Merry Christmas...it's December Football 2019

[Pleb]

Where the fuck has this year gone?

What's happening this month? Club World Cup and Premier League memes I'm assuming.

[bruhnaldo]

God damnit.

[Spikey M]

Justice 4 Ian.

[Pleb]

At least I gave him a month off.

[thommo]

Took 2 minutes to trigger bruh. :D

[Giggles]

Took 2 minutes to trigger bruh. :D

That’s about 100 seconds longer than normal.

[Gray Fox]

I demand a referendum on the creation of the monthly football threads.

[bruhnaldo]

Took 2 minutes to trigger bruh. :D

Bro all month I'm like "aw yea I'm gonna make the December thread and it's gonna be sooo good" and then of course the weekend came and well, I don't think about TTH outside of when I'm at work, so...

I'm very disappointed, though.

[SincereTheRebel]

Adama's lack of running off the ball is embarrassing. A Right wing-back in Doherty is more of a threat running into the box, compared to Adama.

[Giggles]

Adama's lack of running off the ball is embarrassing. A Right wing-back in Doherty is more of a threat running into the box, compared to Adama.

Do you mean Traore or do you know him?

[John]

Do you mean Traore or do you know him?

He has Adama on the back of his shirt. Not a Mahow situation.

[Giggles]

He has Adama on the back of his shirt. Not a Mahow situation.

Ah. I notice a lot of them at that now.

[Ian]

Alright my epic V League OP will have to wait until January.

Pleb has put the appropriate amount of fixtures in the OP though so credit for that.

[Gray Fox]

Apparently the Ballon d'Or results have leaked already and will be:

1. Messi
2. Van Dijk
3. Salah

[Smjffy]

Apparently the Ballon d'Or results have leaked already and will be:

1. Messi
2. Van Dijk
3. Salah

Welcome to last week. :thbup: It isn't even that important but it would have been nice for VVD to mix things up. Salah....whatevs. Mane is/was more important.

[Ian]

Yeah, Fox, you fucking idiot. There's only like six things on the internet at a given time I can't believe you missed it.

That's my worst poster nomination sorted.

[Smjffy]

You should nominate him for his pessimism regarding Liverpool tbf as it's getting a little annoying. We've been as good as we have been in my entire lifetime and yet he still can't seem to enjoy it. I found him insufferable at times in last months thread. I remember Hodgson, Konchesky, Poulsen and co. Nothing will ever be as bad as that period.

[Gray Fox]

Winning an award. :cool:

[mugbull]

Smiffy for biggest 6 year old

[bruhnaldo]

Did Messi even play well last year I really have no idea.

[Gray Fox]

If by play well you mean scored more goals than anyone else, then yes.

Messi probably does deserve it, but I can't state enough how good Van Dijk has been. Salah in 3rd does raise some eyebrows. It does show how much sway winning the Champions League has on this though.

[Smjffy]

Smiffy for biggest 6 year old

Six you say...

[phonics]

People say that these digital companies are entering the network and forcing fans to buy yet another subscription for no reason at all. Ignoring all the innovation that the Silicon Valley mindset can bring.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EKuI3M2WoAAVEAI.jpg

Savage AND Sherwood? Praise Jeff Bezos.

[bruhnaldo]

So it's like NFL Red Zone except with a bunch of people who think we want to hear about their opinions

[Gray Fox]

Considering most of the names from 20-11, Mahrez still being in the top 10 of this is confusing.

[Shindig]

Boston or Rochdale at home. I'm happy it isn't Notts Forest or Leicester.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The last time we had an FA Cup draw that wasn't at home to a Championship side was 1967/68.

[niko_cee]

2nd Merseyside derby in 3 years in the third round.

Meanwhile City get a walk in the park against some lower league muppets.

Plus ça change etc.

[phonics]

2nd Merseyside derby in 3 years in the third round.

Meanwhile City get a walk in the park against some lower league muppets.

Plus ça change etc.

It's getting harder to say that it's not a fix. I don't remember a top team playing a top team on the first day of the league my entire life. It was always, more than likely Title winner v promoted team and some no mark matches. Now we've had Arsenal v Liverpool, Arsenal v City, City v Chelsea, United v Chelsea etc. The fixture computer is not neutral.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yep and they never play each other on the last day either (I think 88/89 was postponed).

We had United this season, write your own joke here.

[Smjffy]

It's getting harder to say that it's not a fix. I don't remember a top team playing a top team on the first day of the league my entire life. It was always, more than likely Title winner v promoted team and some no mark matches. Now we've had Arsenal v Liverpool, Arsenal v City, City v Chelsea, United v Chelsea etc. The fixture computer is not neutral.

Isn't it more with how fixtures are created? It's not generated at random, I thought we were all aware of that. Liverpool and Everton can't play at home on same day for example or clubs not being able to play home or away more than twice in succession etc.

[Shindig]

I'd love to know they come up with it. Like, what actual things do they consider when putting it together. Atos also handles the Aviva Premiership fixtures as well. I'm guessing there's policing considerations and good old capitalism involved.

[Smjffy]

Lifted straight off the Premier League site.


Producing the full Premier League fixture list for 2018/19 is no random draw.

It is the result of a meticulous and painstaking process that lasts almost half a year and involves the scheduling of 2,036 matches across the top four divisions in England.

The man behind the list is Glenn Thompson, of Atos, a veteran compiler who has collated about 60,000 matches since taking on the role in 1992.

He explains how the list is compiled.

When does the work on the next season's fixture list start?

Glenn Thompson: At the start of the year. That's when I get the playing dates from the Premier League.

The whole thing is built up putting in the international dates from FIFA, then the European club competitions, then the Football Association adds in the dates for its competitions and what you are left with are the dates when you can play league and League Cup matches.

What is "sequencing"?

That's the methodology we use which is all about breaking the season down into a number of constituent parts, which are called sets. We break it down into five sets, which are reversed in the second half of the season.

Are there any rules you have to adhere to?

There are the "golden rules" of sequencing. In any five matches there should be a split of three home fixtures, two away, or the other way around.

Wherever possible a club will not have more than two home or away matches in a row, and will be home and away around FA Cup ties.

We will also strive to prevent any club from having to start or finish the season with two home or two away matches because it would be unfair for a team to finish with two aways, especially if they are looking for points.

Around the Christmas period, if you are at home on Boxing Day you will be away on New Year's Day, or the equivalent date. And we will also try to maintain a Saturday home-away sequence throughout the season wherever possible.

Do clubs from the same area play at home on the same day?

Most clubs will have a partner club they cannot clash with. There are the obvious ones – Manchester United and Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton – and then when you get into London it gets a bit more complex and less obvious.

What happens next?

Around March, the Premier League sends to each of its member clubs a form asking them to fill in three things: 1) Are there any dates you wish not to be at home? That is answered in conjunction with the local police. 2) Which club do you want to pair with? 3) Are there any teams you do not wish to play at home on Boxing Day?

Can you satisfy all of the requests?

From looking at the sequence we know how many of these dates we can meet. When we can't, the Premier League will ask the club which of the requests are most important.
We cannot accommodate everything but, on average, we satisfy higher than 85 per cent every year.

[phonics]

And that's put into an algorithm that then generates a random sequences which they then spin until they get the one they want.

It's not that bloke picking the games every year :cab:

[Pleb]

Arselol against Leeds?

Memes.

[Smjffy]

Is the football on Amazon solely for December or is this now a permanent thing?

[Mike]

I think they have this set of midweek fixtures and then the Boxing Day ones this year. Got it on now, can’t fault the picture quality!

[John]

They bought a couple of packages as a foot in the door, but they can blow everyone else out of the water financially to such an extent that it wouldn't be surprising if they took the lot.

I'd missed Andre Vilas Boas taking over Marseille. Wasn't he a rally driver last year?

[Smjffy]

I think they have this set of midweek fixtures and then the Boxing Day ones this year. Got it on now, can’t fault the picture quality!

I thought as much as I could only see those fixtures. I like the fact you can click through stats and analysis whilst watching, see player information, starting line ups and hopefully the highlights tab is for replays that can view during the games. It all rests on the common potato's at this point as I much prefer streaming than finding a TV.

[Smjffy]

I'd missed Andre Vilas Boas taking over Marseille. Wasn't he a rally driver last year?

I clocked that whilst reading something on Marseilles improvement lately. I had no idea where he went after Spurs but to learn it was to Russia then China then France is a bit of a weird movement and he's still so young he could have at least another 15/20 years globetrotting.

[Max Power]

Peter Drury and Jim Beglin on comms. Shades of the lesser of two Champions League semi finals on ITV 15 years ago.

[Shindig]

Alright, the Pro Evolution Soccer dream team. At least until John Champion came along and ruined it with his shouting of the players' names.

[Smjffy]

Gabriel Jesus....what a cunt. I backed him in the Brazil/Argentina match and he missed a penalty, perhaps one of the most shittest penalties of the year. Tonight, I thought fuck no am I getting on him as FG so of course he goes and scores a right proper goal.

It has potential to kick off this match.

[niko_cee]

That's some hit by Rodri.

[Smjffy]

Aye but it was just your standard 'thump'. I only value such goals if a) it's from us and b) it's at least 40+ yards out.

Palace winning with ten men to climb to 5th place is perhaps the biggest WTF moment of the evening.

[thommo]

Alright, the Pro Evolution Soccer dream team. At least until John Champion came along and ruined it with his shouting of the players' names.

Peter Brackley and Trevor Brooking were the real PES commentator kings.

[Smjffy]

Chelsea to catch Villa off guard.
Leicester to beat Watford in a tighter match than expected.
Tottenham to absolutely rinse Man United with that line up.
Southampton to come unstuck to plucky Norwich could and probably should see another managerial change.
Wolves to continue their good run of form with a 2-0 win against West Ham.
Liverpool obviously to take a point in a drab 0-0'er but it would be funny if we scored early and battered them thus meaning Silva leaves and Everton go back in for Moyes.

[Vercetti]

Sherwood sitting there talking about players hitting other players with "diags".

Fuck off.

[-james-]

I reckon United will win tonight.

[Smjffy]

I just seen that run of fixtures that Everton have...ouch.

:D And I've seen out line up. :lol:

[Giggles]

I reckon United will win tonight.

Hopefully. I’d say Mourinho is absolutely dying for this one, would be great to see him back in his box.

[Mike]

Our line up is boss!

[Vercetti]

Sue Smith commentating on the West Ham game.

She reckons even Chelsea fans will have had a tear in their eye when David Martin hugged his dad on Saturday.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Dodgy keeper alert.

[Giggles]

That said, any desire for Utd to ever win goes out the window as soon as you see a smile on the face of that vermin Lingard.

[Smjffy]

:moop: He's my FF keeper along with both Spurs centrebacks. FML.

[Smjffy]

That said, any desire for Utd to ever win goes out the window as soon as you see a smile on the face of that vermin Lingard.

I imagine it will be gone by full time despite the early goal.

[randomlegend]

That goalkeeping :D

[Smjffy]

I thought when United signed James they would kill his career but the more I watch him constantly picking himself up the more I'm convinced the kill will be an actual death.

:moop: Get out of there, ya twat.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was a very special corner.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The way he hits those is incredible.

[randomlegend]

Rashford's got his shooting boots on tonight. That would've been a stunning goal.

This team would transform with a decent number 10 instead of Lingard or fucking Pereira.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We are a completely different side with Tammy Abraham in it - the link up play, and the finishing, are light years ahead of Batshuayi or Giroud. I can't believe how much I underestimated him prior to this season.

[Smjffy]

He's likeable too which is a first for Chelsea strikers.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Vardy got booked for diving despite being a definite penalty.

VAR fucked him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was quality by Alli tbf.

All over them and we've fucked it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's likeable too which is a first for Chelsea strikers.

If you didn't like the Drog you had a bad war.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's technically handball by the rules.

[randomlegend]

Ali is a horrible little rat cunt, but that was brilliantly done.

[mugbull]

Ali is a horrible little rat cunt

What a weird opinion to hold

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a weird opinion to hold

It's completely accurate.

[Spikey M]

Are you confusing him with Ashley Young?

[Giggles]

They don’t get much more rat cunty than Alli in fairness.

[Mike]

That pass from Mane! And of course our Divock scores

[Jimmy Floyd]

Mané should be footballer of the year shouldn't he? I bet they give it to Salah or van Dijk.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was lovely by Mane.

[Smjffy]

If you didn't like the Drog you had a bad war.

Drogba was up there with Henry, not in terms of quality but because him V Carragher was always a no contest.

EDIT: Before Evertons goal we have been so good.

[Giggles]

Lol if that’s given. Yellow for Rashford all day.

[Jimmy Floyd]

For some reason it has just struck me at this point that 'Hotspur' is a really weird word to have as the second half of a team name.

[Smjffy]

Oh my. :drool: Origi.

[Mike]

Divock, again. Proper lovely stuff

[Vercetti]

If someone told me that Declan Rice had special needs, I wouldn't bat an eyelid.

[Lewis]

Mike posting about Liverpool is worse than Liverpool being good.

[Mike]

Mane, obvs.

;)

[Smjffy]

All four of our goals have been sex.

That was so comfortable but these shitty goals we keep conceding is annoying. I doubt it will cost us all too much as we're too good going forward too but meh.

Three points is all that matters for this month.

[Giggles]

Mike posting about Liverpool is worse than Liverpool being good.

Mike posting at all is worse than Ebola.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's going to finish 5-5.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Mike posting at all is worse than Ebola.

:D

[Smjffy]

Top Ireland hates Baz, Bottom Ireland hates Mike? Or vice versa?

[Mike]

It's going to finish 5-5.
Nah, Firmino winner off the bench.

[mugbull]

2nd half has been atrocious to watch

[Jimmy Floyd]

We're now six clear of fifth-placed Wolves, this is going to be one of the dullest second halves to a season in living memory. Even Leicester can play the kids now really.

[Waffdon]

Dele Alli under Mourinho :drool:

[randomlegend]

Donning Mourinho feels good.

[Lewis]

Ole Gunnar Binman safe, Paulp Ogba comes back, goes on a mad one, they start to threaten the top four, then he stops bothering to save himself for international duty, come sixth, miss out on their main transfer targets...

[bruhnaldo]

Pretty much.

[Smjffy]

Fantastic result, very good performance and with Bournemouth and Watford next up in the league. :drool:

This evening got me proper giddy for the first time so now we're going to turn to shit, right?

[Mike]

At least now we know who to blame if it does :lol:

[Smjffy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xTBTOHmoEQ

[Lewis]

1202377041393389575

:lol:

[Smjffy]

:D Jesus Christ. They don't even attempt to hide it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Italians and Spaniards have no clue.

[SincereTheRebel]

That's fake because Italian newspapers are pink.

[Shindig]

Nope, it's legit. Gazetta dello Sport is the only sports paper in Italy that uses pink paper.

Also, those fucking hoofs from Liverpool. Precise as fuck.

[Smjffy]

Alisson, Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Lovren, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Gomez, Adrian, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lallana, Lonergan, Shaqiri, Brewster, Robertson, Origi, Jones, Alexander-Arnold, Elliott, Williams.

So that's the squad we're taking to the World Club Championship thingamajig which really seriously begs the question as to what our line up is going to be against Villa because quite frankly, I can think of maybe three of that potential line up. Clear where our priority lies but it's a quarter final of a cup comp so I would have preferred a bit more experience. It looks like we're going to stick out the entire U23/18's for it and Villa aren't that bad tbf to the twats.

[Yevrah]

It's the league cup, you're arguably the best side in the world at the moment and World Club Championship would be a nice addition.

[Ian]

Plus you don't get a chance to win that every year. No-brainer.

[igor_balis]

If I was a liverpool fan I wouldn't give the slightest shit about the fa cup or even the champions league this season, let alone the league cup. Prem or bust.

[phonics]

“Digital platforms? I would say dustbins. Made up of noble grudges. Cheap indignation. A nice thought a day keeps the doctor away.
“Armies of right-minded people flock to the web these days to die their beautiful souls white.
“Having identified the racist on duty, go, two strokes on the keyboard… you feel yourself to be a better man in a better world.
“White, black, yellow. Denying the difference is the typical obvious stumbling block of anti-racism racism.
“Black Friday… was and is only the praise of difference, the pride of difference, the magnificent wealth of difference.
“Transformed into poison by those who have the poison inside.”

It's you who is the racists...

[Gray Fox]

Club World Cup would be good for marketing purposes, but beyond that fuck the domestic cups off.

Pile everything into the league and Champions League.

[Smjffy]

It's the league cup, you're arguably the best side in the world at the moment and World Club Championship would be a nice addition.

No doubts it would be a nice addition. I just assumed we would leave 3/4 who at least have first team experience. Lallana, Shaq etc probably won't even be used over there.


Plus you don't get a chance to win that every year. No-brainer.

This is true but then we've just had a good the piss taken out of us for nearly a decade for winning just one trophy so it would have been nice to take all competitions seriously as honestly, I reckon we'd have a chance in each and every one of them.


If I was a liverpool fan I wouldn't give the slightest shit about the fa cup or even the champions league this season, let alone the league cup. Prem or bust.

The Premier League is obviously the one we want but we're a big club and big clubs should contest multiple honours. I expect our U23/18's to give Villa a game but given you then get the chance to face either Man United/Man City or Everton in a semi or final, it just feels a bit meh as those are the games you want. Watch Leicester win the thing now.

[niko_cee]

I would think some of that Liverpool squad will play against Villa and then travel out for the second game (is there definitely a second game or do you need to win the first?).

Either that or b-team versus whoever in the world club thing and youth team and Adrian against Villa and rest the first XI.

[Smjffy]

Our first game is the semi final but truth be told, I didn't think about a few flying out after the Villa game as we play the very next day.

[-james-]

Apparently they need to be in Qatar 48 hours before the first match so that's a no-go.

It'll be word from up high that's made them send a real squad. Global fanbases couldn't give a fuck about the League Cup but there is great glory in defeating Al Sadd and whatever Mexican side is there this year.

[Yeldoow]

So that's the squad we're taking to the World Club Championship thingamajig which really seriously begs the question as to what our line up is going to be against Villa because quite frankly, I can think of maybe three of that potential line up. Clear where our priority lies but it's a quarter final of a cup comp so I would have preferred a bit more experience. It looks like we're going to stick out the entire U23/18's for it and Villa aren't that bad tbf to the twats.

I'd have thought Brewster, Jones, Elliott and Williams at least would have played against Villa. I can't see them getting on the pitch in Qatar so it seems a waste to take them.

[niko_cee]

They'll probably get a game in the semi against whichever goat herders they're playing.

[niko_cee]

Apparently they need to be in Qatar 48 hours before the first match so that's a no-go.


Shit.

League cup team: Kelleher, Hoever, Van Den Berg, ????, Larouci/Lewis, Chiravella, erm, after that I'm out. They're going to get butchered.

[John Arne]

They'll probably get a game in the semi against whichever goat herders they're playing.

Likely to be Monterrey from Mexico. They are probably pretty decent. Pepe ?

[-james-]

Monterrey would finish bottom of their group in the European Champions League. Flamengo are probably about as good as Arsenal.

They'll probably play both games at 50% and it'll just end up being a week long training camp

[Smjffy]

Shit.

League cup team: Kelleher, Hoever, Van Den Berg, ????, Larouci/Lewis, Chiravella, erm, after that I'm out. They're going to get butchered.

Glatzel up top. Kane in the middle. Do we still have Clyne or is he injured, sold or dead?

[niko_cee]

He's dead (knee).

[Pepe]

Likely to be Monterrey from Mexico. They are probably pretty decent. Pepe ?

They are no America, but I guess they're alright. Currently in the semifinals of the Mexican league.

[Smjffy]

I hear VVD is having sleepless nights at the thought of marking Vincent Janssen. :D

[Mellberg]

Can't wait to lose to a bunch of 12-year-old scousers.

[Smjffy]

If it's an Anfield we'll just have to rely on the crowd to suck a few balls in for us.

As expected, Silva has been sacked. Another interesting and quite startling fact, Evertons starting line up cost more than ours last night. :D

[phonics]

How much do you think Grealish will set someone back if he goes? Is his contract solid enough for people to get their pants pulled down?

[John Arne]

Grealish strikes me as a Zaha. Great at a club like Villa, useless at a Top 6 club. Probably a good fit for Arsenal :D

Oh, perhaps 35m?

[phonics]

I thought he wasn’t up to much when he first came through but he’s led that club back from despair. He’s had a lot of responsibility put on him and come through it. I don’t see him as a 10 needing 2 assists every week. He’s just really good at keeping the ball moving through midfield. Can pop it off or drop a shoulder and beat a man.

[Waffdon]

John McGinn should go for double whatever he goes.

[Smjffy]

£35M? Not a chance. Elmohamady says Grealish is the best he has ever played with and Salah is his international team mate so whatever Salah is worth now plus the inevitable English tax so I reckon you're looking at closer to £120M.

[Smjffy]

I thought he wasn’t up to much when he first came through but he’s led that club back from despair. He’s had a lot of responsibility put on him and come through it. I don’t see him as a 10 needing 2 assists every week. He’s just really good at keeping the ball moving through midfield. Can pop it off or drop a shoulder and beat a man.

If he could add more goals to his game then he'd be an shoe in for the national squad, I reckon.

[Shindig]

£35M? Not a chance. Elmohamady says Grealish is the best he has ever played with and Salah is his international team mate so whatever Salah is worth now plus the inevitable English tax so I reckon you're looking at closer to £120M.

Elmohamady has played at such talented hotbeds as Sunderland and Hull.

[niko_cee]

Grealish was making noises about Liverpool the other day, in the context of the position he prefers to play in, so I eagerly await another installment of the "fuck you, pay me" saga.

[Smjffy]

He played under Steve Bruce at Sunderland.
He played under Steve Bruce at Hull.
He played under Steve Bruce at Villa.
The same Steve Bruce who currently has Newcastle 11th if score remains the same. :drool:

[Smjffy]

Grealish was making noises about Liverpool the other day, in the context of the position he prefers to play in, so I eagerly await another installment of the "fuck you, pay me" saga.

He's not good enough for us at this moment in time and thankfully we're no longer dumb fucks who'll be held to ransom.

[-james-]

Alan Shearer co-commentating on the Brighton game. And Amazon were doing so well.

[phonics]

Lacazette has been fouled on all 3 corners so far.

[John Arne]

Why isn't Tierney playing? Surely he is fit by now?? Arsenal appear to have selected an actual proper midfield for once. 3-0, ahoy.

[niko_cee]

There can't have been many more erratic/rash back 4s than the Arsenal one tonight. Kolasinac, Luiz and Sokratis are all absolute bombscares. They're the only team I've seen who are worse at playing it out from the back than Brighton in terms of mental risk taking. All neat and tidy from Brighton but they do lack an attacking edge so could do with Arsenal chucking one in for them.

[Waffdon]

Leno must have one the of the best save percentages. Arsenal give up a ridiculous amount of shots.

[Smjffy]

Arsenal would be better served replacing the squad than the next manager. This is grim stuff.

[Smjffy]

Well that was inevitable.

[phonics]

Just an FYI, these last two games have been better than anything in months (excluding Europa/Carling Cup teams). That's how bad it's been.

[Waffdon]

That’s just not true though, is it?

[Shindig]

In this age of VAR, you should play to the whistle on everything. EDIT: Unless the whistle went and they still gave it.

Whatever. I'll take owt.

[niko_cee]

The looping flick to the back post is kyrptonite for Ryan, he's just a bit diddy.

[phonics]

That’s just not true though, is it?

Yes it is. This team has been utterly anemic for a while now. Completely incapable of creating chances outside of individual brilliance. Now they're coming from the team playing. Do you not see the difference?

[Giggles]

Always liked Arsenal as a club but by fuck they’ve gathered up one of the biggest assortments of hateful twats I’ve seen in a single team.

[-james-]

Always liked Arsenal as a club but by fuck they’ve gathered up one of the biggest assortments of hateful twats I’ve seen in a single team.

Your mate Connolly, while very good, clearly has a bit of the dickhead about him.

[Giggles]

Your mate Connolly, while very good, clearly has a bit of the dickhead about him.

Bit of a headless chicken still but young enough to hopefully end up a decent player. Definite arsehole but I’ll forgive him for about 3 goals a qualifying campaign.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The person Arsenal really need to sack is all their fans, or failing that, just mantralux. They need to get away from this idea that they have to be an attractive passing team playing 'good football', it's a load of gubbins and historically illiterate. Sort the defence out, get a tough midfielder, and build again from there.

[niko_cee]

Good old Sussex by the sea, good old Sussex by the sea!

Jesus Arsenal are shite.

[niko_cee]

Aubameyang, Ozil and Pepe across the attacking midfield stations.

WORKRATE :drool:

Aubameyang genuinely pissed off for a few minutes (what was that all about?) and did anyone notice?

[Giggles]

Aubameyang, Ozil and Pepe across the attacking midfield stations.

WORKRATE :drool:

Aubameyang genuinely pissed off for a few minutes (what was that all about?) and did anyone notice?

Was that when the Wilcock lad played a bad pass to him in the first half?

[niko_cee]

No, but that was quite funny. There was quite a lot of chimping out in the Arsenal ranks (David Luiz a central protagonist). The one I was thinking was around the 85th minute after Dunk and Webster clashed heads, he seemed to go off somewhere for a short while.

[niko_cee]

Freddie Ljungberg looks an inspiring sort going off that interview. :cab:

[Shindig]

I think now's the time for Allardyce.

And that VAR goal was better than I could've imagined. :D

[The Merse]

The person Arsenal really need to sack is all their fans, or failing that, just mantralux. They need to get away from this idea that they have to be an attractive passing team playing 'good football', it's a load of gubbins and historically illiterate. Sort the defence out, get a tough midfielder, and build again from there.

I don't think most want 'attractive' football a la Wenger's last decade, at all. Maybe the bods from Nigeria and UAE cluttering the twatter space, but certainly not around N7.

We did use it as a 'moral victor' thing for a while. I spoke with one of my best mates -a big Chelsea fan about this the other day... When Roman swung into town and we dealt with the first period of not being London's best team in some 50 odd years for more than a year at a time, and in particular when Chelsea developed a new identity as the most winningest win at all cost winners in the land, we were somewhat bereft. In Wenger's first decade we played great stuff, but it was often via counters and it was no more aesthetically orientated than any other big team of the day.

The move to flighty little technicians with a penchant for hamstring strains coinciding with the aforementioned change in the local hierarchy brought about the whole sense of puritanical superiority through the aesthetic, but most fans woke up on that front well before Wenger departed.

25 years, 6 months and 11 days and I've finally walked out of an Arsenal game on the wrong end of the result. Was inevitable it would happen now I'm there for the majority of home games, but I always thought it'd be against someone a bit more esteemed than fucking Brighton.

[The Merse]

Aubameyang genuinely pissed off for a few minutes (what was that all about?) and did anyone notice?

Not a fucking clue. I was scouring Reddit to see if they'd mentioned why on TV and it had been repeated. Thought he'd heard there was a Chinese contract on the table back in the dressing room...

[Mellberg]

Grealish strikes me as a Zaha. Great at a club like Villa, useless at a Top 6 club. Probably a good fit for Arsenal :D

Oh, perhaps 35m?

35m? You're dreaming. You're talking at least 70m in the current market. It's an interesting one because he's obviously a huge Villa fan, so we'll have to see how that plays against ambition. Don't think he'll go this summer though and there's a chance he might stay when he gets the inevitable England call up. He's obviously twice the player of say...Ross Barkley. Bit of Gazza about him.

[Mellberg]

He's not good enough for us at this moment in time and thankfully we're no longer dumb fucks who'll be held to ransom.

Still bitter I see. We set the price. Fuck you, pay me.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a glorious Summer we're in for.

[Mellberg]

Chill out. He's not going anywhere. Think McGinn might end up at United though, which is a massive shame. Player.

[Shindig]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50681751

Did you not tell them to play to the whistle, you smacked arse?

[Ian]

Given we all know play will go on until the thing happens and then they'll check it yeah, just keep playing.

[SincereTheRebel]

The sport has to evolve. Rules have to change. I want to seen the clock being stopped every time the ball goes out of play or the whistle is blown, and just play two 30 minute halves or something like that. There are a few other rules I would change.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They need to sack Wilder and bring in Marco Silva.

[Ian]

Must be time Iain Dowie got another go.

[niko_cee]

It'll be interesting to see where Silva chances his arm next. Probably going to have to find a cushty number a la Martinez. Maybe he's more Villas-Boas, without the enigmatic squatting. He can join Owen Coyle in the Indian Super League or whatever it is called.

[John]

1202377041393389575

:lol:

They're now complaining that they've been 'lynched' for that headline. :D

Absolutely perfect.

[Spikey M]

This shit is bananas.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea got their ban lifted. They should be buying a whole new defence.

They might get Sancho in January, but I’d imagine Chillwell would be the summer.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Current defence is fine other than left back. We're not trying to win the league. Give Tomori time to develop.

[Waffdon]

Current defence is fine other than left back. We're not trying to win the league. Give Tomori time to develop.

He can develop, just beside a slightly better player. The goalkeeper doesn’t help, he’s been a bit error prone whilst making some unreal saves.

You’ll end up with Zaha in January.

[Lewis]

You should just start saying 'we'll'.

[Waffdon]

Mon the Tory racists.

[mo]

Macclesfield's game off tomorrow due to players' strike. Bury mkII, waiting to happen. Will seriously fuck me off as if their results are expunged we'd lose points while rivals at the top wouldn't.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nigel Pearson appointed at Watford, will he make it to New Year's Day?

[John Arne]

Why are there so few premier League games today?

[Shindig]

Because there was so many in midweek.

[Smjffy]

Big Dunc in?

[-james-]

What's the protocol for when your eighty million euro keeper isn't very good?

[Giggles]

You’d assume this is just the usual new manager bounce. Not a hope Duncan Ferguson ends up competent in any way.

[niko_cee]

What's the protocol for when your eighty million euro keeper isn't very good?

Swap him with Real for the one they had off you who also isn't very good?

[Baz]

Good to see Baines is still alive.

Also foul throws in professional football should never happen. :face:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Kepa is fine, there are very few 'good' goalkeepers out there if a full season with no fuck-ups is the expectation.

New manager plus Everton away means a 3-1 loss is a pretty good result for us.

[Gray Fox]

Not a bad ball that for a guy who can only pass sideways.

[John Arne]

Another route 1 goal :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Conceding two goals to Dominic Calvert-Lewin is disgraceful.

[Giggles]

Get the Parrott on at half time.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://streamja.com/XNGX

Heung Min Son is great.

[Gray Fox]

Mo Salah has just taken 3 men out with a backheel assist for Keita.

[John Arne]

Alright, George Weah.

[John Arne]

Interesting decision to put Wythenshawe's Anthony Taylor as the ref in the Manc derby.

[Smjffy]

11 clear of Leicester, 14 clear of City....'Mon United? A draw and a feisty game wouldn't go amiss. Pressure on Leicester tomorrow too and yeah, we could wrap this title up by the end of the month given Leicester and City face one another and we face Leicester too.

Or is this where we Liverpool it? Unassailable lead to be followed by 10 defeats on the spin or something daft.

[Danny]

Interesting decision to put Wythenshawe's Anthony Taylor as the ref in the Manc derby.

Why is that? He reffed it last year.

[John Arne]

Why is that? He reffed it last year.

Isn't it pretty obvious? Wythenshawe is in Manchester, and Taylor has a bit of history reffing Man Utd matches.

[Danny]

Isn't it pretty obvious? Wythenshawe is in Manchester, and Taylor has a bit of history reffing Man Utd matches.

Again, he reffed it with no issues before and isn’t a fan of either of the teams. Making something out of nothing.

[John Arne]

Again, he reffed it with no issues before and isn’t a fan of either of the teams. Making something out of nothing.

I'll writing to the FA about this. This is not something that should be allowed to happen.

https://gyazo.com/b61c363a6174585036d5fea32754a8f7.jpeg

[randomlegend]

I have a sneaking feeling we're going to get smashed today.

[Danny]

I'll writing to the FA about this. This is not something that should be allowed to happen.

https://gyazo.com/b61c363a6174585036d5fea32754a8f7.jpeg

Pep is just going to be jealous he didn’t get his head rubbed

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm hoping we lose to kick-start City's title challenge again.

City winning another is better than Liverpool winning.

[Gray Fox]

:happycry:

Starting in December this time.

[randomlegend]

AWB is a wall, I love him so much.

[randomlegend]

This game is ridiculously open.

We've had two chances already we probably needed to score to get anything out of this sort of game.

[SvN]

I'm hoping we lose to kick-start City's title challenge again.

City winning another is better than Liverpool winning.

You're a disgrace

[Gray Fox]

That's a blatant penalty.

Was the refs view blocked?

[randomlegend]

Stone wall penalty. City need to wind it in with all this protesting.

We've looked good so far. Watch Rashford miss this.

[Gray Fox]

Rashford looks unplayable.

[niko_cee]

If City don't get absolutely spannered here they'll have got away with murder.

Deserved.

[randomlegend]

Fuck's sake we should be 4-0 up.

[Gray Fox]

This is the best I've seen anyone play against City.

[niko_cee]

Has a bit of a feel of the last days of Rome when Herr Heynckes (was it?) rolled the Panzers through (Pep's?) Barcelona.

[Smjffy]

:drool: Never doubted OGS.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You're a disgrace
You've only just realised?

You're really saying you'd rather Liverpool win the title?

[niko_cee]

Pep seething. :drool:

That'd have been (wrongly) given at the last world cup I reckon due to it looking in slo-mo like Fred moved his hand into the path of the ball.

[John Arne]

Handball, but never a pen.

[niko_cee]

:cab:

It's not handball.

[Smjffy]

You've only just realised?

You're really saying you'd rather Liverpool win the title?

TBF the only team who is going to stop Liverpool winning the title is Liverpool. Pep really is a sore loser....none of the decisions are "contentious" yet the irritating fuckwit is still giving it the smarmy attitude. He can't take it, can he?

[niko_cee]

In days gone by United would find themselves in situations not dissimilar to this and they'd steamroller the second half and win.

[Waffdon]

KDB anonymous in another big game. Same with David Silva - biggest fraud of recent times.

[SvN]

KDB is their best player by far, the only one who looks like creating anything. You need to stop getting pissed before watching football.

[niko_cee]

Micah Richards is the best City 'pundit' for seething as well. He's such a prick, oh look, he's saying Fred should slide to the ground with his arms behind his back. :D

[Smjffy]

KDB anonymous in another big game. Same with David Silva - biggest fraud of recent times.

The fuck? He's already stuck in at least three balls that barely any other players are capable of let alone think about.

[Waffdon]

Is he Reece James?

Is he fuck.

Thank you.

That’s alright.

[Boydy]

You need to stop getting pissed before watching football.

:lol:

[Baz]

KDB is their best player by far, the only one who looks like creating anything. You need to stop getting pissed before watching football.

:D

[Foe]

Pep seething. :drool:

That'd have been (wrongly) given at the last world cup I reckon due to it looking in slo-mo like Fred moved his hand into the path of the ball.

It’s weird. If it was a city player (attacking) and led to a goal it would’ve been given as a foul. As a defender it wasn’t. I don’t think it should be a handball, but they’re getting a bit too detailed in the laws that there’s a lack of consistency.

What were Leicester’s odds to win the title this year?

[niko_cee]

Yes, the new handball rule for goal situations is total shit, but if we're going to standardise the approach, it needs to be back to it was/is for defensive situations, not the stupid strict liability that has been sort-of introduced for attackers (not absolute as see Bernardo Silva being allowed to cross the ball with his hand against Liverpool).

[Ian]

TBF the only team who is going to stop Liverpool winning the title is Liverpool. Pep really is a sore loser....none of the decisions are "contentious" yet the irritating fuckwit is still giving it the smarmy attitude. He can't take it, can he?

Is there a top manager who isn't? Jurgen loves a good blub about how hard done by he is as well.

They're all the same.

[randomlegend]

How's Kyle Walker not been booked there :cab:

[John Arne]

:cab:

It's not handball.

Handball, as in it very clearly hits his hand. But not intentional, so no pen.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

TBF the only team who is going to stop Liverpool winning the title is Liverpool. Pep really is a sore loser....none of the decisions are "contentious" yet the irritating fuckwit is still giving it the smarmy attitude. He can't take it, can he?

He's a massive twat and yeah, it's Liverpool's to lose now.

[randomlegend]

That's fucking disgraceful from the City fans. Haven't seen anything that bad for ages.

[Gray Fox]

No wonder they never go the ground. Fuck them off.

[Ian]

I'm starting to think I might be the problem.

Didn't watch the Spurs game and we were apparently good and it sounds like we were playing really well in the half of this that I didn't watch.

[Gray Fox]

This refs been terrible though.

Trying to give City everything he can.

[Spikey M]

Man City are quickly becoming more detestable than Liverpool.

[John Arne]

Man City's corners are a nonsense.

[Smjffy]

What a cunt Guardiola is, you just know he was disingenuous to OGS then. I've got say, that's the best I've seen United play for a long time and they were well deserving of their three points. City fans launching stuff was awful too and hopefully that'll be punished because there's no place for it. Aston Villa shirt on tomorrow. :cool:

What a time to be alive.

EDIT: And racial abuse too. Poor form, City. Poor, poor form.

[Gray Fox]

1203400008848101376

[Kikó]

That was bloody enjoyable. The first 30 minutes were brutal. Fred is turning into a decent player.

[Mike]

1203417306707177481

[randomlegend]

That Suarez goal is absolutely absurd.

[Lewis]

Hey United won. Mega. I figured they would score (how do City spend all that money and have no defensive depth?), but only letting one in is pretty decent going.

[Mellberg]

Ron Saunders :(

[Smjffy]

That Suarez goal is absolutely absurd.

The build up and the finish...

https://streamvi.com/watch.php?video=1575751468

[Smjffy]

Celtic and Rangers at 3pm. Stevie G to lift his first managerial piece of silverware?

[Waffdon]

Should be a decent game. Glasgow is Green though and I imagine Celtic will edge it.

[Waffdon]

Vardy’s going to break his goal scoring record again.