[FOOTBALL] Weekend Fixtures - FA Cup 4th Round ft Man Utd's trip to Yeovil, 26-28 Jan

[Reg]

15:00 unless stated.

Friday
Sheffield Wednesday v Reading - 19:45
Yeovil Town v Manchester United - 19:55, BBC One

Saturday
Peterborough United v Leicester City - 12:30, BT Sport 2
Huddersfield Town v Birmingham City
Notts County v Swansea City
Milton Keynes Dons v Coventry City
Millwall v Rochdale AFC
Southampton v Watford
Middlesbrough v Brighton & Hove Albion
Wigan Athletic v West Ham United
Hull City v Nottingham Forest
Sheffield United v Preston North End
Newport County AFC v Tottenham Hotspur - 17:30, BT Sport 2
Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion - 19:45, BT Sport 2

Sunday
Chelsea v Newcastle United - 13:30, BT Sport 2
Cardiff City v Manchester City - 16:00, BBC One

Other live fixtures: http://www.live-footballontv.com

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Took you long enough.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lee Johnson, Bristol City manager who is there for some reason, is fucking tiny.

[Reg]

You can do some threads yourself, you know. I won't storm off.

[Baz]

Ameobi and Jon Stead up top for Newport? :eek:

[Pleb]

I just realised that Michael Carrick is still alive.

How the fuck did that happen?

[Pleb]

Well that was a meltdown.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

lol.

Fair play to Rashford for not giving up on it.

[Raoul Duke]

Darmian is bobbins. He's just not a modern, driving/attacking fullback

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why did we buy Sanchez?

Messi Lingard is all we need.

[randomlegend]

Angel Gomes will be a superstar, you can quote me on that.

I'll be right just like I was about Lingard being good despite being a late bloomer.

[Lewis]

Martin Keown seething for ninety minutes was more fun than the match.

'Alexis'. :cool:

[Andy]

Lukaku with the 4th goal in a 4-0 win. Loves a bit of stat padding.

[Lewis]

He was trying to control it as well.

[Baz]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2015/02/10/2577B07C00000578-0-image-a-24_1423603388145.jpg

https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2244550.main_image.jpg?strip=all

:arry:

[John]

That is not new information.

[Danny]

Welcome to about 4 years ago.

[Danny]

Lukaku with the 4th goal in a 4-0 win. Loves a bit of stat padding.

Kind of hard for him to get the first two from the bench to be fair

[Baz]

New to me. Soz mates.

[Giggles]

I must have missed 4 years ago because I've no idea who those kids are or what the link is other than they look alike.

[John]

It's Harry Kane.

[Giggles]

I couldn't see it at all. I've only just noticed that the top picture isn't current too.

[Kikó]

Outrageous.

[Disco]

How dare he support a team then not play for just that team.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If I were a Spurs fan I'd feel betrayed. Seething with rage, in fact. Kane out.

[SincereTheRebel]

Didnt he play for the arsenal under 8s or something. He would have turned out like david bentley or wilshere if he came all the way through anyway.

[Baz]

But they bloody love that he’s one of [their] own so so much.

[Shindig]

Kazenga Lua Lua's a mackem now. Cut off Lomana's foot and mail it to the TRAITOR. Or, I dunno, wish him luck.

[Giggles]

How long are the BBC doing 'token black woman' on Football Focus? They're still missing an Asian though, complaints will be flooding in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

She is awful, just says things like 'Great goal and he'll be chuffed with that.'

I went to see Peterborough earlier this year and you could have driven a herd of sheep through their back three, looks like nothing has changed.

[Boydy]

The fucking state of West Ham.

[wullie]

I'd better start looking for train prices to Wembley in May.

[CJay]

The radio had Masuaku spitting at Nick Powell after ‘an argument over a throw in’. How thick can you be? :cab:

[John Arne]

Vietnam played in probably there biggest ever game today... Got beat by Uzbekistan in the AFC U23 final... 119th minute goal.

The fans were out in their numbers....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0QKN9iO3PQ&t

http://img.f50.bdpcdn.net/Assets/Media/2018/01/27/56/my-dinh.jpg

https://gyazo.com/3eb420b381c50e10a42192bb71b533a3.jpg

https://gyazo.com/0bc20a26f732008836ae30192c3aa2be.jpg

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The fucking state of West Ham.

Their defence was terrified, mate.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think my local park has a better pitch than this.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Good to see Frank Nouble is still shit.

[Reg]

That looks great, John Arne. Are those your photos? If so, how was it?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Deserved, Newport by far the better team up until now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I actually have £5 on Newport to win, £5 on the draw, £5 on Newport & BTTS and £5 on Newport first goal.

I'm in profit either way now.

[Baz]

7 goals away from £20k. The magic of the FA Cup was alive and kicking in my house this afternoon. :drool:

[Giggles]

I never knew that's where Amond ended up.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I actually have £5 on Newport to win, £5 on the draw, £5 on Newport & BTTS and £5 on Newport first goal.

I'm in profit either way now.

I did a fucking big lay of Spurs any other (i.e. Spurs to win and score 4+) when I saw the pitch, oddly the Newport goal actually shrunk the odds for that a bit.

[Shindig]

I hate weekends like this. It gives me hope.

[Gray Fox]

That's a cracking finish from Rodriguez, but lol at that 2 minutes.

[Gray Fox]

VAR has just saved Liverpool from an embarrassment.

[Magic]

What a mental game. :D

[Gray Fox]

Now it's going off. VAR penalty to Liverpool after the Ref gave nothing.

[Guybrush]

And of course we miss it.

[Giggles]

Why do BT get all the FA Cup games now? Was there one on BBC today at all?

[Foe]

They're making a mess of this VAR stuff.

There's also going to be a lot of going to the ground in the box under any contact if they use it like that. The penalty box will essentially become a non-contact area.

[Gray Fox]

Even though VAR got both right(eventually) it wont work in its current format. It's taking too long for the casual fan.

It should however get rid of shirt pulling at corners and diving(so long as you start punishing those caught out).

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Players should get a yellow if they do a VAR sign.

[Danny]

Players should get a yellow if they do a VAR sign.

I think they do in Italy now.

Also lol at this in skys live text

“The near five minute break to decide on the two VAR decisions probably didn't help Gibbs' fragile hamstrings...”

If his hamstrings are that fragile he should know to keep moving/stretching shouldn’t he?

[Foe]

Even though VAR got both right(eventually) it wont work in its current format. It's taking too long for the casual fan.

It should however get rid of shirt pulling at corners and diving(so long as you start punishing those caught out).

Really? You think that salah fall was natural? Looked like the slightest touch and air sniper attack. I'd argue the teams will coach their players (attackers anyway) to go down under any contact whatsoever in the box if they're going to bring VAR in like that. I'd be shocked if we didn't see a similar incident in the second half as West Brom try to get the ref to balance it out.

VAR should be used to correct a clear and obvious error as per in the NFL. Otherwise we'll end up with 8 or 10 reviews a game drastically changing the flow of the game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Really? You think that salah fall was natural? Looked like the slightest touch and air sniper attack. I'd argue the teams will coach their players (attackers anyway) to go down under any contact whatsoever in the box if they're going to bring VAR in like that. I'd be shocked if we didn't see a similar incident in the second half as West Brom try to get the ref to balance it out.

VAR should be used to correct a clear and obvious error as per in the NFL. Otherwise we'll end up with 8 or 10 reviews a game drastically changing the flow of the game.

But they don't do that in the NFL now. When the refs can look at things without a coach challenge they're at it constantly which is bullshit as most of the stuff doesn't have enough evidence to overturn. It results in a break in which the outcome will always go with what the refs decided on the pitch.

[Magic]

Doesn't matter how he reacts his shirt was pulled.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

lol at Liverpool.

Were the fans actually chanting for VAR? :harold:

[CJay]

Why was he checking that one? It wasn’t even close to offside. Trust your linesman.

Penalty call was right. Good entertainment, but ridiculously slow.

[Gray Fox]

Really? You think that salah fall was natural? Looked like the slightest touch and air sniper attack. I'd argue the teams will coach their players (attackers anyway) to go down under any contact whatsoever in the box if they're going to bring VAR in like that. I'd be shocked if we didn't see a similar incident in the second half as West Brom try to get the ref to balance it out.

VAR should be used to correct a clear and obvious error as per in the NFL. Otherwise we'll end up with 8 or 10 reviews a game drastically changing the flow of the game.

Everything inside a 2 minute warning, all scoring play and all coaches challenges are reviewed in the NFL. Maybe moving to a system in which you only get 3 challenges per game would help.

By the laws of the game Salah was fouled. You may not agree with all players going down like that, but they do anyway, so maybe stop coaching them to put their arms on people instead.

People wanted VAR but complain it will affect the flow of the game. Would you rather have a fast flowing game where the referee makes an error and costs a side points(which equate to millions of pounds, promotion, relegation or title wins), or one that's stop-start with the correct decisions made?

[Foe]

Doesn't matter how he reacts his shirt was pulled.

If I was pardew, I'd be telling every single one of my players to go down when attacking corners if the opposition has so much as a touch of my jersey after that penalty decision.

I'm a neutral here, I don't care who wins this.

Ref is already doubting himself and the officials and leaning on the VAR which is fine if it takes the 15 seconds it should to confirm that goal. What the fuck took them a good minute or two there I have no idea.

[CJay]

Yeah, I don't know how the ref's aren't going to end up just using it whenever they're unsure of anything. I mean there are probably quite a few of those shirt pulling incidents in every game - some where it is a definite foul, some where the player genuinely dives, and some where it's just a coming together.

[CJay]

Also - I'd love to know the average number of saves our goalkeepers make per match. It seems like we concede from nearly every shot on target.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Did the ref really request a VAR there? If so, just sack him now.

[Foe]

Yeah, I don't know how the ref's aren't going to end up just using it whenever they're unsure of anything. I mean there are probably quite a few of those shirt pulling incidents in every game - some where it is a definite foul, some where the player genuinely dives, and some where it's just a coming together.

I think the problem is going to be that the "letter of the law" is going to point towards a penalty for incidents like that salah one and many barging/pulling in the box, so players have motivation to go down now if there's any contact whatsoever. They won't be booked for diving if there's contact and by the latter of the law it should be a pen.

It's a can of fucking worms that's about to be opened.

[niko_cee]

Also - I'd love to know the average number of saves our goalkeepers make per match. It seems like we concede from nearly every shot on target.

:D

I was going to post the exact same thing. It's ridiculous. Really upped the ante earlier when it was 3 conceded from 2 shots against.

[niko_cee]

Also, that's Firmino hit the post and the bar from penalties this season. That's some going.

[Gray Fox]

Just what you want to see when 2-0 down. Henderson and Milner coming on.

[Jimmy Floyd]

TV absolutely love VAR don't they, turns the actual game into a TV-controlled event. They will demand its inclusion in all football immediately at the end of the season.

Should have none of it and whilst we're at it, let's bin off the goal line technology as well.

[Reg]

Sky are going to love it - love it - if it becomes part of the Premier League. It's the perfect ingredient to fluff out their "The Debate" programmes and such.

[Spikey M]

Why do BT get all the FA Cup games now? Was there one on BBC today at all?

You shouldn’t be leaching off my licence fee anyway, you mook.

[Giggles]

All above board.

[Lewis]

If they don't get top four Liverpool should find a new manager.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

GenuineCraftyAmurminnow

[Jimmy Floyd]

If they don't get top four Liverpool should find a new manager.

I like him, but that'll never happen - they're too invested in him now. You know what they're like.

The only way they're getting out of it is if Brian Munich or one of the Spanish pair come in for him. Or the German national team.

[Lewis]

He's the worst tactician in the top six (top half?), and a stupid German twat.

[Magic]

VAR. :drool:

[Giggles]

VAR is an enormous pile of shit. I'm with Jimmy.

[Kikó]

Just noticed Liverpool lost :harold:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11679/11224013/pep-guardiola-says-he-has-been-restrained-by-manchester-citys-budget

Poor Pep, must be hard having such a tight budget.

[John Arne]

That looks great, @<a href="http://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/member.php?u=30" target="_blank">John Arne</a>. Are those your photos? If so, how was it?

The last two are my photo's are mine, I was in the crowd for the top video. It was great, but kinda bizarre. It was more a celebration of patriotism, rather than "real" football fans. There wasn't much singing or chanting going on - the most subdued mass crowd I've been in.

It got more raucous after the game when, despite the loss, the fans engaged in the now traditional post match 'đi bão' or 'storm', when every jumps on a bike and creates traffic chaos. When I say everyone, I mean about 400,000 people. It's fun, but annoying.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67iN_cA9izM

[Jimmy Floyd]

The idea of continentals like Pep lecturing us on how to run a cup competition is laughable. The Copa del Rey is two legs all the way through, and the Coppa Italia is one of the crappest competitions going.

[Shindig]

The only one that does it right is the Coupe the France.

[Adramelch]

The only one that does it right is the Coupe the France.

"Prior to 1967, the competition had no extra time nor penalty shootouts and instead allowed replays, similar to the FA Cup. This style was abandoned following three straight draws between Olympique Lyonnais and amateur club Angoulême CFC, which resulted in the federation flipping a coin to decide which club advanced."

It was a semi-final as well. :D

[phonics]

Liverpool won a CHampions League quarter on the same thing didn't they? They flipped the coin and the pitch was so muddy it landed on it's edge.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We've had a lot more than three in the FA Cup back in the day. Pretty sure there have been ties get to a 5th match.

[Giggles]

Definitely need to follow suit in England with having no replays. There's no point in day dreaming about 'magic' etc when that's long gone and won't be got back.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The Copa del Rey winners play 9 games guaranteed, FA Cup winners would play 9 if every possible game went to a replay. Pep is clueless.

[Shindig]

Definitely need to follow suit in England with having no replays. There's no point in day dreaming about 'magic' etc when that's long gone and won't be got back.

It's another payday for smaller clubs. And, because the replay is final, you can really make it an event. Moreso than the original tie.

Actually, if Spurs make the final, can someone kick up a fuss about their being no neutral venue?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Batshuayi is so shit and yet seems to score a lot of open goals and deflections.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's an excellent penalty box poacher. Has no other qualities though.

[Samadini]

Haidara making Zappacosta look like a once in a generation superstar.

Newcastle barely have any good players at all, but it's better than in the past where you'd be fuming at good players just jogging around looking moody and dreaming of other clubs. Benitez's squad clearly gives a fuck a tries hard, they're just properly rubbish.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Haidara making Zappacosta look like a once in a generation superstar.

Newcastle barely have any good players at all, but it's better than in the past where you'd be fuming at good players just jogging around looking moody and dreaming of other clubs. Benitez's squad clearly gives a fuck a tries hard, they're just properly rubbish.

What you need more than anything in the world is two or three decent locals to come through the system, one of whom has a bit of magic in their feet. Get some feel good around. The current squad is like the Sports Direct sale rail.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Owing to not having BT I've currently got Ross County v Rangers on silent with Chelsea on the radio. Rangers are like a mid-table Championship team, but Ross County I genuinely don't think would be in any of the English professional divisions. They're more like a committed top end of the Conference sort of outfit.

[Samadini]

That isn't happening anytime soon, Lewis Gibson (local boy, fan of the club) just left for Everton because the youth setup is horrendous. Then you've got Beardsley bullying the u23s squad. The club is completely rotten.

[Gray Fox]

Liverpool won a CHampions League quarter on the same thing didn't they? They flipped the coin and the pitch was so muddy it landed on it's edge.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/182336-50-years-on-coin-toss-downs-cologne

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was nice by De Bruyne.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lawro handling that Jonathan Pearce-esque situation like a true pro.

'Quelle surprise.'

[Reg]

Coutinho making his first start for Barcelona tonight. They've got a midfield/attack of Paulinho, Rakitic, Iniesta, Coutinho, Messi, Suarez. Pretty attacking. Then again it's Alaves so they could probably squeeze a couple more strikers in there.

[niko_cee]

Barcelolna are ridiculously open to being countered. Alaves probably should have had at least another, although Big Fat John was quite lucky he shanked that one in the way he did.

The cliff edge they're going to experience when Messi stops scoring 50 a season is going to make Madrid's current travails in the absence Ronaldo bailing them out with goals every game look like a minor inconvenience.

[Lewis]

I had Messi down as the eventual Iniesta replacement, but Neymar being a tosser has probably sunk that since nobody else can really take that sort of burden on.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Those of us old enough to remember Abelardo and Michael Reiziger knocking it up to Kluivert for flick ons are going to have a great time.

[Raoul Duke]

Sounds like Coutinho has been bobbins.

[Lewis]

Those of us old enough to remember Abelardo and Michael Reiziger knocking it up to Kluivert for flick ons are going to have a great time.

Raddy Antic's CV perfectly encapsulates Spanish football minus its current thin veneer of professionalism. It's not just who he managed (most notably Atletico three times under that headcase), but who was sacked to make way for him, and who he was sacked to be replaced by. It's like a who's who of mismanagement.

[Jimmy Floyd]

John Toshack continually getting jobs for no discernible reason, including two stints at Real Madrid, was another example.

The turning point in Spanish football was Figo going across from Barcelona to Real Madrid. That started a sort of arms race that is still going on now.

[Spoonsky]

Guidetti's finish was quite funny.

Early days yet but Coutinho was pretty invisible.

[phonics]

I've just seen that challenge on Sane from the Cardiff match. Absolutely mental.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUpIWbPWAAAp4-v.jpg:large

Yellow card. But some West Ham player will get a 6 game ban for spitting at someone.

[Giggles]

I wonder will be get more than the 6 games Masuaku just got? Ridiculous.

[phonics]

Yellow card mate. Can't touch him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I like how Sir Henry Winter has spun it into 'We must listen to Pep Guardiola!' as if everyone with eyes doesn't think that was a red. Never a chance missed to imbibe Catalan sperm.

[phonics]

I don't follow him on Twitter. I imagine he cried the day he got 280 on Twitter. The man takes 21 words to explain 3.

[Kikó]

Nasty tackle that. The yellow card rule is absolute nonsense and is always proven to be in cases like this.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Given that it was both dangerous and cynical, I'd impose something like a 35 match ban. That will stop them doing it.