Feb '19 football: Sponsored by Ole Gunnar Binman

[Ian]

This monthly football thread thing makes posting this much easier because there's no point bothering with fixture lists. Instead, I will add an important poll.

[Manc]

dwllll

[Ian]

Pepe believes. :drool:

[Boydy]

Premier League fixtures for the weekend:

Saturday 2nd Februrary
12:30 Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United
15:00 Brighton & Hove Albion v Watford
15:00 Burnley v Southampton
15:00 Chelsea vHuddersfield Town
15:00 Crystal Palace v Fulham
15:00 Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers
17:30 Cardiff City v AFC Bournemouth

Sunday 3rd February
14:05 Leicester City v Manchester United
16:30 Manchester City v Arsenal

Monday 4th February
20:00 West Ham United v Liverpool

[Boydy]

I think PSG will beat United but I hope it's Liverpool.

[John Arne]

Qatar 2-0 against Japan in the AFC cup final. 33 mins gone.

[Pleb]

This monthly football thread thing makes posting this much easier because there's no point bothering with fixture lists. Instead, I will add an important poll.
I hope it's NEVAR but Man Citeh or Liverlol will spoil it more than likely.

[Pepe]

Pepe believes. :drool:

As long as Fellainimania is around there is nothing to fear. All that was needed is for a manager that allows him to express himself on the pitch.

[Mellberg]

Qatar 2-0 against Japan in the AFC cup final. 33 mins gone.

Who gives a flying one. Probably rigged.

[Pleb]

As long as Fellainimania is around there is nothing to fear. All that was needed is for a manager that allows him to express himself on the pitch.
Urm mate, he's gone to China.

[Ian]

He'll still be with us in spirit.

Fellainimania will never die.

[Pepe]

Urm mate, he's gone to China.

China? Lol. I didn't know that.


He'll still be with us in spirit.

Fellainimania will never die.

That's what I meant, of course.

[Waffdon]

The greatest month of the year.

[Pleb]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47092385

Fuck me.

[Shindig]

He'll still be with us in spirit.

Fellainimania will never die.

Every time they're down a goal, they'll take someone off, replace them with nothing and go on to win 2-1. He is all around.

[Ian]

Exactly. He's more spiritual force of nature than mere physical being.

[Kikó]

This is where Ole becomes found out and blanc takes over.

[Jimmy Floyd]

How many binmen would you have to go through before Gary Neville got the job? Would manc sean get it before him?

[Lewis]

'Anyone who thinks knowing the club is about knowing the club knows nothing about knowing the club.'
*quadruple*

[Kikó]

"Fuck those scouts off going anywhere but scandinavia."

He's in Portsmouth these days if you want to update your filofax Lewis.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Southern ponce.

[Lewis]

Get yourself down this summer we'll take a few moody little gaffs.

[Spikey M]

State of that new Avatar Monghow. I bet you still have Man Utd bed sheets.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

State of that new Avatar Monghow. I bet you still have Man Utd bed sheets.

If the thread count on them was at least 800 I would.

[niko_cee]

Brighton could do with a win today. The relegation zone is starting to feel a bit less distant than it did a few weeks ago.

[Shindig]

Spurs are showing some proper resilience of late. Shame it counted against us today. :(

[John]

Marek Hamsik off to China now too. Guaranteed he's in a Hanfu selling a brand of noodles on TV by the summer. They won't be able to resist that hairdo.

[Ian]

Marek Hamsik off to China now too. Guaranteed he's in a Hanfu selling a brand of noodles on TV by the summer. They won't be able to resist that hairdo.

Somehow the least surprising of those moves, but probably just because I'm elderly at heart and judge the hairdo.

[Reg]

Brighton could do with a win today. The relegation zone is starting to feel a bit less distant than it did a few weeks ago.
I've felt really comfortable for basically the entire season so far, but now it's just 5 points I'm starting to feel a little uneasy, particularly with the clubs below all showing some promise.

Watched Barcelona v Valencia on demand. Very good game. I think Man City and Liverpool might be better teams than Barca this season.

[Queenslander]

Qatar 2-0 against Japan in the AFC cup final. 33 mins gone.

:vomit:

[John]

Lovely run and finish for Higuain's first, and the second was a peach. I wonder if he's managed to batter the doctors or it's just a case of Huddersfield being bobbins.

[niko_cee]

I've felt really comfortable for basically the entire season so far, but now it's just 5 points I'm starting to feel a little uneasy, particularly with the clubs below all showing some promise.


I think the positive is there must be quite a few winnable home games to come. Off the top of my head, Huddersfield, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Newcastle (?), Burnley (?) - probably just need a couple more wins, but it'd be nice to get them in the bag sooner rather than later.

[Reg]

I think the positive is there must be quite a few winnable home games to come. Off the top of my head, Huddersfield, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Newcastle (?), Burnley (?) - probably just need a couple more wins, but it'd be nice to get them in the bag sooner rather than later.
Yep, all them to come plus Southampton. In fact, February, March and April are about as kind as it can get. We really should be staying up from here.

Great line of MOTD commentary on the Everton-Wolves game last night: "Inside the last twenty minutes, plus stoppage time for the entrance of the cat to be added."

[bruhnaldo]

"bruhnaldo, Lewis, Pepe, randomlegend, Shindig, Sir Andy Mahowry" with the right vote.

Best poster alive shortlist there.

[Lewis]

That pass was a bit good.

[randomlegend]

Pogba is fucking incredible.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I might email Puel to ask where he got his V-neck, it's rather swish.

[SincereTheRebel]

Im accusing Pogba of deliberately sabotaging his own performances under Jose

[SincereTheRebel]

and subsequently influencing the rest of the Manchester United players as the H.N.I.C. Which resulted in Jose losing his job.

[randomlegend]

No, Jose's tactics were just stifling shite. Even under Mourinho Pogba was our best outfield player.

[bruhnaldo]

It was a little bit of both imho.

Also DJ Ash keeping the whole continent onsides on that free kick almost resulted in fucking disaster.

[Lewis]

Ashley fucking Done mate. If he is there for his defensive side then Chris Smalling used to do shifts there in the early days.

[Jimmy Floyd]

United have been atrocious today but Leicester are playing against the badge so it's an easy win.

[bruhnaldo]

Screaming out for an equalizer come on United sort your shit out ffs

[bruhnaldo]

As soon as I finish hitting "post quick reply" here comes fuckin Calamity Jones.

[Waffdon]

Lukaku has been a disgrace

[Jimmy Floyd]

Screaming out for an equalizer come on United sort your shit out ffs

Not a chance, they've shat themselves anywhere near the box for the full 90.

Pogba is such a weird player, for 90% of that game he was lazy and weak, but he does 3 brilliant things including the pass for the goal (assists do not exist) and he's probably man of the match.

[Browning]

I only saw the last half hour but United looked properly shite and I’m not sure how Leicester didn’t score at least one.

[Lewis]

I love the idea of Mike Dean saving his hundredth red card for a bigger ground/occasion.

[bruhnaldo]

After he got that knock Pogba really just fucked the game off entirely lol

[bruhnaldo]

Matic getting his studs into someone's thigh and not getting a 2nd yellow was exciting.

[randomlegend]

Everyone was overselling the shit out of that 'tackle', he barely touched him.

[SincereTheRebel]

Every time I watch Arsenal play, they use a different formation.

[phonics]

I'm predicting an absolute hammering for Arsenal. Fully prepped to turn off 20 minutes in.

[Mike]

Bloody Arsenal.

[phonics]

I'm predicting an absolute hammering for Arsenal. Fully prepped to turn off 20 minutes in.

lol

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Arsenal are tragic thankfully.

[bruhnaldo]

lol welp

[Mike]

Good old Arsenal

[Waffdon]

Everyone was overselling the shit out of that 'tackle', he barely touched him.

I’m utterly shocked it’s you that’s typed this.

[Gray Fox]

City should still win this 5-1, but good to see Arsenal tried.

[randomlegend]

I’m utterly shocked it’s you that’s typed this.

I mean firstly, I'll always say if one of our players should be sent off which you can clearly see in my post history.

Secondly, I don't know why you've decided to take up a role as my weird stalker in the football threads lately.

[Mike]

Bloody Arsenal!

[bruhnaldo]

randomlegend I just feel like if you get studs into a thigh that's probably a yellow regardless of impact but what do I really know

[Jimmy Floyd]

Good to see Arsenal doing their patriotic duty here and I hope we'll follow suit next weekend.

[Kikó]

Into 5th with a grinding performance. Good result considering we were pretty lax throughout.

Benfica 3-1 up away at Sporting as well. Young lad João Felix looks a talent.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47111521

Ince is seething that he wasn't given the job.

[Shindig]

I can't imagine Paul Ince being taken seriously in any dressing room. Even the MoTD one. He just has an awful voice.

[Disco]

I have managed in the Premier League and all four English professional divisions


Yeah, in descending order.

[Kikó]

He's such a knob.

[Mike]

Oh Mane Mane.

[Gray Fox]

That's a joke of a decision from the Lino.

[Pleb]

I feel/fear that VAR is/was needed a few seasons ago.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Declan Rice is a knob.

I've got £5 on West Ham to win and £5 on Felipe Anderson to score.

[randomlegend]

If Liverpool throw the league again it will be absolutely glorious.

[Giggles]

Declan Rice is a knob.

I've got £5 on West Ham to win and £5 on Felipe Anderson to score.

I've no idea what's happening but I just wanted to agree that yes he is.

[Gray Fox]

Good to see us starting the bottlejob early in order to avoid hopes being properly raised.

If any form of defending from set-pieces could happen, that'd be great.

[Manc]

That lino has had a stroke.

Shaqiri to grab the winner.

[Mike]

If we don’t win tonight I think the title is going back to City come the end of the season.

[Mazuuurk]

First of all, they already have the title. And, err, whoever does get it usually does so at the end of the season.

So.

[Manc]

Klopp hasn't got the metal. How badly did Bayern bottle it the year he won das bundesliga?

[Waffdon]

Liverpool and their lol decisions going their way.

The bottle job is fully underway.

[Gray Fox]

He won it twice, once he was ahead at the winter break, the other he was behind.

It wont matter though, I think this has been Citys title since Stones stopped the ball crossing the line.

[Giggles]

If those fuckwads had only beaten Newcastle.

[Mazuuurk]

The thing is, at this point - with CL kicking off again soon - it feels like all the top City players have had about half the games that the Liverpool ones have.

[Manc]

Keita riles me up. How many men did he beat in that last 15 minutes. Looked bobbins for the first hour. I wonder if Firmino dropping deep is ruining his career.

[Byron]

I like to think we did our patriotic duty out there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You sure did. I hope our boys are using their clear midweek for a five day bender. Sarri brings the fags, Alonso drives the bus, I want them absolutely bladdered right up until Sunday.

[SincereTheRebel]

Hazard is up to his old tricks again. Incoming press conferance announcing another press conferance where he reveals all.

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/11628814/eden-hazard-claims-to-have-made-decision-on-future

[John Arne]

https://gyazo.com/77ec00d24ed0a42da07bceeec71b16d7.gif

[Giggles]

Fucking state.

1092544251362197506

[Shindig]

There's no way around it. He looks like a clown.

[Lewis]

How have I only just discovered that Richard Keys has a blog (https://richardajkeys.com/index.php/blog)? Most of it has a definite whiff of this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NKK8psN9_8), but his latest entry, defending Graeme Souness being all confused at that woman complicating matters, contains what must be one of the all-time great asides:


It isn’t about 4-2-3-1’s. 4-4-2’s. 4-3-3’s. 4-1-2-3’s. My goodness, listening to today’s modern co-comms makes my head hurt. Within 3 minutes of a game starting they’re explaining game plans, telling us what’s going wrong - who’s ‘isolated’ and why. It’s nonsense. I’m forever grateful that I live and work in a part of the world where I can enjoy listening to the excellent Andy Townsend and Jim Beglin. They’re both quality - keeping things simple.

Before I go on, let’s get all the abuse out of the way from the keyboard cowards - who aren’t going to like much else in this column. ‘W****r’. ‘Sexist’. ‘Hairy prick’. ‘Adulterer’. And ‘disgraced’ - that one is especially for my friends at the Daily Mail. There we are. Done. Now maybe we can have a sensible debate.

That’s the thing about football - it inspires debate. We all have an opinion. We’re all allowed to have an opinion. There’s nothing better than listening to a ‘debate’ about football - or in my case - steering one. I’m so lucky that I’ve done it for an awful long time now.

Okay mate.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Brent would have cleared off for the Sand Nazi dollar as well, I bet.

[Spikey M]

Fucking state.

1092544251362197506

:lol:

[Lewis]

Brent would have cleared off for the Sand Nazi dollar as well, I bet.

You mean the 'mighty atom that dared to dream'.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's genuinely mystifying to me why those places don't get the same rep as Saudi Arabia. Golf shat its moral pants about playing in Saudi last week, but their tour is literally named after Dubai.

[Lewis]

They all make enough noises about reform to make people feel better about it.

[phonics]

It's genuinely mystifying to me why those places don't get the same rep as Saudi Arabia. Golf shat its moral pants about playing in Saudi last week, but their tour is literally named after Dubai.

Dubai was smart enough to not have Islamic law apply to foreigners and advertised it as a tourist destination. It can't be an anti-humanitarian nightmare if my bird can have her hair out and a G+T.

[John Arne]

I've never been to Saudi but I was in Abu Dhabi last month and it felt like any other "normal" modern city. Women walking around shopping, kids fucking about etc. I'm sure it's not great for some women living there, but from what I observed, it looked pretty relaxed.
Edit: to clarify, that doesn't excuse the shit that goes on there, just that they manage to paint a public appearance.

[phonics]

Sounds like my post nailed it.

[John Arne]

More or less. Though there were also local lasses with there hair out, for what it's worth.

And they were fit.

[Queenslander]

UEFA should invite a couple of Arab nations to play at European Championships.

[phonics]

UEFA should invite a couple of Arab nations to play at European Championships.

They already do. Israel, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

[Queenslander]

They already do. Israel and Azerbaijan.

I obviously mean of the Brown kind. Just kick Israel out for a tournment.

[phonics]

You're really shit at being edgy.

[Queenslander]

You're really shit at being edgy.

Im just Australian I dont care about that part of the world.

[Manc]

Now that reddit has self imploded, where does one go for streams?

[phonics]

Now that reddit has self imploded, where does one go for streams?

Do you know discord?

If so: https://discord.gg/TqC5RsS and then all the match threads are there.

[Boydy]

https://www.footybite.com/

Saw this on twitter. Not tried it yet.

[Mike]

Yeah the guys behind the reddit streams page have a discord. They’d been pushing it for a while so must have known the end was coming.

[Manc]

Beautiful.

[John]

All three versions of Alfredo Morelos on full display tonight. The absolute pest who won't ever give a defender a single moment's peace and who will tuck away the most difficult chance you could possibly give him, the frustrating whopper who'll miss the four easiest chances you could possibly give him, and the petulant lunatic who's liable to get sent off every time he gets within five yards of an opposition player.

[Pen]

I take it he still hasn’t made a”breakthrough” in the SPL? Shame if so as he looked like a player that could become great (relatively speaking of course) when at HJK.

[Pen]

I guess 1 in 2 isn’t that bad though for a young striker in the SPL even though Rangers are the second best now.

[John]

I take it he still hasn’t made a”breakthrough” in the SPL? Shame if so as he looked like a player that could become great (relatively speaking of course) when at HJK.

He absolutely has. He was the second top goalscorer in the league last season and is currently the top scorer this season. He's a brilliant player when he's on form, he's just very partial to kicking people and has an infuriating habit of scoring from the unlikeliest of positions then making a complete arse of things when he gets a proper clean cut chance.

Look up the highlights of tonight's Aberdeen vs Rangers game and you'll see the lot.

[Pen]

Good to hear he’s doing well then. Do you think he’s close to getting a move to a bigger league?

[John]

Good to hear he’s doing well then. Do you think he’s close to getting a move to a bigger league?

At his best he's a Premiership level player right now, but I can't see anyone taking him for the sort of fee we'd be looking for until he learns how to control himself. His aggression is what allows him to single handedly bully entire defences at times so you couldn't remove it from his game entirely, but he needs to stop kicking out at and stamping on people before he's ready to move up a level. He's too big a risk at the moment, but if he can control that side of his game he'll go very far indeed.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That second goal was nice.

I went from 0/3 bets coming in to 2/3.

Had City to score in each half and to have 2 or more corners in each half, City to win 2-0 or 3-0 and Aguero to score twice.

[Pen]

At his best he's a Premiership level player right now, but I can't see anyone taking him for the sort of fee we'd be looking for until he learns how to control himself. His aggression is what allows him to single handedly bully entire defences at times so you couldn't remove it from his game entirely, but he needs to stop kicking out at and stamping on people before he's ready to move up a level. He's too big a risk at the moment, but if he can control that side of his game he'll go very far indeed.

Thanks 👍

Would be good to see him in the Prem at some point.

[Raoul Duke]

Anyone but Liverpool :drool:

[Adamski]

At his best he's a Premiership level player right now, but I can't see anyone taking him for the sort of fee we'd be looking for until he learns how to control himself. His aggression is what allows him to single handedly bully entire defences at times so you couldn't remove it from his game entirely, but he needs to stop kicking out at and stamping on people before he's ready to move up a level. He's too big a risk at the moment, but if he can control that side of his game he'll go very far indeed.

He'll go in the summer, Pen and for £12-£15m I'd say. He was terrific again last night before the red card incident around 55 minutes. That second goal is a thing of beauty, never thought he was capable of a finish like that.

He's like a mini-Suarez, barrelling through defenders and a constant nuisance. Just probably missing that extra yard of pace & a better finish.

I wouldn't be surprised if we appeal his red card either, John. His 'stamp' on Ralston in the OF game was worse and he wasn't booked or cited for that so precedent has been set. Also, if we appeal he's available on Saturday which is a huge game.

[niko_cee]

I'm not going to call him conspiratorial, but I was talking to a scouser last night and he was pondering (going on about) why Chelsea weren't playing last night? Is there a reason they haven't caught up on the game they are going to miss due to the League Cup Final?

[thommo]

Surely he'd be pleased at that fact, as it gives them 8 days to rest and prepare for City this weekend?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not going to call him conspiratorial, but I was talking to a scouser last night and he was pondering (going on about) why Chelsea weren't playing last night? Is there a reason they haven't caught up on the game they are going to miss due to the League Cup Final?

Our game in question was against Brighton, who were in an FA Cup replay last night.

[niko_cee]

It was more just a genuine question. I thought maybe there was a European angle, but Chelsea are still in the UEFA Cup, and they are in the FA Cup, so I couldn't work out why they wouldn't also be catching up on a game in advance. Particularity since once the Champions League fires up again it is very hard to find midweek days you are 'allowed' to play top flight games on. Are replays gone from the 5th round of the FA Cup?

Ah, I see, cheers Jimmy, makes sense.

[Waffdon]

He'll go in the summer, Pen and for £12-£15m I'd say. He was terrific again last night before the red card incident around 55 minutes. That second goal is a thing of beauty, never thought he was capable of a finish like that.

He's like a mini-Suarez, barrelling through defenders and a constant nuisance. Just probably missing that extra yard of pace & a better finish.

I wouldn't be surprised if we appeal his red card either, John. His 'stamp' on Ralston in the OF game was worse and he wasn't booked or cited for that so precedent has been set. Also, if we appeal he's available on Saturday which is a huge game.

Has he even scored against Celtic or in Europe yet?

[Adamski]

4 goals in the Europa league this year.

[Waffdon]

He’s improving, bless him.

[phonics]

Messi's not just on another level on the pitch but off it too. The highest earners in Spain:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dy4JHFgWsAIMeYz.jpg

[Baz]

Bottom of the tax paid one though, bizarrely.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Messi's post playing career will be interesting. I reckon grubby mouthpiece for dictators is the most likely route.

[Lewis]

Barcelona really list the plot over Coutinho didn't they.

[niko_cee]

What is that, monthly? Quarterly? Or is that just what they declare as salary?

[phonics]

What is that, monthly? Quarterly? Or is that just what they declare as salary?

https://i.imgur.com/U6lsNpQ.png

[phonics]

Messi's not just on another level on the pitch but off it too. The highest earners in Spain:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dy4JHFgWsAIMeYz.jpg

This goes some way to explaining it though.

1093892802872819713

You forget how absolutely phenomenal him and Ronaldo are. Better than a goal a game and if you include assists, contributing 1.6 goals a game total. Just mental. Remember when we considered strikers good if they had a 1 in 2 record?

[Manc]

Has he won the Champions League since Xavi moved to the oil lands?

[Shindig]

It's going to be a little hollow without them, if I'm honest.

[Waffdon]

Some poor souls will be in tears after that Aston Villa comeback. Absolutely brilliant.

[niko_cee]

Pray 4 Hammer

[Mellberg]

I'm in a pub surrounded by bluenoses. Only Villa fan. They were unbearable and I've gone x10. Fanfuckintastic.

[Giggles]

Pray 4 Hammer

He's halfway to Leeds.

[phonics]

I'm in a pub surrounded by bluenoses. Only Villa fan. They were unbearable and I've gone x10. Fanfuckintastic.

I was in/around Wylde Green at Christmas and couldn't find a pub that was allowed to show football. They'd all had banning orders, had to go up to Boldmere. Good to be back in Sutton Coldfield.

[Mellberg]

Other side of town to me that. I'm from Longbridge way, but now live in Solihull. Well posh.

[Spikey M]

now live in Solihull. Well posh.
:harold:

[Mellberg]

Pronounced Sow-Lee-Hull, motherfucker.

[Spikey M]

The Birmingham Posh-test is whether they end 'bus' with a z or an s.

[Mellberg]

If you can afford to get on the buz you're posh in my book.

[Mike]

Big Liverpool win today, back top, Chelsea to take something off City. I’m ready!

[Baz]

No Brooks, Wilson, Fraser or Clyne.

Cue a 0-0 barnstormer.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've had a night out in Solihull before. If that's posh then I'm His Excellency the God-Emperor, Lord of Land and Sea.

[phonics]

I was also in Solihull during that same period. My parents were buying toilets.

[Spikey M]

Llamas in basements, banter with mates down the pub about dead footballers and now wild nights out in Solihull. I don't feel like I know Jim anymore.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Playing with fire here using Smalling and Jones.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Great hit but the keeper shouldn't be letting that in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Llamas in basements, banter with mates down the pub about dead footballers and now wild nights out in Solihull. I don't feel like I know Jim anymore.

If it's any consolation, I absolutely despise 'nights out', only go on them when I absolutely have to, and pray for them to be over as soon as they have begun.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was fucking class by Martial.

[Lewis]

I didn't know Fulham were this bad.

[Lewis]

That 'Ice cold. Black gloves' lad will be having a fit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fulham's director of football is called 'Tony Khan' and combines his job with a similar role in pretzelball and running his own wrestling company, so yeah.

[thommo]

I didn't know Fulham were this bad.

We're worse than this. We've started ok, relatively speaking.

[Lewis]

I would bring the Michael Jackson statue back for the relegation run-in.

[Ian]

That was fucking class by Martial.

Great goal though Fulham should perhaps have given some thought to not letting him run in a straight line for 50 yards.

[thommo]

We have a habit of tackling by simply dangling a limp leg at the football and hoping that's enough to win it back. Odoi is fucking woeful and has been all season, yet STILL gets a game, and he's so petrified at making a challenge he is happy to simply back pedal constantly and allow any opposition winger to get to the edge of the penalty area.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We have a habit of tackling by simply dangling a limp leg at the football and hoping that's enough to win it back. Odoi is fucking woeful and has been all season, yet STILL gets a game, and he's so petrified at making a challenge he is happy to simply back pedal constantly and allow any opposition winger to get to the edge of the penalty area.

I've obviously seen a lot less of him than you, but in every Fulham game I've seen this year Odoi has stood out as not even being a Championship player. He's clearly just got to a certain level in Belgium, had a half decent agent and here he somehow is. He did it again just then, just disppearing backwards and letting Martial into easy shooting position.

[thommo]

As soon as we're on the back foot, Odoi really is awful. The only reason he could keep a first team spot down last season was because we'd dominate games and his confidence passing and keeping the ball at the back was important to how Jokanovic set us up and how we played. He'll have cult hero status at Fulham because of his header in the play-off semis, but he shouldn't be anywhere near the matchday squad.

Every game he's good for a costly mistake, but we really don't have a replacement for right-back. And that's where Tony Khan comes in. Our other right back options are Fosu-Mensah (on loan from United, but still fairly shit, no positioning sense whatsoever), or Cyrus fucking Christie (injured today, and also rubbish, but has a little more skill going forwards). We do not have a defence fit to stay in the league.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The whole approach has been weird. They went up last season thanks to an expansive approach in which they would basically score so many goals that it nullified the defensive weakness. The logical approach to that in the PL would have been to keep the attacking approach and supplement with a couple of better individuals at the back, but instead they bought even more attackers (most of whom are worse than the old ones), sacked the attacking manager when they had a dodgy start, brought in a defensive manager, and then didn't buy him any defenders either.

[niko_cee]

Odoi couldn't defend in the Championship, so it's no surprise he's a massive liability in the Premier League.

Big Dom Solanke to score today.

[Lewis]

Everyone deliberately not passing to Lukaku is a bit mean.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a way to end the day for Babel.

[SvN]

Sanchez really has had it. Probably the quickest downturn since Torres.

[Lewis]

He seems like the sort who would go to China if the money was right, so hopefully Fellaini is out there making some moves.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Mourinho this season in the league P 17, W7, D5, L5

Solskjaer P9, W8, D1.

[Boydy]

11 points off top now. Could still make a title charge.

[Mike]

Oh Mane Mane

[Giggles]

Alan Browne, goal machine :cool:

[igor_balis]

Other side of town to me that. I'm from Longbridge way, but now live in Solihull. Well posh.

My dad used to be a white van man, and part of his route was Solihull and Knowle and Dorridge etc. Yom roight, well posh.

[John Arne]

Salah is such a selfish twat.

[Mellberg]

I've had a night out in Solihull before. If that's posh then I'm His Excellency the God-Emperor, Lord of Land and Sea.

:D

A night in the town is the same as everywhere else. Walkabout, Slug and Lettuce, Revolution, yadda yadda.

[igor_balis]

Solihull also has EXCELLENT charity shops. Since about 2008, places tend to either be full of absolute shit because people are too poor to donate anything decent, or they're in hipster uni cities with volunteers who overprice everything. Solihull is still in the sweet spot of good but cheap.

[Shindig]

Cardiff are going to pull this off. Wankers.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Birmingham were 4-0 up and they're hanging on now at 4-3.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

QPR just had a penalty saved ffs.

[Gray Fox]

Could and likely should have hit Bournemouth for about 10 there. Keita looks much improved with Gini back next to him. He seems to be the glue of the midfield.

If we can get Gomez, Lovren and Trent back fully fit before the end of the month, that'd be a big boost.

[John Arne]

Could and likely should have hit Bournemouth for about 10 there. Keita looks much improved with Gini back next to him. He seems to be the glue of the midfield.

If we can get Gomez, Lovren and Trent back fully fit before the end of the month, that'd be a big boost.

Apparently Gomez could be out for the rest of the season.

[Gray Fox]

Klopp said that about the Ox but he's back in the Champions League squad. I hope he's lying as I'm not sure which poison out of Matip and Lovren I prefer.

[niko_cee]

Gomez is 4-6 weeks so he's going to be back around the same time that Chamberlain is (ie end of March).

[Giggles]

What the fuck is a Gini and why must grown men with jobs persist with this?

[Boydy]

What the fuck is a Gini and why must grown men with jobs persist with this?

Wijnaldum.

[Waffdon]

We’re about to take over Scottish football with our American investors. USA USA USA

[Luke Emia]

Other side of town to me that. I'm from Longbridge way, but now live in Solihull. Well posh.

I was literally speaking to the in laws last night as they are going to the NEC in a few weeks. They are staying in Solihull. Told them that’s where the posh people live.

[Waffdon]

Everton are away to be in a relegation scrap. Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal their next four home games and they don’t win away from home.

[Shindig]

Nah, they've got the points on the board. It's more likely to be a pissing match between us, Brighton, Southampton and Maybe Cardiff for 18th.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, it's starting to get uncomfortable down there (oo er). Could really have done with beating the not-racists tonight.

[Raoul Duke]

Oh Mane Mane

Do Liverpool have a song to the tune of Radio Gaga, but with Sadio Mane instead? I imagine this exists and I heard it somewhere and it's not just my brain making it up.

[mo]

See Paul Scholes is the new Oldham boss. Can't see that going well, bit of a crack-pot club nowadays it seems.

[Lewis]

Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide...
No. A Liverpool fan stampede

[Mike]

Do Liverpool have a song to the tune of Radio Gaga, but with Sadio Mane instead? I imagine this exists and I heard it somewhere and it's not just my brain making it up.

Not yet.
Just
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BtCsEjzAXY

And the 'Merry Christmas Everton' song. Get your Radio Gaga one wrote and get that fan from Cork to do it.

[Giggles]

He was a wannabe comedian trying to push a bit of business.

[Vercetti]

Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide...
No. A Liverpool fan stampede

:D

Whatever happened to AlanRico?

[Giggles]

Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide...
No. A Liverpool fan stampede

All karma from
Murdering italiaaaaaaans

[Spikey M]

I'm just a poor boy,
Been forced to claim UC.

[Pepe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYYAv-QW38Q

[John Arne]

Spanish football really is horrible to watch. When will they realise that excessive VAR use isn't because of bad ref's, it's because all the players are cheating, diving, whining, mardy fuckers.

[Baz]

:D

A night in the town is the same as everywhere else. Walkabout, Slug and Lettuce, Revolution, yadda yadda.
Sounds like you need a night out in St. Helens.

[phonics]

The Huddersfield manager is so German he referred to us as 'Arsenal London' in the post-match interview.

[Waffdon]

Quality stuff in the Norwich game with the fracas there. Hopefully it kicks off again.

[Waffdon]

Leicester aren’t far off a cracking team. No idea why you’d start Gray over Vardy up front though. You’re just asking him to do essentially what Vardy does best.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

3 strikers on the bench and none starting for Leicester.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Vardy :lol:

[Manc]

Leicester don't deserve Puel.

[Waffdon]

Hudson Odoi bombed out completely once again now transfer window is over. Shambles.

Barkley somehow starting too.

[bruhnaldo]

come on Leicester let's have a draw

[Kikó]

Why would you want Leicester to snatch it? Spurs winning the league is the only palatable option left.

[Spikey M]

United have a better chance than Spurs do.

[Kikó]

Nah not with Son on the run. :cool:

[bruhnaldo]

@Kiko I like Utd to turn over the gap to Spurs much, much more than them the gap above them... considering their injury issues, "it's Tottenham, mate", etc. etc.

City winning is the only realistic outcome that doesn't involve Liverpool winning it and I've come to accept this. At least then I can say "well if we spent 200m on wing backs we'd probably win too!" over and over.

[Lewis]

Yeah, you can just write anything City win off as human rights abuse. And they have already won a few titles. If Liverpool won it it would command a certain amount of respect.

[Kikó]

Get your spurs bedsheets on and stfu.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nothing is less palatable than Spurs winning the league.

[Giggles]

A worldwide outbreak of ebola is more palatable than Liverpool winning it.

[Lewis]

The only way Tottenham winning it works is if Smallpockets walks out on them straight afterwards, preferably having deliberately not celebrated them doing so like when Mourinho made the 2010 Champions League final all about him, and it all falls to bits in their new stadium. But seeing as I reckon he is odds on to BOTTLE the United job we can do without that.

[Waffdon]

Alonso :D

Only good at scoring goals and killing folk.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Boo.

I have money on Aguero to score in the first 15 minutes, why couldn't it fall to him?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

How the fuck?

[bruhnaldo]

Aguero missing that has me fearful the world is coming to an end.

[bruhnaldo]

Boo.

I have money on Aguero to score in the first 15 minutes, why couldn't it fall to him?

Ahhhhh that's why ok phew crisis averted.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/AyAqS8t.png

I'll take that though.

[bruhnaldo]

Spot me 5 my boy we're practically brothers you know

[Waffdon]

Chelsea don’t want to make it too obvious they’re lying down.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Alonso :D

He's so bad.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Barkley is stunning.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tear in the eye stuff here boys, I'm so proud of you.

[Waffdon]

Alonso :D

He's so bad.

Swear you had him down as the best left back not long ago.

Sarri really should be sacked. No plan B and horrific away from home. Or for just picking Barkley and Alonso.

[Pleb]

Amazing.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Swear you had him down as the best left back not long ago.

Sarri really should be sacked. No plan B and horrific away from home. Or for just picking Barkley and Alonso.

I never had him down as the best. I thought he was better than he is (the goals made up for this) and he was brilliant on FIFA.

[Spikey M]

Swear you had him down as the best left back not long ago.

Sarri really should be sacked. No plan B and horrific away from home. Or for just picking Barkley and Alonso.

I'm not too sure what Plan A is. Unless 'play your best players cripplingly out of position' is a plan.

[Gray Fox]

Did I just see Barkley head Aguero through on goal?

[Waffdon]

I'm not too sure what Plan A is. Unless 'play your best players cripplingly out of position' is a plan.

Let Jorginho pass sideways all game, good Hazard carries the team and forget how to defend.

[Waffdon]

This is amazing. Surely he doesn’t survive.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They could hit double figures if they want.

I've also got money on De Bruyne to score a goal so hopefully he gets in on the action.

[Mike]

I almost stuck money on a draw, dodged a bullet!

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is amazing. Surely he doesn’t survive.

He will survive, they're out of that phase now. Maybe in the summer if we are shit between now and the end of the season.

[Pleb]

8 goals anyone?

[Gray Fox]

Hazard will surely be on to his agent at half time.

[-james-]

You can get 1.72 on City to win the league cup. That's a 72% increase to your net worth.

[Lewis]

Jesper Gronkjaer and whoever their club-knowing, Mike Phelan equivalent is (that borderline retard physio who Soccer AM used to love) in by Monday.

[Disco]

Call for Sir Jonathan Terrington.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bring in Michael Emenalo or the fat guy with the red face.

[Giggles]

Mourinho.