November football: MAXIMUM EFFORT

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've become a big Newcastle fan at the moment, purely because I want Steve Bruce to stick it to their stupid dickhead fans. Above Spurs and United in the table tonight.

[mugbull]

Lewis' link got me looking at the Twitter account, which is the funniest thing I've seen in ages

https://twitter.com/MascotSilence

[Shindig]

I'm onboard. It's a continuation of where we were with Rafa but the squad has a little more zip.

[Disco]

I saw a bus rolling with a massive one the other day, yet on the actual naval base they don't seem to have bothered with any of it. I think that that's quite revealing.


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[John Arne]

Accrington-Crewe second half running 30 minutes late. Referee injured in the first half, and then lino injured somehow near halftime. FA rules mean that the second half goes ahead with only 1 linesman! They tossed a coin to decide which line he would run. :D

[mugbull]

Pochettino really needs to go now. Lost the plot.

[Waffdon]

If Leicester hold on here, that’s the top four pretty much sorted already. The other teams are too inconsistent to make up ten points even at this stage.

[Gray Fox]

Properly good football for that goal. Lovely stuff.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Claude in the toilets checking his skin before action.

[Waffdon]

Arsenal not playing Aubumeyang through the middle at all times is a disgrace.

[Waffdon]

That’s such a good finish.

[Gray Fox]

This is brilliant from Leicester.

[John Arne]

Emery's hair gel will be getting very wet at this rate. 48 years old :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

If this was the WWE, which it sort of is, the PL bosses would be sacking Emery at this point. Needs a new storyline.

[Gray Fox]

I think they have to.

The ship is sinking and this guy hasn't got it. They're being absolutely played off the park by a team they're hoping to be competitive with. Look at the difference in desire.

9 points off the top 4 after the game tomorrow as well. Even with 26 games left I don't see it being closed.

[-james-]

Vardy has 11 goals from 25 shots this season, that is ridiculous(ly unsustainable).

[Jimmy Floyd]

I suppose they could get Jose in for banter, albeit I see that Bayern are likely to give it Himmler until the end of the season so he might be holding out for that one to come up.

I'd like to see the gooners take a punt on someone like they did with Wenger, Emery was basically the most famous available manager and not that imaginative an appointment.

[Gray Fox]

He's not got quite the glowing record, but if they want a proper long term project then Eddie Howe could be the way to go. Plays the attractive brand too.

Ironically Brendan is probably the manager they should have got, but there's no way he'd take the step down now.

[Waffdon]

Tony Adams :D

[Shindig]

I feel like Eddie Howe could wind up sitting at Bournemouth for 20 years like this generation's Curbishley.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tony Adams :D

At half time I suddenly realised that he and Claude are exactly the same person.

[niko_cee]

Leicester absolutely bossed that.

Spurs should (lol) have it in them to make it competitive for the top 4 spots, but United and Arsenal look miles off. I suppose the question for Leicester is what happens if Vardy stops scoring, for whatever reason. December and January are the proper sorting things out months though, so many games to play.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I noticed earlier that the Conference is already up to 20 games, they must play pretty much every Tuesday. PL goes so slowly, then catapults through December/January, then slows down again, and then goes all harem scarem in April. Should really bin off four of the 20 teams and cut it to 30 primetime occasions.

[Boydy]

Stop with all the bloody international breaks in the early part of the season. Another one next weekend? Ffs.

[niko_cee]

I missed the chance to make the same point last weekend (or maybe the one before) but who is this absolute joker in goal for West Ham and why did they let Adrian go?

[phonics]

Emery: We worked. We played our game plan being consistent. In the first half, it was a very equal match and we had chances to score. We concede some for them but it’s normal as a side playing at home with their supporters. Really, I think we did the first half very good. The second half we started [well] also being protagonist and having chances, good chances. They also did one post. The team who scored the first goal was [untranscribable] the three points and they did that.

Get him out. I'm fucking done with him. Unintelligible off the pitch, worse on it. I've gone from being bored of us passing it endlessly on the edge of the opposition penalty box to being genuinely impressed when we manage to string 4 passes together. It's appaling.

[Shindig]

I'd keep him. You'll just hop from gaffer to gaffer like the Mancs otherwise.

[phonics]

I'd keep him. You'll just hop from gaffer to gaffer like the Mancs otherwise.

In which time they've finished below us twice in five years, won more silverware and participated in the Champions League more often.

This also ignores the fact that we are FUCKING AWFUL now, Arsenal used to be frustrating because we were better than everyone and invidiual mistakes would let us down. Now we're struggling to be the dominant side in games versus relegation candidates.

Emery came out recently saying he's made the team more competitive, and he's right in the sense that we have to compete for every point.

This from midweek sums it up. A rare occasion of us having the majority of the ball and it results in this:

https://i.imgur.com/DSZSaK0.png

500 passes. 1 into the box. They had twice as many shots as we did.

[-james-]

I thought Arsenal were alright today. In terms of chances created it was pretty even. The difference being that one side are on a massive scoring bender and full of confidence and the other lot are a laughing stock on twitter.

[phonics]

I thought Arsenal were alright today. In terms of chances created it was pretty even. The difference being that one side are on a massive scoring bender and full of confidence and the other lot are a laughing stock on twitter.

Yeah that was the best we've played since the first half at Watford. Watford would go on to score 20% of their total goals for the season in the following 45 minutes.

[niko_cee]

Presumably there's some sort of stat informing the view that Arsenal were alright today because just watching the game they were awful. If Leicester had been 2 or 3 up at the break it wouldn't have been an unfair reflection. They totally dominated the game, and if Arsenal's plan in general is to just sit off and hope to fluke something on the counter then, well, good luck to them.

[Lewis]

Arsenal are 'LvG' United without the big game skillset.

[phonics]

Arsenal are 'LvG' United without the big game skillset.

This analogy is completely wrong anyway but in fact we're actually much better in big games now than previously. Closest comparison I can think of is Juande Ramos' Spurs.

[Giggles]

Arsenal don't play in big games any more.

[Shindig]

Also, that squad's just been getting steadily worse over time. They used to be amazing because they had the players to match. Aside from Lacazette and Aubameyang, the rest are passengers. They haven't had a spine in over a decade and don't like close to finding one.

[John Arne]

Just watched MOTD... How the hell is this Roberto fella in goals for West Ham? Surely they have a younger keeper who can catch the ball - the guy is worse the Karius.

[Kikó]

Arsenal have basically matched United for mediocrity over the past 5-6 years. Both owned by Americans who treat it like a subsidiary business as well.

[John Arne]

This analogy is completely wrong anyway but in fact we're actually much better in big games now than previously. Closest comparison I can think of is Juande Ramos' Spurs.

Yesterday was a big game for Arsenal. Granted, it's a one-off, but you still didn't turn up.

Also, Arsenal haven't won away to a top 6 side in 23 games.

[niko_cee]

I'm no gambling expert, but City appear to be (marginal) favourites to win today (on the Betfair exchange). I know it's a tight call, but a City win the most likely outcome? Isn't that a bit :cab:?

Underdogs. :cool:

[-james-]

I'm no gambling expert, but City appear to be (marginal) favourites to win today (on the Betfair exchange). I know it's a tight call, but a City win the most likely outcome? Isn't that a bit :cab:?

Underdogs. :cool:

I mean it's basically a coin flip. 35% vs 38%. Interesting that the price hasn't really moved since the Ederson news. Wonder if it's a work of fiction

[niko_cee]

If it is (and I could well see it) it's a pretty lol thing to do to Bravo.

[John Arne]

I'd have City as slight favourites.

[-james-]

It's an interesting one because City can't really afford to lose, but also not sure it would be wise to try and play out a 0-0 like they did in the first game last season with the personnel they currently have available. Be good if they just try and outscore Liverpool.

[Gray Fox]

It'll likely end up in a draw.

A loss for City will be disastrous, whereas it wouldn't quite be as bad for Liverpool though it would halt the momentum that has been building.

[Giggles]

Wolves and Aston Villa is apparently on Sky One.


EDIT: Though presumably they're going to lick the arses of these scouse cunts right up to kick off.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Personally think City have to go for it. You can't rely on Liverpool to drop that many points against the chaff in this era.

[Gray Fox]

Also add in that City are minus large parts of the back line and Liverpool have yet to keep a home clean sheet this season.

I reckon City will/should put Sterling on Trents side and that battle will probably decide the match. As outstanding as he is going forward, his defending is very inconsistent.

Like last season though it's very much a mental thing. City winning the last game put some seeds of doubt in there and a few nervy away draws followed if I remember right. West Ham, United and Everton come to mind.

[John Arne]

The Guardian's sports journo's are absolutely obsessed with poppies. Every writer goes out of their way to mention how everybody is obsessed with poppies. Full circle.

[Lewis]

United have looked alright, but I have literally no idea how good Brighton are.

[Lewis]

I'm guessing shit.

[randomlegend]

Lol, what a couple of absolutely dreadful goals.

[bruhnaldo]

hold on have they always shown the replay of the celebration if they give it a good goal??? lmfaooo

[bruhnaldo]

How is that not a pen :|

[Lewis]

Brandon Williams is ace. Luke Shaw is packing his teeth bleach and his chocolate fountain as we speak.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was wondering why Kingstonian (7th tier) were 4-0 up away at Macclesfield in the FA Cup, and then I saw apparently the latter's entire squad is on strike due to unpaid wages. Is the whole of Manchester suburbs football collapsing in on itself?

[Shindig]

I've just clocked that. Meanwhile Gateshead are out 2-1 to Oldham. By the looks of the stat page, Gateshead were up for it. York have lost as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

And Leyton Orient dumped out at home by an 8th tier team from one of the shittest parts of Essex (the very shittest part of Essex didn't go so well either, with Spikey's men defeated at Dover).

[Gray Fox]

1193539610250338307


His streak continues.

[Lewis]

Porko Darron Gibson.

[SincereTheRebel]

Wolves need to take Jota off. On a yellow and still committing small stupid fouls.

[John Arne]

Mark Bosnich when asked why he doesn't play legends games...

"Does Picasso come back and do paintings he used to do. You don't go back a redo a painting that's perfect" :D

[niko_cee]

Having not seen 'Bozza' for years I can only imagine he is either (a) enormously fat or (b) an emaciated cokehead, both of which would preclude masters football.

[Lewis]

He's probably in better shape now than when he played.

[randomlegend]

That miss from Rashford, my god.

[Lewis]

The Best of Rashford there.

[bruhnaldo]

Rashford fucking up Dan James stats ffs

[Waffdon]

Not sure how Walker is getting a game over Cancelo. No idea who the fuck Angelino is either.

[Gray Fox]

The almost Brexit midfield returns.

Very attacking from City too.

[Lewis]

Fred and Scott McTominay have been excellent today. If Paulp Oogba isn't the number ten when he comes back the so-called coaching staff want banning from the ground.

[niko_cee]

Very attacking from City too.

In what way? Not going with a back 3/5? They have every defensive midfielder on their books playing, by the looks of it.

Bore them to death and go for set pieces.

Disappointed, although not surprised, to see Oxlade not getting a start.

[Boydy]

That fucking midfield.

And Lovren playing too. Ffs.

[Gray Fox]

In what way? Not going with a back 3/5? They have every defensive midfielder on their books playing, by the looks of it.

Bore them to death and go for set pieces.

Disappointed, although not surprised, to see Oxlade not getting a start.

Other than Stones, and the 2 DMs, I believe everyone else loves to get forward. I reckon they'll bypass the counter press very well. You may even see them dally around the back to draw a press in, then spring 2/3 quick passes and be in behind.

You'd imagine Sterling and Aguero will go down the Lovren/Trent side so it might be quite easy for them.

[SvN]

Another sitter missed from Rashford. He should've had 4.

[randomlegend]

Martial keeps it pretty well under wraps but he spends a solid 5 minutes a game fuming at Rashford :D

[Smjffy]

Forever the optimist but I just can't see how we're going to win today. It has nothing to do with the line ups or our ability to do so, it's more because you don't find yourself 9 points clear of your direct rivals after just twelve games with half your fixtures being against those who currently occupy the top 7.

[niko_cee]

Whilst I can understand it (by being on the inside of it) I would imagine the amount of pessimism that comes from Liverpool fans on here must be quite irritating to some.

Hopefully our plan is to bore them to death and stuff them on set pieces.

Shove the 'highest quality league game ever' BS.

[Gray Fox]

I'm quite the pessimist admittedly(I'd say more realist). That comes from me seeing Liverpool bottle it on multiple occasions. We've always been good(not being outside the top 8 in some 50 years is great), but only ever hit inspired form for half a season 3 or 4 times in my life. Until last year anyway.

It just so happens we're up against another team that's equally as good, if not better as they have the nous of having been there and done it.

[Waffdon]

City city city city city city

[Pleb]

What's with the De Bryne hate :D

[Waffdon]

Did they even check that penalty? City are going to get raped on the counter

[Jimmy Floyd]

If there was ever a demonstration of how shit VAR is, that was it. Someone buries one from 25 yards and nobody can properly celebrate because of some handball claim from a minute earlier.

Surely VAR's last ever game in English football today.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Clear penalty, too, they just bottled giving it due to the impending riots if they had.

[Waffdon]

They’d have given the penalty if Fabinho doesn’t thundercunt that in.

[mugbull]

If this was any other game, that goal would have been chalked off and a penalty given. No one wants to do that here though

[Pleb]

This comes off the back of the head ref guy demanding on field refs check the on pitch monitors more often.

The MELTDOWN is real though. VAR needs looking at or fucked off.

[Pleb]

Such carnage.

VAR :D

[Waffdon]

How on earth do they spend 3/4 mins on VAR for Sheffield Utd yesterday and don’t even look at that. Hahahahaha what on earth

[Jimmy Floyd]

How on earth do they spend 3/4 mins on VAR for Sheffield Utd yesterday and don’t even look at that. Hahahahaha what on earth

Either today's VAR ref is Kenny Dalglish, or they are shit scared of Anfield mob justice.

[Pleb]

City are opening up their buttholes if they continue to defend like that.

[Waffdon]

The one yesterday was for a bloke offside that didn’t even create the goal. The whole thing is a shambles. He might well have been offside but they’ve not even looked at it back and if they had it was for 20 seconds.

Somebody has to take a hit for the team and blow Anfield up if they win the league.

[Waffdon]

*insert Drogba ‘this is a disgrace’ Gif*

[mugbull]

Wijnaldum has been amazing this season. I mean they all have, but surely he's in the running for Liverpool's POTS

[Shindig]

The one yesterday was for a bloke offside that didn’t even create the goal. The whole thing is a shambles. He might well have been offside but they’ve not even looked at it back and if they had it was for 20 seconds.

Somebody has to take a hit for the team and blow Anfield up if they win the league.

Wouldn't that just perpetuate the victim narrative?

[Waffdon]

My TV is going through the window if Sky dont show the second goal. Where’s the stupid fucking lines they usually draw on screen.

[Spikey M]

Send your laptop out after it lad.

[John Arne]

When did Sterling become Carsten Jancker? Winning everything in the air.

[Jimmy Floyd]

When did Sterling become Carsten Jancker? Winning everything in the air.

They need to bring Jo off the bench, or Niall Quinn perhaps.

James will probably come in and tell us City have been the better team, but that argument fails to appreciate that 90% of football is finishing.

[John Arne]

If you fancy a laugh search twitter for 'racist sterling' and lol at all the, mostly Italians, calling Liverpool fans racists for boo'ing Sterling and asking why the commentators aren't making anything of it. :D

[Baz]

Only heard the first goal on the radio so interested to see the “handball” at halftime. What happened to the “if it hits the arm, deliberate or not, it’s a handball” rule?

[mugbull]

Only heard the first goal on the radio so interested to see the “handball” at halftime. What happened to the “if it hits the arm, deliberate or not, it’s a handball” rule?

It’s the biggest game of the year, rules go out the window

[Gray Fox]

If it's at the Eithad, City get that all day.

One of those that probably is, but ref will bottle it. Especially didn't help that we went up and scored.

[John Arne]

Only heard the first goal on the radio so interested to see the “handball” at halftime. What happened to the “if it hits the arm, deliberate or not, it’s a handball” rule?

That applies to the attacking side only.

[Pleb]

My dad is going to be SEETHING when I tell him what happened.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't know why Pep is seething. Someone needs to tell him about the First Rule.

[Waffdon]

Has De Bruyne ever played well in a big game?

[Pleb]

Not really.

[Pleb]

Absolute bedlam.

Someone get the ROFLcopter ready.

[Mike]

Mane, obvs. :cool2:

[Waffdon]

Brendan Rodgers and Frank Lampard to the rescue.

[Shindig]

One horse race.

[Pleb]

City: Shit we're 3 nil down who do we bring on?

Pep: Milner.

[Kikó]

City's defence is just crap but most teams would be with half of them out. Crap tactics again though from Guardiola. No pragmatism.

[Spikey M]

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They really are cheating, aren't they?

[Waffdon]

James is going to have a field day with his expected goals here today.

[Cheddar]

Two correct decisions. Up the VAR.

[Mike]

Easy that ;)

[John Arne]

Pep didn't do a lot to change that game. Granted City played well, but nothing changed, even after the third goal.

[niko_cee]

Haha.

Cry me a river City. Kompany should have been sent off in the game at their place last season (pretty much by his own admission) at 0-0 and that decided the season. You get them at home.

Not really sure how that Arnold one works with the new (insane) handball rule anyway. Silva's allowed to handball it 'accidentally' and win a penalty, but had a goal resulted (which is pretty much what a penalty is) then it's not allowed? There was literally no way to VAR that Fabinho goal away.

1.38 v 1.48 on the xG.

:happycry:

[Lewis]

Hopefully Liverpool win every game now so United go down as having ruined a perfect season.

[SincereTheRebel]

:lol:

1193609969599438852?s=09

[SincereTheRebel]

https://youtu.be/f85rgm5kvWs

[Giggles]

Has a fanny? - check.
Refereed an actual premier division game? - nope.


1193294341244178433

[SincereTheRebel]

Is that an award for the league from bottom or top Ireland?

[Giggles]

Is that an award for the league from bottom or top Ireland?

It doesn't work as well when you try too hard.

[mugbull]

Yeah Sincere you’ve milked that one completely dry

[SincereTheRebel]

There is still some left in the teat

[bruhnaldo]

I would disagree.

[Spikey M]

Look at Top Mexico piping up.

[phonics]

Canadas Taint.

[John Arne]

1193894179635683328

[Disco]

You never get anywhere in Top/Bottom Ireland by letting things go, so keep up the good work Sincere. :thbup:

[Spikey M]

:D

[Disco]

In other news, man asked how well he was doing his own job says 'Very well thank you'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50380641

[Jimmy Floyd]

He makes the wrong assumption that getting correct decisions should be the aim. The aim should be to make football a more enjoyable experience for everyone. In VAR's case that might mean ironing out some of the clear injustices that were pissing people off before. That is not the same as getting every decision correct.

It should be like a nightclub bouncer, only becoming involved if absolutely necessary.

[Spikey M]

I've met some bouncers that are exactly like VAR in fairness.

[Lewis]

He makes the wrong assumption that getting correct decisions should be the aim. The aim should be to make football a more enjoyable experience for everyone. In VAR's case that might mean ironing out some of the clear injustices that were pissing people off before. That is not the same as getting every decision correct.

It should be like a nightclub bouncer, only becoming involved if absolutely necessary.

In that case they shouldn't have it at all.

[mugbull]

The best nightclubs are the ones where the bouncer turns away half the people so i don’t know how well that analogy works

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not exactly on home territory in the nightclub field, it must be said, but you have to leave your analogy comfort zone sometimes.

[bruhnaldo]

I would disagree.

.

[Spikey M]

Look at Cuba's armpit piping up.

[bruhnaldo]

You leave Florida outta this.

[Offshore Toon]

To be fair, bouncers only have turn people away once a club has become too popular and it's necessary to preserve the culture of the club. The actual best clubs are relatively unknown so there's no need to turn away the dickheads because they haven't found out about it yet. Thus, I think Jimmy's analogy is okay.

[bruhnaldo]

Speaking of someone on here said something about clubs that don't exclusively play reggaeton or rap music and I got very confused because that's literally the only clubs we have here.

I've thought about this for several days.

[Giggles]

If that game tonight is anything to go by, an Ireland - NI merged league is still a million miles away :drool: Both the result and the sectarian fun in the stands.

[Gray Fox]

Sterling has been dropped by England after kicking off on Joe Gomez again. SEETHING.

[bruhnaldo]

"The 24-year-old is England's most creative player and has been spoken of as a future captain because of the leadership skills he has developed over the past few seasons, a notion encouraged by Southgate."

A new FEC? :drool:

[Lewis]

The racists were all right about him. He should be dropped permanently.

[Spikey M]

Var

[Giggles]

Drop your best player for that? Wouldn't even have been an issue had it not been one of the dippers.

[Gray Fox]

Apparently the whole squad agreed on it.

People lose their shit when Liverpool are top of the league.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What are they even having beef about that has spilled over into a second day?

[Gray Fox]

They had a squaring up during the game after Gomez was sent on to specifically shut Sterling down. No idea what was said but Gomez picked him up and shoved him a little.

Rumours are the 2 started some "banter" today and they were at each other again.

[mugbull]

Joe Gomez has always struck me as a huge idiot

[niko_cee]

Well he is a centre-half, and he does have a bit of that Harry Kane not quite all there look about him.

lol at Sterling starting on him though. Pick your fights mate.

Micah Richards probably egged him on to do it, such was the level of his own personal seethe.

[Waffdon]

Sterling is your best player by a mile. Gomez should have been punted, no idea why he’s even been called up in the first place.

[Ian]

It's an excuse to rest him. If this had happened before an actual important match there is zero chance he'd have been "dropped."

[niko_cee]

I know the age difference isn't massive, but Gomez is a kid in that squad and Sterling is meant to be a senior pro. He shouldn't be attacking people in the canteen. I can think of other players who would go fully under the bus for that sort of thing in the past, but that's a can of worms.

It'd be great man management to biff the guy who did nothing though. :cab:

[SincereTheRebel]

If Sterling is putting his hands on his teammates. Get him the fuck out of here.

[Waffdon]

Someone on Twitter had it correct. It would be like siding with Juan Foyth over Leo Messi.

[Manc]

Not quite.

[niko_cee]

Siding with Messi a famously successful international stratagem.

[Giggles]

Someone on Twitter had it correct. It would be like siding with Juan Foyth over Leo Messi.

It's either have it forgotten this time next week or be still hearing about it in 15 years time. They probably did make the best decision.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It would actually be like siding with Poland over the Wehrmacht, if we're doing fucking stupid analogies.

'But they're Europe's best army!'

[Waffdon]

Not quite.

That’s being harsh to Foyth. Joe Gomez is a fourth choice centre back and second choice right back. A black Phill Jones.

[Lewis]

In Royk Eane's day the Dressing Room would have solved this, so either they don't exist anymore or everyone in a position to have actually solved it by telling them to grow up is a fanny.

[Shindig]

Solksjaer has to stand on a stool and flash the lights on and off. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

[phonics]

A kid on Liverpool’s bench trying to banter off Sterling for a match he was barely involved in should be getting two footed in training for the rest of the week.

[Gray Fox]

He was sent on in said match to stop Sterling and did it perfectly.

Any bollocks here about this being anything other than Sterling being a prick again is moot.

[Lewis]

Racist.

[Waffdon]

He was sent on in said match to stop Sterling and did it perfectly.

Any bollocks here about this being anything other than Sterling being a prick again is moot.

I see Liverpool fans are frothing at the idea of Sterling being the victim. That’s funny.

[John Arne]

I see Liverpool fans are frothing at the idea of Sterling being the victim. That’s funny.

Or, you know, just reading what happened and making a logical assesment. #JFT96

[Spikey M]

You are being a bit protective of the victimhood of the situation.

[thommo]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50100530

Missed out on one.

Annoyingly, it was Czechoslovakia. I entered both Czech Republic (correctly) and Slovakia, but missed the old country.

[Dave.]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50100530

Missed out on one.

Annoyingly, it was Czechoslovakia. I entered both Czech Republic (correctly) and Slovakia, but missed the old country.

Done this and missed out on same one. Typed in Czechslovakia and it wasn't accepted.

[igor_balis]

Yeah I'm with waff, deciding on who's in the right and who's in the wrong & appropriate punishment should be based on who has more insta followers and who can do the most keepy uppies. Lee Hughes scored well more goals than that family he killed so fuck knows what the judge was thinking.

[niko_cee]

Bernardo Silva's been banned (for a game) for that tweet.

lol

[Waffdon]

Yeah I'm with waff, deciding on who's in the right and who's in the wrong & appropriate punishment should be based on who has more insta followers and who can do the most keepy uppies. Lee Hughes scored well more goals than that family he killed so fuck knows what the judge was thinking.

A don’t think wee Raheem has killed anyone mate

[Ian]

I think it was conclusively... Er... Concluded that that gun tattoo means he actively endorses murder. Bound to have done one himself.

[igor_balis]

Exactly

[Giggles]

Powerhouse team for the test match vs New Zealand.


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[Mellberg]

I just spent 5 seconds thinking I was in the cricket thread that's such a nothing team.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why would they name that a day in advance? Does Alan Browne's confirmed presence get the tickets flying over the counter?

[Giggles]

None of them will feature against Denmark next week so I'd say he just got it out of the way.

[Ian]

It feels like Ireland play Bottom Scandinavia about once a fortnight.

[phonics]

It doesn't matter how much football changes. The Arsenal board will always be there to remind you of what it used to be.


And now the Daily Mail (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7682573/Arsenal-engulfed-row-David-OLearys-place-board.html) says there is ‘friction over O’Leary (https://www.football365.com/tag/david-oleary)‘s proposed involvement’ in the hierarchy with chairman Sir Chips Keswick wanting the former club captain to become a football consultant on the board.

Keswick isn’t alone in wanting O’Leary to advise ‘on football matters’ with fellow board member Lord Harris of Peckham in support of the idea.

[Disco]

Chips?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I went to school with his nephew, Sir Onion Rings Penrith.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50422048

He doesn't quite go full Robbie Keane here but he flirts with the idea.

[Smjffy]

I guess his stint at Monaco ruled out most European jobs for him and he doesn't strike me as the sort to want to start lower down the ladder. MLS is what it is which begs the question, whatever happened to Owen Coyle?

[Yevrah]

I don't think he made it to be a 4.5 star manager.


On 28 September 2017, Scottish Premiership club Ross County appointed Coyle as their manager on a two-year contract.[55] He resigned from this position on 1 March 2018, with the club sitting bottom of the league.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What was it that prompted the infamous SG rating? Was his team playing fashionable tippy tappy at the time? I don't recall him doing anything whatsoever in management, though I could be mistaken.

[SvN]

I think he had Burnley around 10th after winning promotion the season before.

[Lewis]

The top half of Owen Coyle's face is too big for the bottom half.

[Giggles]

I was at his international debut.

EDIT: Actually it was Tommy Coyne.


.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm currently watching a game between Turkey and Iceland in which neither has any interest whatsoever in scoring a goal. It's strangely entrancing.

[niko_cee]

Does that in any way serve to screw the French?

[Disco]

The top half of Owen Coyle's face is too big for the bottom half.

Like the anti-John Barnes.

[John Arne]

Marcelo Lippi, reportedly the highest paid manager in the world, has quit as head coach of China after they were beaten 2-1 by Syria.

Meanwhile Vietnam went top of Group G after a fantastic 1-0 victory at home to UAE. Victory at home to Thailand next week will almost ensure qualification to the third, and final round.

1195016023235334145

[Yevrah]

What was it that prompted the infamous SG rating? Was his team playing fashionable tippy tappy at the time? I don't recall him doing anything whatsoever in management, though I could be mistaken.

I think he'd read so in the Guardian.

[Giggles]

Was he not highly rated for a short time at Bolton?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Does that in any way serve to screw the French?

Helps them if anything. I imagine Turkey will get it 1-0 at the end, the black haired nations only really start playing in the last five minutes.

[Giggles]

This new kit is not good.

[Giggles]

No haka? Fuck that.

[Max Power]

Could have let Maddison get some rays in Dubai or head to the casino if he still can’t get a game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Monty look like a proper pub team, 6-0 is par.

Moldova take the lead in Paris, got to love the frogsters.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Hat-trick of assists for Chilwell in 23 minutes. Are Leicester now too good for someone to buy him? Best left back in the league who Waff doesn't have a picture of in his wallet.

[Ian]

I've just turned on and seen the score.

How bad are this lot that they've let us scored three this quickly? Is it not these who are meant to be the banana skin?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Maybe a few years ago when Vucinic was playing, but today they look San Marino tier. We're also quite good, Rashford looks very sharp.

[Waffdon]

Hat-trick of assists for Chilwell in 23 minutes. Are Leicester now too good for someone to buy him? Best left back in the league who Waff doesn't have a picture of in his wallet.

He’s good. He’ll be off to Chelsea along with Sancho in the summer so you’ll be a happy chap.

[Ian]

Rashford is invariably good for England.

Waistcoat for Ynitid manager.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Only a Spanish ref could lose control of this game. 10/10 for the flamboyant yellow card flourishing though.

[-james-]

Kosovo with a chance of qualifying if they hold on here against the Checks. England should roll over for them on Sunday.

[randomlegend]

Ronaldo decided to score a hat-trick tonight I see.

[Waffdon]

Chillwell > Sancho > Abraham

#Chelsea2020

[Spikey M]

Based on last night's performance alone, Sancho is basically Aaron Lenon. Lots of pace and got in all the right positions, but he has the end product of an autistic getting cold called.

[SincereTheRebel]

They cant have it all. If his end product was better, he would be Mbappe.

[phonics]

Based on last night's performance alone, Sancho is basically Aaron Lenon. Lots of pace and got in all the right positions, but he has the end product of an autistic getting cold called.


He’s 19 :cab:

[mugbull]

He also has better end product that Lennon ever did

[Spikey M]

He’s 19 :cab:

He is.

[niko_cee]

Are the shitheap nations much worse than they used to be, or are we better? I'm sure games like Montenegro and Bulgaria were reasonably tricky in years gone, now we're smashing them all about the place, home and away. Granted we've still got the odd Czechs away performance in us, but something seems to have changed for all these goalfests to be the new normal.

[Ian]

I think we have got better and I think the players (either because we're now entirely removed from the GOLDEN GENERATION by a number of years or because of Southgate) aren't finding England duty the total chore they seemed to previously.

Or at least are being more professional about it.

Southgate probably deserves a good chunk of the credit.

[Ian]

Probably also Kane, getting his 31 England goals in four years and being fairly reliable against the shit.

Looking at the numbers the only player above him in the scoring charts for England with a better goals per game is Jimmy Greaves.

[SincereTheRebel]

Smashing goals against the minor teams does not count.

[Ian]

They are literally counted.

[Disco]

I think it's more that different teams are in the shit tier and others are now the more credible opposition. Take Kosovo and Bulgaria, they are the opposite of what they would have been (or perceived to have been) in the past.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I also think we have had a series of almost unbelievably easy qualifying draws. The last two in particular have been breathtaking in getting pretty much the worst team from each pot.

[randomlegend]

Based on last night's performance alone, Sancho is basically Aaron Lenon. Lots of pace and got in all the right positions, but he has the end product of an autistic getting cold called.

He had 13 goals and 19 assists last season, and has 4 goals and 8 assists so far this season. His numbers are insane for an 18/19 year old.

[Waffdon]

Lol at this Gomez situation still dragging on. Southgate is an idiot for even bringing him on.

[Spikey M]

He had 13 goals and 19 assists last season, and has 4 goals and 8 assists so far this season. His numbers are insane for an 18/19 year old.

I did say I was basing my opinion purely on last nights match.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50431476

Is it still the case that basically nobody actually watches European games on BT?

[Pleb]

Well Sky was going to get it back with ITV/Amazon so there's that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50431476

Is it still the case that basically nobody actually watches European games on BT?

200,000 a match on average seems to be the consensus (presumably more for the bigger games involving English teams), although they and Sky both guard their viewing figures with the utmost secrecy.

This (https://www.football365.com/news/the-future-of-premier-league-football-on-tv-part-one) article is the most accessible I can find on the subject. Live football is hardly watched by anyone apart from the summer tournaments on terrestrial.

And yes, the most watched club football by a gap of tens of millions per season is of course that much-derided tournament, the FA Cup.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50431476

Is it still the case that basically nobody actually watches European games on BT?

I do.

[-james-]

I pay for BT Sport but I don't bother with the group stage games apart from maybe having the Goals Show (which is pretty good, just the subject matter is fucking dull) on in the background if I've nothing better to do. It's worth every penny from February onward though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If I'm being corporate about this, there is a fairly solid argument that the 8 top ranked Champions League teams (however you define that) should start their competition in February and the autumn bit should be the others competing for the other 8 places, probably in straight knockout football of some kind so there is excitement involved. Group stages in club football are the absolute worst.

[Waffdon]

I get it free through my phone so just watch it on that or on the PS4 if it’s a big game. It’s great on your phone for CL games as can just swap about matches and see any replay for goals/incidents for every game.

[Giggles]

It's free to air here and I still rarely watch a minute of it.

[igor_balis]

If I'm being corporate about this, there is a fairly solid argument that the 8 top ranked Champions League teams (however you define that) should start their competition in February and the autumn bit should be the others competing for the other 8 places, probably in straight knockout football of some kind so there is excitement involved. Group stages in club football are the absolute worst.

Despite being capitalist bootlicker bullshit I like this idea.

[Yevrah]

What the fuck is the Europa Conference League?

[Giggles]

Is that the new one designed to remove more of the weak country clubs out of the Europe proper?

[Spikey M]

They should just do it with the Winners of the proper leagues. England, Spain, Italy and Germany. Straight in at the semifinals.

Fuck France.

[John]

Is that the new one designed to remove more of the weak country clubs out of the Europe proper?

Just the opposite, I think. The other two stay as they are, and the new competition just means another sixty four teams get European football.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What the fuck is the Europa Conference League?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Europa_Conference_League

A beautiful thing, and the new destination for our League Cup winners.

[Giggles]

Just the opposite, I think. The other two stay as they are, and the new competition just means another sixty four teams get European football.

Our cup winners and league 2nd and 3rd go into this now instead of the Europa. No extra places, so it just means they get to not have our (and presumably anyone from similarly ranked leagues) in the Europa any more.

[Giggles]

Not that we could conceivably beat Denmark by even one goal, but the Swiss drawing with Georgia knocks all the craic out of Monday night now.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That was a bizarre anomaly but they've nicked a goal so you're alright.

[Giggles]

It'll just make the build up better because everyone will BELIEVE but in reality is going to be another whupping.

[-james-]

Big Ireland, Bosnia, Wales and Slovakia/Little Ireland look like one of the play-offs, I think. Scotland will have Norway, Serbia and Bulgaria.

One of Georgia, Skopje, Kosovo or Belarus qualfying is a bit lol.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Kosovo are dons, I hope they get it.

[Pleb]

They'll get it.

We'll tank the game Sunday while Bulgaria will do them a favour and beat the Czechs. Actually just saw the group standings never mind :D