]

Was at the Amex yesterday for my first taste of Premier League Football there. Thought the atmosphere was good, although I was informed it was no better, and perhaps more subdued, than much of the season (which tallies with what Reg said). Echo Jimmy's sentiments about Gross. I said as much to the Brightonite I go with but he seemed to think that, in a worst case scenario of losing him they'd shunt Propper forward (where he plays for Holland) and put Kayal into midfield, which seemed plausible. Definitely the class player on the pitch though (him and Ibe probably). Shame Izquierdo couldn't cap an otherwise excellent performance with what would have been the winning goal. You could sense the nervousness after that meffing from all quarters. Still no idea how that Wilson goal went in, it probably wasn't undeserved, although it looked a fluke, and Brighton definitely had the better of the chances, if not of the game. I've no idea how Brighton are so bad on set pieces at both ends of the pitch seeing as it has been a major strength in seasons past. Bournemouth played nice stuff but looked very beatable when Brighton put them under pressure. Unfortunately they eased off as both halves progressed, which cost them. Hughton probably takes some responsibility for that through both the approach and the failure to make any changes until very late in the game. 2 points dropped.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The second Bournemouth goal came largely from Propper's shit attempt at a clearance amidst the melee.

I think they tired a bit in both halves, to the extent I thought Bournemouth might nick it towards the end. Also would suggest they need a tougher customer than Stephens/Propper somewhere in that midfield, although my opinion on midfields might have been clouded by largely watching Kanté for the last 18 months.

[niko_cee]

It looked like quite a few folk took a swing at the ball during that interminable melee. I think those two have been decent enough, if not spectacular. The most pressing concern is probably a centre-forward as although Murray is an honest trier, and he wins the header off every goal kick, he's probably not quite good enough at this level, but then who doesn't need a strong and pacey 20 goal a season forward (or a midfield engine like Kanté for that matter)?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lots of teams are crying out for a goalscorer this window, there just aren't many of them around these days (as evidenced by Everton's bid to get this bloke from Turkey). In the 90s or early 00s, you could just bring in Andy Johnson or Darren Huckerby.

[Reg]

You're right about the set pieces, niko. I can't believe it's become a weakness really. We aren't making the most of Gross' deliveries and neither the defensive or attacking corners look particularly practiced. Perhaps we just spend 99% of training time on defensive shape in open play. The equaliser looked terrible and is equally terrible watched on replay (http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/11192705/watch-premier-league-goals-and-highlights-from-new-years-day). Duffy isn't tight enough on the first goal and has a mare on the second (two chances to clear).

On a brighter note, I thought Knockaert looked as close to his old self as he has done anytime this season. Quality in possession practically every time and bust a gut whenever we lost it.

[phonics]

I saw a hilarious video of Propper throwing someone to the ground and then doing an awful tackle from behind within about 15 seconds. I would have sent him off for two bookings.

[Raoul Duke]

Flanaghan the Liverpool defender has admitted a cheeky bit of assault on his missus for some Xmas bantz.

Time for Judge Kenny D to fire up the t-shirt printer and sort this shit out.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If he's admitted it, she must be a Hillsborough survivor or related to Bradley Lowery. Either that or Kenny's witness box skills have deteriorated along with his liver.

[Spoonsky]

Jon Flanagan still plays for Liverpool? :cab:

How many fullbacks do they have?

[Baz]

His Missus is Eni Aluko so he’s double fucked. Not really :stamford:

[niko_cee]

Fairly shambolic linesmanning for that Spurs goal.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Southampton binman surely being fired as we speak, as Moyes and Hodgson soar above his side in the table. Come on, chairmen, I'm thirsty for blood.

[Shindig]

Would've liked West Ham and Palace to stay down there. Still, I can see two sides worse than us. Swansea and West Brom.

[niko_cee]

Southampton binman surely being fired as we speak, as Moyes and Hodgson soar above his side in the table. Come on, chairmen, I'm thirsty for blood.

What's Nigel Atkins up to these days? Shit he's at Hull. Double shit, his name is Adkins. Bring him back to complete the circle.

[Shindig]

Thy saviour's name is Pardew.

[Raoul Duke]

Southampton binman surely being fired as we speak, as Moyes and Hodgson soar above his side in the table. Come on, chairmen, I'm thirsty for blood.

This Saints guy looked like a chancer from the start.

Moyes, Woy, Fat Sam and Pardiola donning things as per usual.

[SvN]

Hodgson is absolutely donning it since he took charge.

[Giggles]

Don't Southampton have about 7 candidates picked out at all times?

[Raoul Duke]

Southampton should get Brenda back from Jockland. He's probably holding out for the Real Madrid job though.

[Lewis]

Southampton are built specifically so that binmen can coast them into ninth whilst shedding their best player every year, so I suppose that their model was always going to take a knock once every club had cash to burn and one duff transfer window can undo four good ones.

[phonics]

This Saints guy looked like a chancer from the start.

Moyes, Woy, Fat Sam and Pardiola donning things as per usual.

Pards is very much not donning it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I like to think that the mentioned quartet will at some point in the next ten years be doing a 90-date theatre tour called 'MEN FOR A CRISIS: An Evening with Four Managerial Legends' in which they regale audiences with hilarious tales of training ground derring-do and that time Pep Guardiola smirked at them. Tickets priced £75.

[Raoul Duke]

I'll wait for the book (foreword by 'Arry, ghostwritten by Henry Winter).

[Lewis]

https://s10.postimg.org/ajwh6y32h/Smash1.jpg

Never forget. Every possible detail you can find on that is somehow even more embarrassing than working for a slave state.

[Ian]

I actually saw a bit of something with them two on it one night recently and I was trying to work out whether "Keysey" has just got fat or if something peculiar has actually happened to his head.

[Raoul Duke]

"End your evening with a smash" is my usual general aim, so this aligns with my interests.

Can you just imagine the bants? Off the scale.

[Dark Soldier]

Livermore apparently smacking a West Ham fan after the fan made a joke about his dead kid.

https://twitter.com/ironswhufc66/status/948314275839467526

Vid of Livermore being led away.

[phonics]

I'll wait for the book (foreword by 'Arry, ghostwritten by Henry Winter).

I was going to correct you by saying Martin Samuel but I can't remember if he's still alive. Enough reason to post this though:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0t5gISCEAAjJ3C.jpg:large

[Giggles]

Livermore apparently smacking a West Ham fan after the fan made a joke about his dead kid.

https://twitter.com/ironswhufc66/status/948314275839467526

Vid of Livermore being led away.

If it's true then I hope he knocked the cunt out.

[John Arne]

Was their a specific reason for all the empty seats at the Etihad last night?

https://gyazo.com/e7690fa2438b8d7f53765d838ccee2bc.jpg

https://gyazo.com/9dfd0122a41d2c1889500eaf0bbe3299.jpg

[Kikó]

Coronation Street was on.

[Baz]

There’s always empty seats; that’s why people call it the Emptihad.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Midweek games always struggle for attendance. It's no surprise the CL has been wailing and gnashing its teeth for years to get games moved to weekends.

[Magic]

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/fife/573353/falkirk-say-sorry-for-abhorrent-behaviour-of-fans-as-fake-eyeballs-thrown-at-dunfermlines-dean-shiels/

:D

Scottish fans really take the biscuit when it comes to absolute cuntery.

[niko_cee]

Only two Andy Gorams etc.

Life ban territory these days.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The punishments for this stuff aren't severe enough. They need to get away from the 'ooh it's a minority' attitude and say actually no, it's on your watch and that's a 100 point deduction (or something similarly medieval).

[Giggles]

Quality work.

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/899560/Chelsea-Michael-Essien-Statue-Cristiano-Ronaldo-Premier-League-Champions-League-FA-Cup


https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/secondary/Michael-Essien-statue-1180696.jpg

[Magic]

Bizarrely I recognised it instantly before I clicked on the link.

EDIT: Jesus Christ it's fucking wax? :D

[Giggles]

Nice end to a decent year for him.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/preston-s-kevin-o-connor-collects-1m-lottery-win-1.3343203

[Boydy]

Who's winning tonight?

[Reg]

Another game without Pedro or Willian starting. That's got to feel weird for them after such a successful season.

edit- Chelsea would be my guess, Boydy.

[John]

Chambers, Holding, and Maitland Niles in the back five, with the left side consisting of the latter two. I'd put Hazard out here and let him do as he pleases, he'd have those two on toast whenever he fancied it.

[Ian]

Who's winning tonight?

Football.

[Magic]

Boring 0-0 guaranteed.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Jesus, what a miss that was.

[Giggles]

Fucking hell Morata :D

[Waffdon]

Morata is good but fuck me his finishing one on one is dreadful.

[John]

What a miss that is. Pathetic from both sides once the ball was played.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If you stop thinking of him as a sexy Spanish stud and start thinking of him as a very good old fashioned target man, he makes more sense.

Fucking hell :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

lol.

[Waffdon]

Fuck me, Courtois.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Who scouted Bakayoko and why? Might as well have Carlton Cole in midfield.

[Giggles]

Who was that Arsenal player and why, as a professional footballer, is he unable to run?

[John]

Maitland Niles looks very competent here. That'll teach me take what Phonics says as the truth.

[John]

Who scouted Bakayoko and why? Might as well have Carlton Cole in midfield.

He looked absolutely brilliant for Monaco last season. God knows what's happened this season, he looks like he's operating on a thirty second mental delay at times.

[Magic]

He looked absolutely brilliant for Monaco last season. God knows what's happened this season, he looks like he's operating on a thirty second mental delay at times.

Nothing wrong with that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He looked absolutely brilliant for Monaco last season. God knows what's happened this season, he looks like he's operating on a thirty second mental delay at times.

Was he in a free role or something? His Yaya Touré style bursts forward have had their moments (especially against Man Yoo), but everything else he does is a disaster.

[John]

Was he in a free role or something? His Yaya Touré style bursts forward have had their moments (especially against Man Yoo), but everything else he does is a disaster.

Tended to start a bit deeper than Toure would, but he was certainly a more attacking presence than he's been for Chelsea.

The thing that most stood out watching him last season was that he seemed to make the right decision at almost all times, which makes this madcap shit all the more baffling.

[phonics]

Maitland Niles looks very competent here. That'll teach me take what Phonics says as the truth.

Not sure if dig.

He's a promising central midfielder operating as a left back.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea seriously need a right wing back. Moses and his Italian counterpart is shite.

[phonics]

Tended to start a bit deeper than Toure would, but he was certainly a more attacking presence than he's been for Chelsea.

The thing that most stood out watching him last season was that he seemed to make the right decision at almost all times, which makes this madcap shit all the more baffling.

Think that makes sense actually considering Monaco were quite a free form team (from what o watched) and Conte makes micromanagement his strength.

[phonics]

It's fucking weird how since Mourinho left Chelsea always come across as the inferior side despite clearly not being it. We may lose because we're actually shit but the way these games go considering our massive inferiority complex versus United is so weird.

[Waffdon]

Hazard’s back heels at it again :drool:

He’s far too unselfish. Needs to get out of Chelsea ASAP.

[Reg]

Bakayoko seemed less box to box at Monaco to me. He was in a 4-4-2 so couldn't go forward that much. He's looked pretty dreadful each time I've seen him for Chelsea. Gets into good positions but is too clumsy. What a waste of the Fabregas pass (which was :drool:).

[phonics]

Every pass of Fabregas' does make me think we fucked up not taking him but I still hate him.

[John]

That HSBC surely trumps whatever Adidas thing Floyd was moaning about before as the worst thing ever. It's like something they filmed in anticipation of a Remain vote then decided to put out anyway.

[phonics]

That's the first time I've ever seen anyone pass out of our anti-goal kick routine and not put it out for a throw in and of course it's Kante. I'd thought he's been quite poor prior to that but maybe we're just bypassing him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The Moses/Crappacosta sub is always terrible no matter which way round it is.

[phonics]

Jack Wilshere is bae. Learn it. Live it.

[Waffdon]

Morata just can’t finish one on ones.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What was the gobshite Neville on about for that penalty shout? He kicked him.

[phonics]

That Hazard backheel to Zappcosta is sex.

[John]

That little flick from Hazard was a thing of real beauty.

[Mike]

“On the edge of being good”
High praise indeed from Gary.

[Boydy]

That HSBC surely trumps whatever Adidas thing Floyd was moaning about before as the worst thing ever. It's like something they filmed in anticipation of a Remain vote then decided to put out anyway.

Did you see that 'Crimbo limbo' one from Nationwide (I think). :sick:

[Waffdon]

Conte’s lack of faith in Hazard is mind boggling. He must substitute him in every game.

[Lewis]

The one thing I've taken from adverts over the past month or so is that I'm the only person in the country with two white parents.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Conte’s lack of faith in Hazard is mind boggling. He must substitute him in every game.

Probably because he gets kicked 50 times a game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fucking hell, Morata has been so shit.

Crappacosta almost broke the bar with that effort.