November football: MAXIMUM EFFORT

[Kikó]

Having a drunk Pen videocall me tonight was funny. Well played Finland.

[Lewis]

As if you could tell.

[Ian]

They are literally counted.

Neg rep from Offy with the comment "racist" for saying all goals are counted in the above post is my most interesting yet.

[John]

Putting a massive ramp leading to the bowels of the stadium directly behind the goal, into which balls seemingly descend never to be seen again, seems like a questionable design choice from the Cypriots.

[Ian]

They've just taken pro time wasting to the next level.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50439121

This guy sounds like an enormous gaping arsehole.

[Smjffy]

He did improve them during his time though, right? I'm sure he'll do the same where he's currently at but he'd be better served just buying FM. Much cheaper and his son won't get grief.

[John Arne]

England play tomorrow, right? Not tonight..?

[bruhnaldo]

If only there were a place on this very forum where things like match fixtures and the like could be easily organized and accessible to everyone.......

[Danny]

In about 90 mins John Arne

[Waffdon]

Why does Southgate have an issue with Maddison? Rice/Winks is grim.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If football was as easy as selecting the most exciting flair player in every position then we wouldn't need managers.

[Waffdon]

Pick him over Chamberlain then. Rice/Winks don’t compliment each other whatsoever though, that was my point.

Not sure how Hudson Odoi has managed to sneak a spot.

[mugbull]

Also Maddison is an enormous cunt and sociopath, apparently. Probably something to do with that.

[Waffdon]

What half decent player isn’t a cunt?

[Shindig]

James Milner.

[Lewis]

He seems like a bit of a whopper, but where does 'sociopath' come in?

[Max Power]

He buys some expensive clothes tbf. Always thought he came across very likeable whenever I’ve seen him interviewed.

[mugbull]

There was a Reddit thread recently where a bunch of supporters of clubs he'd been loan farmed out to earlier in his career contributed story after story about how shitty he was. I have not independently verified their claims, though I do have a team working on that and we'll get back with confirmation asap

I say sociopath just because he looks (and acts) so friendly and charming otherwise

[John Arne]

In about 90 mins John Arne

Cheers. Livescore.com had it at 00:00 my time, but the day after tomorrow, whilst they usually organized it by match night.

[Waffdon]

Alexander-Arnold when someone is running at him is always a funny sight. He’s clueless.

[Manc]

Have we ever had a defence this bad?

[Pleb]

Yes.

[Giggles]

Doherty may have the legs well oiled tonight if there’s to be any width on the right. Though that’s only on the off chance we see any of the ball.


1196494327016574982

[Giggles]

Jeff Hendrick must have photos of Mick McCarthy.

[Giggles]

8 games (2 of which were against Gibraltar) - 6 goals. Wouldn’t score here if they played til this time tomorrow night, let alone get two.

[John Arne]

87,000 expected tonight for Malaysia v Indonesia. When full, the Bukit Jalil stadium absolutely rocks - and the two teams hate each other. Should he cracker.

Elsewhere, Vietnam host Thailand Infront of 42,000 at My Dinh. A win for Vietnam will almost guarantee a first ever appearance in the third qualifying round. These are the games VN used to bottle... However, under Park Hang-seo, a victory (or draw) isnt too unlikely.

[John Arne]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97lfsoBhw_M

[John Arne]

Thailand win a fucking dodgy penalty.

Đặng Văn Lâm saves 😎

[John Arne]

And now the ref has disallowed a perfectly good Vietnam goal. #corrupt.

[Ian]

Can't see an official attendance yet but seen a journo saying he reckons there can't be more than 10k in Hampden. Ouch.

[phonics]

I know it's massively racist to imply anything but below is a picture of the Ajax v PSV under-15 match.

https://i.imgur.com/8NA5qhN.png

[Disco]

Perhaps he's just much closer to the camera.

[-james-]

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

[Lewis]

At least he got to meet his dad.

[Giggles]

https://media.giphy.com/media/JUCt8vkxia33a/giphy.gif

[John]

Damilola there must have some leap.

[Giggles]

Is O’Neill leaving the northies now or staying on for the playoff?

[Waffdon]

John McGinn for the Balon D’or. What a player

[John]

He is absolutely brilliant. Thank fuck Celtic weren't up for spending that extra half a million quid.

[John]

Bromley had two goals disallowed tonight, the second of which involved their man just chucking it straight into the net from a throw in. :D

[Waffdon]

Gareth Bale dancing with a ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order’ flag is incredible shithousing.

[Mellberg]

He is absolutely brilliant. Thank fuck Celtic weren't up for spending that extra half a million quid.

Forever grateful.

[Smjffy]

Gareth Bale dancing with a ‘Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order’ flag is incredible shithousing.

But in other news, we're going back to the Euro's. :drool:

On Tottenham, I'm not sure I can put up with more Mourinho bollocks and I quite liked Spurs tbh.

[John Arne]

Doan Van Hau doing his best Phil Jones impression...

https://gyazo.com/eb64f47f14a63522a36329faa20c357e.gif

[Giggles]

Who have Slovakia got that’s good? Naturally they’ll be superior to us but have they anyone at big clubs?

[Spikey M]

Hamsik.

[John]

Skriniar at the back is a regular for Inter and Hamsik hasn't long left Napoli for some Chinese coin.

[Spoonsky]

Who have Slovakia got that’s good? Naturally they’ll be superior to us but have they anyone at big clubs?

Albert Rusnak. :cool:

[Giggles]

Jaysus I thought Hamsik was about 45.

[Shindig]

Dubravka, as well.

[Smjffy]

He said big clubs. :henn0rz:

[Shindig]

January's coming. He'll be at one soon enough.

[Spikey M]

Jaysus I thought Hamsik was about 45.

I've no idea how he can be younger than me.

[Disco]

I can think of one way.

[Smjffy]

Euro draw could see a final of top Ireland v bottom Ireland. :drool: I'm so glad we've avoided them but I do think we'll flatter to deceive compared to the last Euro's.

It would also appear I owe Giggs a bit of an apology. Cunt.

[Danny]

Everyone qualifies for the Euros. You can still cling onto it :lol:

[niko_cee]

Wales are surely no worse than they were last time, they still have their star guys and the likes of James and Wilson are better than some of the jokers they had then. That said, I doubt they'll be getting to the semis or turning Belgium over this time, so I guess it depends on how you judge it.

[Giggles]

Everyone qualifies for the Euros. You can still cling onto it :lol:

It really is gone into a load of bollocks. We shouldn’t be anywhere near a chance, never should have risen above 16.

Bosnia look the pick of the 4 in our playoff but if the huns beat them then I just hope we lose in Slovakia because the nordies beat us 9 times out of 10 easily.

[John Arne]

Dortmund 0-3 at home to Paderborn, approaching half time. Hummels legs have gone, and Weigl at centre back is weird.

[Giggles]

It really is gone into a load of bollocks. We shouldn’t be anywhere near a chance, never should have risen above 16.

Bosnia look the pick of the 4 in our playoff but if the huns beat them then I just hope we lose in Slovakia because the nordies beat us 9 times out of 10 easily.

Good spiel on what a shit show it’s become near the end of this. A once great tournament descending into a joke.

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/ewan-mackenna-the-830m-decision-and-snowflaking-of-a-once-great-tournament-38716463.html


.

[mugbull]

You’re the fucking worst

[Smjffy]

Wales are surely no worse than they were last time, they still have their star guys and the likes of James and Wilson are better than some of the jokers they had then. That said, I doubt they'll be getting to the semis or turning Belgium over this time, so I guess it depends on how you judge it.

We're looking much better tbh, aside from 1 or 2 games but given the limited pool of talent at our disposal, we do tend to create some pretty decent players and I reckon we go into this Euro's with a 'stronger' national side. I'd take qualifying from whatever group we're in as a success but then this is only our third major tournament in our entire history and in those we reached the quarters of the World Cup (way before my time, mind) and the semi's of the Euro's. I'd fancy our chances against most if I'm being entirely blinkered but if they score first, we be fucked.

[-james-]

How is Roberto a premier league goalkeeper? He looks straight out of a soccer aid game.

[Waffdon]

His debut when they got pumped 4-0 by a lower league team in the cup was amazing. Didn’t attempt to dive and save any of them.

[Waffdon]

Mourinho is about to turn Aurier into the best right back in the world.

[Shindig]

It's not that often a free transfer fails to justify his price tag.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This might be the end of the road for Mister Pellegrino, and then Jose will go on for the rest of the season about how he got him sacked.

[Gray Fox]

Good to see The Ox getting a start today, though I can't quite figure out where he'll be playing. If it's the bog standard 4-3-3, then LW means Mané moves but I don't think I've ever seen The Ox play RW.
Option there for a 4-4-2 with a diamond too.

Salah making the bench is positive after being in a walking boot last weekend, but I'd wager he'll only feature in an emergency.

[niko_cee]

West Ham should start playing when they go two down next week.

[John]

How is Roberto a premier league goalkeeper? He looks straight out of a soccer aid game.

If he appeared in a Soccer Aid game and someone told you he hosted the Spanish language 'Take Me Out' you wouldn't question it for a second.

[John]

Has Paul Ince always been bong eyed?

[John Arne]

Lino in the Palace-Liverpool game raised his flag for a Palace offside, the ref didn't immediately see it, so it just lowered and everyone played on.

[phonics]

I will never understand when a player runs into a defender and it's a foul and when it's not.

[Gray Fox]

Palace goal ruled out for a very questionable push.

[John Arne]

Aye, I'd be furious if that was the other way round. Very soft.

[Gray Fox]

I can only understand the argument for ruling it out if they've deemed the pushed player would have cleared the flick on, but I don't think so. Daft decision.

[phonics]

Aye, I'd be furious if that was the other way round. Very soft.

You should see the penalty we've just conceded. Makes that look like a shove.

[niko_cee]

2 more managerial vacancies in London incoming at this rate.

[phonics]

Used to be you could rely on Arsenal at home to shit out a win. Now we struggle for a draw. Its a joke.

[phonics]

Arsenal just got a suitably soft penalty but it's ruled out for offside. The games gone. Football is as much if not more of a non-contact sport than Basketball.

[niko_cee]

VAR ruling out Ryan's penalty save is a kick in the fantasy gonads.

[Lofty]

2 more managerial vacancies in London incoming at this rate.

I would hope so but our board are wank.

[phonics]

VAR ruling out Ryan's penalty save is a kick in the fantasy gonads.

Benched him for Gazzaniga. Everythings coming my way this year.

[Spoonsky]

Weird scene in Arsenal. Seemed like nobody reacted when Lacazette scored.

[Gray Fox]

I think they're at the point where they want worse results so the manager is out quicker.

[Shindig]

I hate playing on Mondays. It feels so far away.

[niko_cee]

Benched him for Gazzaniga. Everythings coming my way this year.

I had the choice of him or Pope and gambled on a 0-0 shitfest in the Brighton game (as I have loads of Leicester defenders as well), the penalty save would have justified it.

[Gray Fox]

I Kanté believe it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lovely stuff. We are so fucking good and Abraham's link up play is beastly.

[Danny]

Neither could he, looked like a kid who didnt understand what he had just done.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That was jammy as fuck. We are by far the superior team.

[Lewis]

'Pep' passing the torch.

[Gray Fox]

Maybe if Chelsea win this Lampard will start getting some recognition.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea’s defence is too shit against half decent teams. That was terrible.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There are another 5-6 goals in this game but City can go fuck themselves. Kanté and Jorginho are owning them.

[niko_cee]

That was a bit easy.

Kanté is such a good player.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Kanté is such a good player.

He's the best that has ever played for Chelsea by a fucking mile. One of the best of the PL era for anyone. Because he's black, small and doesn't score many he doesn't get the credit (although he scores more and more each year).

It's no coincidence that he was there in the supposed 'miracle' Leicester year.

[Lewis]

Calm down you snow bunny.

[Max Power]

We are such a good all round side. Next four look so winnable as well. Table could look very interesting by the time we play Man City and Liverpool either side of Christmas.

[Reg]

I wonder if Kante would be the best goalkeeper in the world too.

Anyone else think that was kind of a poor half, quality wise? De Bruyne and Ederson spanking passes out for throw-ins, Aguero missing a chance he'd usually bury, Willian wasting an even better chance.


Max Power I wasn't there today, did you see the game? Pretty comfortable win?

[Gray Fox]

I hadn't noticed Everton losing 2-0 at home to Norwich.

Rumours that Silva will be out inside the week and Moyes will be back in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I wonder if Kante would be the best goalkeeper in the world too.

Anyone else think that was kind of a poor half, quality wise? De Bruyne and Ederson spanking passes out for throw-ins, Aguero missing a chance he'd usually bury, Willian wasting an even better chance.

Our play was much more precise than theirs until the last 10 minutes. Both teams are playing out from the back in slightly hair-raising fashion which means the game has no real structure. Add in that both teams are severely lacking in calm, experienced leaders and it just gets more and more frenetic. This could finish 3-3, 5-4 Chelsea, 6-2 City or any result really.

[-james-]

City are still the best side in the league. Title race is going down to the wire again.

[Max Power]

I wonder if Kante would be the best goalkeeper in the world too.

Anyone else think that was kind of a poor half, quality wise? De Bruyne and Ederson spanking passes out for throw-ins, Aguero missing a chance he'd usually bury, Willian wasting an even better chance.


Max Power I wasn't there today, did you see the game? Pretty comfortable win?

We absolutely bossed the first half, missed a few chances and after the break Brighton were a bit livelier and pressed higher and we scored on the break during their best spell. Still managed to miss four or five clear cut chances late on and didn’t really concede anything meaningful.

[Waffdon]

City are still the best side in the league. Title race is going down to the wire again.

It’s really not.

[-james-]

It’s really not.

Liverpool are scraping through most of their games and their schedule is bonkers for the next 6 weeks. City have more ways to win games and far better depth. It'll be tight again by the end of January and then City will probably win all of their final 15 games again.

[Lewis]

Liverpool are scraping through most of their games and their schedule is bonkers for the next 6 weeks. City have more ways to win games and far better depth. It'll be tight again by the end of January and then City will probably win all of their final 15 games again.

https://i.ibb.co/vkGHRgh/BNXt9-Cs-CIAAS7bb.jpg

[SincereTheRebel]

Im tired of seeing players turn their back on shots. Facing the ball like a goalkeeper would stop 50% of the goals scored

[Jimmy Floyd]

If City play like they have today they won't get within 15 points of them.

[-james-]

I wouldn't mind if Liverpool won the league, I just don't think it's realistic to expect the chaps at Anfield South to keep disallowing goals against them at the current rate.

[-james-]

There have ever existed very few things that are worse than the Premier League's implementation of VAR.

[Gray Fox]

If Chelsea start figuring out these big games then they'll be challengers.

Interested to see who Lampard goes for when he is allowed to spend.

[Spoonsky]

There have ever existed very few things that are worse than the Premier League's implementation of VAR.

Yep. It's actually killing the joy of the game, and it doesn't need to be like this.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If Chelsea start figuring out these big games then they'll be challengers.

Interested to see who Lampard goes for when he is allowed to spend.

We need a second striker (Batshuayi is a Championship level player in everything but stabbing in loose balls), a left back, and a centre back or a perma fit Rudiger. We also probably need another 2 years of maturity from the likes of Mount, James, Abraham and Tomori. We will also need a replacement for Willian at some point.

Then we'll be challengers. I'm undecided on the goalkeeper, he's a dreamboat and does most things very well but does chuck the odd one in.

[Spoonsky]

Thoughts on Pulisic Jimmy Floyd?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Thoughts on Pulisic Jimmy Floyd?

Absolutely brilliant, love him to bits. His contributions going backwards are somewhat minimal but that's partly the fault of neither of our left backs being able to defend.

[Spoonsky]

That's great. I know he looked a little tentative in the first games but it seems like he's come into his own now.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The way he turns from back-to-goal to drive forward and spins away from people - whilst not quite as devastating as Hazard - is somewhat reminiscent of a more lightweight version of him.

His decision-making is invariably decent as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The Copa Libertadores final is, bizarrely, on BBC2 in a minute. Flamengo v River.

[Offshore Toon]

Copa Libertadores is a lovely little surprise. Hopefully it puts the Champions League to shame.

[Offshore Toon]

The storm troopers made no sense, but I like it. They should just turn it into one massive weird party with a game of football in the middle.

[Giggles]

The stadium looks weird from a photo I seen. Is it an even bigger whore show than Europe for executive boxes, etc?

[Jimmy Floyd]

The whole thing has a very USA 94 feel, led front and centre by the Flamengo manager's hairdo.

[niko_cee]

I just don't think it's realistic to expect the chaps at Anfield South to keep disallowing goals against them at the current rate.

:D

Did the xG not come in again?

[Offshore Toon]

The whole thing has a very USA 94 feel, led front and centre by the Flamengo manager's hairdo.
It did feel very American, especially that band they showed (with no sound) that made me wonder if Bon Jovi was a River fan for a moment.

[Shindig]

Jorge Jesus is a legend, to be fair.

[niko_cee]

Flamengo look a bit of a rabble.

Is Marcelo Gallardo the manager of River (he of next Maradona/Ortega/Aimar fame?). Has Tim 'Coocheen' Vickery been giving them pronunciation notes so it sounds nothing like how you'd expect it to (Gashado?)?

[Shindig]

Aye, I excepted it to be (and have been pronouncing it since 2001/2 as) Guyardo.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Flamengo look a bit of a rabble.

Is Marcelo Gallardo the manager of River (he of next Maradona/Ortega/Aimar fame?). Has Tim 'Coocheen' Vickery been giving them pronunciation notes so it sounds nothing like how you'd expect it to (Gashado?)?

Tim had a little shot piece before the game in which somebody Enrique became 'Iheeky' as per.

It would be Gayardo until you start applying regional accents/dialects. Like the difference between saying Newcahstle and Newcassle.

[Bob Sacamano]

Gilbert Silva with the excellent analayis of passion and who wants it more.

I want Roy Keanes reaction to Jesus snogging the face of Enzo Perez pre match, he'd be fuming.

[niko_cee]

Bloody hell, that escalated quickly.

Put the statue on hold Marcelo.

[Giggles]

It’s all unravelling to shite now.

[Offshore Toon]

That was everything I initially expected, but all condensed inside five minutes at the end. Amazing.

[Shindig]

The most South American climax.

[niko_cee]

I reckon playing Flamengo in Qatar (?) will be more entertaining than having to deal with "Gashado's" well-drilled shitkickers.

I assume the Diego they brought on is the Diego of Santos wonderkid heritage.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Referee really came to the party in injury time with his flamboyant multi-carding, well done him and see you at the World Cup.

[Gray Fox]

Southampton should have had 5 or 6 by the looks of this.

[Smjffy]

We were fortunate to win today but you take three points however they come at the moment. Aguero getting injured for City is pretty shit as I like him but it's just another thing that seems to have fallen in our favor. If we ease to this title it's going to be the most unLiverpool like way. Something has got to be brewing, hasn't it?

I thought Tottenham would win against West Ham and wild carded the fantasy football to include their two centre backs and keeper so to concede two is pretty shit. Vardy striking again for Leicester means they are our main challengers but I still don't see where we would be dropping the points. It all seems too good to be true.

[Adam]

My first away game following Bolton for 2 years my last away game we lost 4-0 vs.Rothetham. We went 1 better this time and lost 7-1 😂 for fuck sake.

[mugbull]

Jimmy’s having a mid-life rejuvenation or something. He used to be the most negative person on the board, now it seems he loves everyone and everything. Maybe coming out helped the matter

[niko_cee]

Rumours that Silva will be out inside the week and Moyes will be back in.

If they could see their way clear to sacking him after losing the derby then that would be much appreciated. Looking at their next 5 fixtures it's hard to see how he makes it to Christmas in post.

[Mellberg]

If they didn't have that run of fixtures he'd probably be gone. No point in killing your new manager with that start.

[John Arne]

Al-Hilal just beat Urawa 3-0 on aggregate to lift the Asian Champions League. Al-Hilal's frontline is Gomis and Giovinco :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

The left side of Man U's defence is like one of those paper walls that the contenders used to smash through at the end of the eliminator on Gladiators. Jones may be a calamity but the boy at left back might as well have sent a picture of himself.

[bruhnaldo]

Not sure if I'll ever get used to being a mid-table side like this. I get irrationally pissed off just the same as each week goes by despite this really and honestly being our level

[Jimmy Floyd]

I used to enjoy it in the pre-Abramovich times when our level was basically 5th-9th. You win enough games that it isn't a complete slog watching the team, and then you're just about good enough that if you catch a top team on a bad day you can do them one and it feels like a miracle (we used to lol our way to wins at Old Trafford on a semi-regular basis). Then you just have to take the occasional 4-1 losses to Charlton like a man.

Man U fans of a certain age have been brought up on pissing the title every year, so it's probably harder to take going in the other direction.

[SincereTheRebel]

Is this john fleck, the john fleck from high new zealand. FM legend?

[Lewis]

Smallpockets IN.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's time for the driver to retire.

[thommo]

This is United's level now. Mid-table side with a mediocre manager.

[Waffdon]

Wilder is a visionary. What a manager.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Andreas Pereira should get a normal job because he has no business playing football.

[Waffdon]

At least his real name is amazing. Hugo Hoelgebaum.

[bruhnaldo]

I don't understand how Pereira gets games. He's never once done anything.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I was going to say that everyone else is injured but Garner is on the bench, he should be playing.

[Shindig]

This is United's level now. Mid-table side with a mediocre manager.

Steve Bruce's next job.

[Gray Fox]

Big Sam is available.

[Mike]

How far United have fallen really is heart warming stuff. :lol:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Cracking strike by Williams.

[bruhnaldo]

That was some rip.

Good on Dan James btw. Could literally see him think about playing it back and said man for fuck sake I've got to do something and sure enough leads to that.

[Waffdon]

Lol. Ooops.

[bruhnaldo]

Now get a 3rd you cunts.

[Mike]

Haha oh eck

[Shindig]

Binman, taking out the trash.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's sorted out his steering.

[mugbull]

James has been absolutely bossing every game i’ve watched him play in this season, he’s phenomenal isn’t he

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fair play to the hologram at left back, if he hadn't struck that ball like that on the drop then it would have ended 2 or 3-0. Questionable why he is playing left back though given that and the fact he has turned onto his right peg 100% of the time.

[Ian]

This is like the glory days of Fellainimania, this.

[Waffdon]

If this gets disallowed, cancel football full stop.

[randomlegend]

Fair play to the hologram at left back, if he hadn't struck that ball like that on the drop then it would have ended 2 or 3-0. Questionable why he is playing left back though given that and the fact he has turned onto his right peg 100% of the time.

He's right-footed but plays at left back (I'm not going to say "always has done" since I don't know what he played when he was 15, but that's his usual position). He's also been good since he's come in.

[bruhnaldo]

This is like the glory days of Fellainimania, this.

Sure is.

[bruhnaldo]

If this gets disallowed, cancel football full stop.

Totally agree, that's a perfectly good goal.

[Boydy]

Even though the goal stood, VAR fucking ruined that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's right-footed but plays at left back (I'm not going to say "always has done" since I don't know what he played when he was 15, but that's his usual position). He's also been good since he's come in.

I'd want my full back to at least be able to go on the outside at some stage. It can be helpful defensively against the cut-inside merchants though.

[randomlegend]

I'd want my full back to at least be able to go on the outside at some stage. It can be helpful defensively against the cut-inside merchants though.

Yeah it's certainly unusual.

[randomlegend]

I have no idea why we put a third centre back on again after going 3-2 up. We were all over them before, then that just invites pressure on and we concede again.

[Danny]

We were also shit the whole time we played that way

[SincereTheRebel]

Meanwhile in Rome. Smaldini scored and got two assists in a 3-0 win.

[Reg]

Andreas Pereira should get a normal job because he has no business playing football.

I don't understand how Pereira gets games. He's never once done anything.
I think he's been good recently and could be a really good player, but a midfield two of him and Fred should probably never happen again.

Bit negative from Solskjaer that. What kind of message does telling them to sit off against Sheffield United send?

[niko_cee]

That they're shit.

[Lewis]

He is 'tidy' but an absolute fanny. His 'Preseason Pirlo' nickname is incredibly fitting.

[randomlegend]

Meanwhile in Rome. Smaldini scored and got two assists in a 3-0 win.

I dunno if you've actually seen them, but they are the most ratchet collections of goals/assists you've ever seen.

[SincereTheRebel]

They all count lad.

[Giggles]

It’s ratchet good or bad? My initial thought was the former until Sincere posted.

[randomlegend]

Bad

[bruhnaldo]

Ratchet is like "ghetto" or improperly done more or less.

"Damn, I broke the zipper on my jeans."
"Here, just glue them together for now."
"Wtf? That's so ratchet."

[Smjffy]

Was Woodward really arguing with Alex Ferguson and Gill in the stands?

[Lewis]

Word.

[Kikó]

Tuanzebe coming on probably made sense as we had 5 forwards on which was probably a bit OTT. OGS would have been given stick the other way as well.

He made a mistake starting Jones today but rectified it and then for keeping Pereira on for more than 30 minutes. Fred did well enough. Williams struggled today with the intensity but came into it second half. Take the point but we are desperate for an actual centre mid or two to add to McTominnay and (er probably) Fred*.

*Not counting Pogba as he's barely ever fit.

[bruhnaldo]

"barely ever fit" is an interesting way to describe the situation. The mans been off gallivanting in Miami on vacation in the middle of the season. "Fit" or not that surely makes no sense if he's anywhat in our plans.

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50550954

"It was clearly a joke said as a paradox."

wat.

[bruhnaldo]

I didn't realize that was the former Leeds owner saying all that lol ffs.

[Lewis]

It's a pretty good response to all the press bullshit.

[Lofty]

Emery sacking imminent and Nuno Espirito Santo bookies favourite to replace him out of seemingly nowhere.

[phonics]

Emery sacking imminent and Nuno Espirito Santo bookies favourite to replace him out of seemingly nowhere.

I've seen absoultely none of this. I just did a search on Twitter and the only people 'reporting' it are linking to/posting logos of bookmakers.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yids, lol.

[phonics]

Is the slur necessary?

[Giggles]

Is the slur necessary?

They call themselves that so probably no need for the outrage.

[mo]

They call themselves that so probably no need for the outrage.

Irrelevant, but carry on.

[Giggles]

We’ve another one. In fairness phonics was probably getting lonely up there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That VAR decision in the Madrid/PSG game was horseshit. That's never a foul on Marcelo.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Chelsea Twitter for the last six months has been an open battlefield based entirely around the 'Y-word'.

The protagonists. On the the progressive side: Dan Levene, a minor journalist and Chelsea fan of Jewish background who goes to every Chelsea game as press and live tweets the action, mostly in earnest. However, whenever he hears one of the two terrace songs that include the word 'Yid' referring to Tottenham Hotspur, or the one song that includes the word 'pikeys' referring to West Ham, he posts tweets like this:

1192025720819720192

He has cautious support from the more luvvie end of Chelsea Twitter. However, his bitter enemies, much like the Night King's Army of the Dead, are the endless rump of core Chelsea supporters who follow him around calling him 'nonce', claiming that he is himself a racist as he once posted tweets lolling at the songs concerned, claiming he is a conspiracist working against Our Club, or deploying various other common abuse techniques in the same vein. 'Fuck Dan Levene' has even become a regular rondo amongst the away support. He responds by quote tweeting his enemies, calling them racists and trying to @ their employers, if available.

It's a wholly dignified war that will rage on until the end of time. I think I'm a neutral, broadly, hiding in Chelsea Switzerland swilling on flat Singha beer.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Real Madrid giving up a 2 goal lead in 2 minutes, ha.

[Pen]

Last fifteen minutes were pretty great.

[bruhnaldo]

wait pikey is a slur?

[phonics]

wait pikey is a slur?

It's a word for a gypsy. I don't think you have them over there.

[phonics]

If you just count Bundesliga and Champions League, Lewandowski has scored 26 goals in 17 games.

[John]

Different level of course but Erling Haaland is only nineteen and has the same number of goals in one more game.

[Shindig]

Kind of makes me wonder how obscene Ronaldo's goal tally would look if he stayed in Portugal.

[Kikó]

1199720017279029248?s=20

Seriously fat man.

[Ian]

Pure muscle.

[mugbull]

Who cares about “yids” actually

[Waffdon]

Be great if Chelsea let Reece James take set pieces. His crossing is on another level.

[Waffdon]

Christensen/Zouma is a Championship level partnership as well. Grim.

[randomlegend]

When people were calling him fat in the summer he posted a topless photo showing he's evidently not.

[Waffdon]

The fact that was even given as a penalty :D

[Waffdon]

Kepa is an absolute calamity. What the fuck was that m. Hahahaha.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Can Napoli play Liverpool every week?

[bruhnaldo]

This nerd sprinting to the locker room lol

[Gray Fox]

Another goal conceded first. Another one with this stupid high line at fault. Another poor first half.

I can't wait to see it all again against Brighton.

[Boydy]

Get Oxlade-Chamberlain on.

[Boydy]

Also Alexander-Arnold for down the right. Not sure Gomez was the right choice for this game.

[Mike]

Not great this.

[John]

Ziyech is a wonderful player.

[Gray Fox]

Napoli have made this so fucking boring.

Hopefully we kick on now.

[Boydy]

Salah holding Koulibaly off, fucking hell.

[John]

Will only make it more laughable next time he falls over because little Ryan Fraser burped in his direction.

That's some hit from Sancho.

[Smjffy]

I would have much rather have put it to bed tonight but alas it wasn't to be. We'll have enough to qualify but a missed opportunity to make December a little 'easier'.

[Kikó]

When people were calling him fat in the summer he posted a topless photo showing he's evidently not.

He's evidently overweight.

[John Arne]

We (Liverpool) are close to going on 4 or 5 game winless run. I fear that Klopps lack of rotation, particularly at FB and upfront will cost us. Salah and Robertson carrying quite serious knocks. Add Fabinho to that list now. TAA looks shot, and Henderson just doesn't have the drive anymore.

Still, top of the league.

[Manc]

Poch in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We were laughably naive last night and fortunate not to lose.

[Gray Fox]

We (Liverpool) are close to going on 4 or 5 game winless run. I fear that Klopps lack of rotation, particularly at FB and upfront will cost us. Salah and Robertson carrying quite serious knocks. Add Fabinho to that list now. TAA looks shot, and Henderson just doesn't have the drive anymore.

Still, top of the league.

We're fine. There's just a couple of little things to iron out.

I'm really not sold on this high line for example. I understand it allows Trent and Robertson to bomb on and pin teams back, but as seen last night it can be vulnerable to a well timed run in behind. Though they were lucky Van Dijk was down and the ball went right into the gap he'd have been in.

From there we were left with the Brexit midfield of old trying to break a team down, which as we know it can't do. This is the perfect time to bring the likes of Ox, Lallana and Keita into the fold and maybe go back to more of an open style. Shaqiri coming back now is well timed too.

Last night just looked worse than it was due to Napoli having no intentions on winning the game once the scores were level. It was all about not losing.

The next 4 league games are Brighton, Everton, Bournemouth and Watford with the trip to the south coast being the only one away. That Watford game could be an opportunity for rest. You could also make a case to take the kids/reserves over to Qatar. The ones who dont travel would then get 9 days rest after the Villa game.

I really think we need to be looking to buy during January. Some rotation options at full back would ease things massively. Gomez is just not a full time right back I'm afraid.

[Manc]

Gomez is all brawn no brain. Shouldn't be near the first eleven in all honesty.

[niko_cee]

He does seem to be regressing at an alarming rate, not that he should really be playing on the right at all.

[Gray Fox]

It's also a lot to do with who he's playing against. He does his defensive duties at RB quite well as you'd expect, however looks lost when he pushes beyond the halfway line. Against a team that was always going to look to absorb pressure, he is of little use.

Breaking his leg last season hasn't helped at all. But if given a run at CB again we could see him back to his best. It's no coincidence to me that his best form came after a full pre season and then long runs in the team at CB.

[Manc]

His positioning is incredibly poor.

[Smjffy]

As nice as it would be for Gomez to rediscover his past form, it's important to recognize it will be difficult to replace VVD now that the world class Lovren has returned.

[Ian]

Lee Grant must be fuming that he's not only having to actually play a game but that he's having to fly a bazillion miles to do it.

[Kikó]

Manc Sean is currently freezing his nuts off in Kazakhstan.

[Lewis]

Maybe that's the answer to his old signature.

[Ian]

I'm looking through the United website profiles of these players. I'm liking that we have a player called "Largie" and also that Max Taylor's bio starts with "Formerly known as Max Dunne, his name was changed to Max Taylor from February 2019."

Thanks for that, guys, that's really all I wanted to know.

[Ian]

Astana must be shit if they've allowed Lingard (not Astana, as I initially typed :face:) to do a thing.

[Giggles]

Feyenoord Rangers looks the pick of what Virgin is showing anyway. Some difference in atmosphere to the Wolves game.

[SincereTheRebel]

You forget the Braga stadium is built into a mountain. It's like playing PES4 with maniche, scoring screamers from 30 yards.

[Giggles]

You forget the Braga stadium is built into a mountain. It's like playing PES4 with maniche, scoring screamers from 30 yards.

The lack of any supporters is a bigger factor than a mountain.

[John]

We've been dire.

[John]

That's more like it. Alfredo Morelos is a machine.

[John]

Unfortunately Filip Helander is a comedian.