November football: The Sack Race

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/En6LpydXYAAnjqh?format=jpg&name=large

Horrific.

[Offshore Toon]

Society has let Peter Crouch get out of hand. It was fine as a flew flippant comments in press conferences, but he did a show at Alexandra Palace ffs.

And why is Jermaine Jenas on House of Cards? Are they really the best we've got? Absurdity.

[niko_cee]

Society has let Peter Crouch get out of hand.

:D

Brighton must be a decent chance today, although they'll probably pass the ball into their own net a few times in the first 10 minutes to scotch that idea.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Maupay you useless prick.

[Waffdon]

That Liverpool team is pretty horrific. Brighton to miss at least four glorious chances.

There’s one at least.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Connolly is the only Brighton player to have actually threatened Liverpool, strange decision to bring him off.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lallana :lol:

[Waffdon]

That booking on Ben White really is a joke. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The seethe on Twitter from Liverpool fans over VAR will be glorious :drool:

[John Arne]

Deffo a pen, however, I didn't think you were allowed to stop in the your run up anymore?

[Dquincy]

Joke of a decision. Not a pen. Neither of the players touched the ball and they had a coming together.

[Dquincy]

Oops. Welbz did touch it.

[Serj]

The seethe on Twitter from Liverpool fans over VAR will be glorious :drool:

The Liverpool subreddit is in complete meltdown in the post-match thread, if you need some further entertainment.

[Don]

Another game murdered by VAR. Klopp's post-match interview was fantastic entertainment. Brighton so good :drool:

[mugbull]

Thats the Stonewall Jackson of penalties

[Waffdon]

Another game murdered by VAR. Klopp's post-match interview was fantastic entertainment. Brighton so good :drool:

Klopp definitely has a touch of Fritzl. No idea why people find him likeable.

[Jimmy Floyd]

His ridiculous railing about fixtures is classic scouse PR tactics. Make yourself a victim from day one and make the narrative an angry one early doors so that if things go well for you, you're the great working class hero, whereas if things go off the rails, it's the filthy establishment to blame.

Quite similar to Trump, actually. Of course the reason that fixtures/recovery time are far more important to Liverpool than to any other club is because their game is based entirely on the aerobic aspect of pressing.

[Raoul Duke]

Lot of asthma in the squad makes it tricker too

[mo]

For the first time in nearly twenty years, Swindon have beaten Oxford. All the sweeter for it being away from home (first away win of the season) and with a centre half (who scored) playing up front for 30 mins.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't know if there are stats available but Leeds seem to be unbelievably profligate whenever I've watched them under Bielsa. Their tee to green stuff is mesmerising but there is no one who is ruthless in front of goal.

[Magic]

About 50 shots in 2 games and 0 goals.

[Jimmy Floyd]

And then a basic pot shot sticks them ahead. Well deserved, though, Everton are really one-dimensional: punt it forward to Calvert-Lewin, who wins literally 100% of headers and nothing comes of any of them.

[Magic]

:drool:

[Alex]

I don't know if there are stats available but Leeds seem to be unbelievably profligate whenever I've watched them under Bielsa. Their tee to green stuff is mesmerising but there is no one who is ruthless in front of goal.

It's always like this, unfortunately. It's nice as the football we often play is, it's very frustrating to watch at times. Bamford works his bollocks off and has obviously had, relatively speaking, a good start to the season. But it's only because of the sheer number of chances we create. He, and others, are still very wasteful.

If Bielsa has arrived when we still had Chris Wood (who knew where the net was consistently) on the books and demanded we kept him we would have wrapped promotion up with months to spare in his first season in charge. It's bizarre we don't sort it with a actual, better finishing options to be honest. But you don't question Marcelo's methods.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1332759251014529025

Glorious.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's always like this, unfortunately. It's nice as the football we often play is, it's very frustrating to watch at times. Bamford works his bollocks off and has obviously had, relatively speaking, a good start to the season. But it's only because of the sheer number of chances we create. He, and others, are still very wasteful.

If Bielsa has arrived when we still had Chris Wood (who knew where the net was consistently) on the books and demanded we kept him we would have wrapped promotion up with months to spare in his first season in charge. It's bizarre we don't sort it with a actual, better finishing options to be honest. But you don't question Marcelo's methods.

Today I watched you really closely and it was amazing to recognise just how good Kalvin Phillips is. He basically does midfield on his own for large chunks of the game, both with and without the ball, as the others are all engaged in these madcap triangle gallops down either flank and it all falls to him to win the ball back, close down, distribute, occasionally slow the tempo down, and amid all that his technical accuracy is sublime. If Southgate can't see these things and continues to stick Declan Rice there, he's an utter idiot.

It's such an easy team to like - every player (bar Phillips) is deeply flawed in some way and yet Bielsa has managed to spin all their strengths into this gloriously rampant expression of what it is to be greater than the sum of your parts. I'm sure in another universe Luke Ayling is chugging pointlessly up and down for Derby County or Sunderland but in this one, Bielsa has somehow transformed him into this irresistible attacking force that plays with utter confidence in ability that doesn't really belong to him.

[Spammer]

Oh dear

[ScousePig]

I don't know if there are stats available but Leeds seem to be unbelievably profligate whenever I've watched them under Bielsa. Their tee to green stuff is mesmerising but there is no one who is ruthless in front of goal.

If Erling Haaland signed for them they'd probably win the league.

[Alex]

Today I watched you really closely and it was amazing to recognise just how good Kalvin Phillips is. He basically does midfield on his own for large chunks of the game, both with and without the ball, as the others are all engaged in these madcap triangle gallops down either flank and it all falls to him to win the ball back, close down, distribute, occasionally slow the tempo down, and amid all that his technical accuracy is sublime. If Southgate can't see these things and continues to stick Declan Rice there, he's an utter idiot.

It's such an easy team to like - every player (bar Phillips) is deeply flawed in some way and yet Bielsa has managed to spin all their strengths into this gloriously rampant expression of what it is to be greater than the sum of your parts. I'm sure in another universe Luke Ayling is chugging pointlessly up and down for Derby County or Sunderland but in this one, Bielsa has somehow transformed him into this irresistible attacking force that plays with utter confidence in ability that doesn't really belong to him.

Phillips adds a ridiculous amount of value. It's no coincidence we looked a significantly worse team for the couple of games he was out injured. The defence gets found out constantly when he's not there to run interference. The role he plays, as you've rightly said, basically allows the rest of them to do their thing. He was always a very promising player but there was always a feeling of "where is the next level, though?" with him, then Bielsa arrived and helped him find it, and then some. Phillips absolutely loves him too, gave him his England shirt from his debut apparently.

Ayling is the absolute poster boy for him bringing out the best in a player who was otherwise seen as nothing. I think we only paid about half a million quid (or something) for him. He was just a lower league non-entity, and he's got him believing he's Cafu. Words can't describe how happy I will be if that lad gets an England cap at some point. :D

Klich is another good example, he was languishing out on loan looking, for all intents and purposes, like his career had completely stalled. Then Marcelo turned up (no doubt already in possession of a thousand page report on him), immediately brought him back and he's been absolutely vital and basically ever present since.

He's such a strange manager in that I honestly don't believe he actually cares about having transfer targets or anything. We obviously bring players in, and he has a say in what we're generally looking for I'm sure, but he would be just as happy to work with what he's got I think. The squad is not particularly large at all, he's totally happy just padding it out with kids who he has broken in to adhere to "the system".

He just likes to mould what he's got into something. I think that is the enjoyment he gets out of it, in a nutshell. "Here are the tools I've got to work with, this the system I want to play, how I do I fit all these pegs into the relevant holes and make it happen". I don't think a "blank cheque book" sort of situation where he's allowed to assemble a team of mega-stars would interest him at all. He wouldn't be able to break them into pieces and re-build them on the training pitch, for starters. The fitness levels he instills are mind-boggling.

[Magic]

Dallas too. Utility player at best before.

[Don]

Dallas always had a bit about him at Brentford but as an attacking wide-man, turning him into a budget James Milner is still inspired.

Didn't watch the game or highlights yet but xG suggest Sheff Utd are on a horrendous run of luck. Unfortunately, Wilder picked the wrong fight so I now do not care for his struggles. I'd say if they keep faith they'll be safe but it's only Newcastle, Wolves or Burnley that could finish below them after the two that are down and that's some ask.

[niko_cee]

I saw Lundstram and Baldock both miss relative sitters in the bit I saw (and the West Brom goal was fairly freakish even thought they then kept trying it). Sheff Utd did seem to have a lot of chances but no one with any sort of confidence to not either knock it meekly at the 'keeper or blaze it over the bar.

[Manc]

Super Sunday promises much.

[Waffdon]

Both the free kick and then resulting corner were so good from Ward Prowse

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:face:

[Lewis]

He should have saved that.

[Manc]

Donny looks like a lost child. Plenty of goals in this yet.

[randomlegend]

The diamond is wank. It was even wank against Red Bull until we accidently scored and they inexplicably imploded.

[Waffdon]

This will finish 3-3 or something

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was lovely.

[Waffdon]

Southampton are right bottling bastards.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Don Cavani :cool:

[John Arne]

Great run, but Vestergaard didn't half fall asleep.

[Lewis]

Don Cavani :cool:


:face:


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54404308

Cavani done, ffs.

Well will be when he flies over tomorrow.

Get lost lad.

[Giggles]

You nearly could have been shot of him if they’d lost today so maybe Mahow was right the first time.

[Manc]

Ralph once again not recognising when his system needs to change.

[Don]

Shame Spurs missing a few heads, I would have liked to see them destroy Lampard rather than comfortably win.

[Kikó]

Cavani is a real centre forward. Great to watch.

[Waffdon]

Shame Spurs missing a few heads, I would have liked to see them destroy Lampard rather than comfortably win.

They’re missing one player at most, aren’t they? Only Aldeweireld is out injured and he’s not exactly as good as he was

[Spikey M]

They’re missing one player at most, aren’t they? Only Aldeweireld is out injured and he’s not exactly as good as he was

Lamela. And Alderweireld is by a country mile their best defender.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Rodon looks so nervous.

[Kikó]

Must be different from doing his usual podcast work.

[mugbull]

Aurier has really improved. Still odds on for some dumb shit every game though

[Waffdon]

Lamela. And Alderweireld is by a country mile their best defender.

Lamela doesn’t get into their best XI. The only player in question is fat Steve for Bale or Lucas. Lo Celco and Ndombele will never play with each other

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wasn't an amazing half, but we look more generally menacing than at any point in the last few seasons. Chilwell will do Aurier around the back a couple more times so need to convert one of those and hope the defence holds.

[Manc]

Ndombele has a bit of the Paul Pogba's about him. Sensational in duels, but you never fancy him to actually do anything productive.

[Don]

They’re missing one player at most, aren’t they? Only Aldeweireld is out injured and he’s not exactly as good as he was

Toby and Doherty, especially with their replacements being liabilities.

[Spikey M]

Lamela doesn’t get into their best XI. The only player in question is fat Steve for Bale or Lucas. Lo Celco and Ndombele will never play with each other

Lamela is an absolute cunt that loves playing against Chelsea though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

When Abraham has clumsy fucking games like this you need to cut your losses and haul him off for Giroud asap.

[Waffdon]

Toby and Doherty, especially with their replacements being liabilities.

Aurier is clearly first choice under Mourinho

[Waffdon]

Pulisic would have a field day against Aurier so no idea why he’s still got Abraham up too falling about like a giraffe

[mugbull]

Aurier’s been better than Doherty for sure

[Don]

Doherty's just been unavailable, I thought. Like fuck is Jose standing for Aurier's bollocks.


When Abraham has clumsy fucking games like this you need to cut your losses and haul him off for Giroud asap.

:happycry:

[mugbull]

Doherty started the first 4 or 5 games and was dropped for Serge

[Giggles]

Doherty's just been unavailable, I thought. Like fuck is Jose standing for Aurier's bollocks.



:happycry:

Doherty should never have went there. Not for the type of person he his, it was completely the wrong manager.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This has been such a cute Mourinho performance. Kane and Son on the pitch merely for window dressing, defenders diving in their own box every time a cross comes in. I remember these well from the Ricky Carvalho days.

[niko_cee]

These sides are both just dreadful. Chelsea approach any 'tough' game with such an unnecessarily negative mindset and someone might as well just murder Kane to put Spurs out of their misery.

[Waffdon]

An awful game not helped by a referee blowing for a foul for everything

[ScousePig]

Phil Parkinson has been sacked (he was managing Sunderland).

[Don]

Doherty started the first 4 or 5 games and was dropped for Serge

Doherty benched Aurier in West Brom game.

[Giggles]

Has Doherty played much? I thought mourinho had done the “one bad game - dead to me” thing on him.

[Spikey M]

He has 6 Premier league starts to Auriers 4 according to this. (https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matt-doherty/profil/spieler/171679)

[Waffdon]

They rotate but Aurier plays against the better teams because Doherty is brainless defensively especially in a back four. The former has played the games against Chelsea, City and Man Utd so far

[Giggles]

Buying Doherty for a back 4 is a brainless as playing him internationally as one.

[Spikey M]

They both have their pro's and spectacular cons, but that's the hallmark of Tottenham Rightbacks.

[Giggles]

He’s no right back though. Never was and never will be, so it was complete stupidity on their part and his part to go there.

[phonics]

Jiminez has been ko’d. Been on the floor for about 10 minutes.

[Spikey M]

He’s no right back though. Never was and never will be, so it was complete stupidity on their part and his part to go there.

What actually is he though? Is he a defensive winger or an attacking wing back?

[Giggles]

What actually is he though? Is he a defensive winger or an attacking wing back?

The latter. Needs to play in a 5. Has absolutely nothing to offer as a right back in a four.

[Spikey M]

The latter. Needs to play in a 5. Has absolutely nothing to offer as a right back in a four.

The same is probably true of Aurier and Reguilon too, but they only have one centre back of any real quality which probably forces Maureen's hand somewhat.

[Giggles]

The same is probably true of Aurier and Reguilon too, but they only have one centre back of any real quality which probably forces Maureen's hand somewhat.

Doherty should have known not to go near it then. It’s loads more money to sit so you could hardly blame him, but he always proclaims to want more.

[Don]

How tf do you manage to be losing to a Jiminez-less Wolves? I beg they fuck him off so Arsenal can become watchable again.

[Spikey M]

This is the most enjoyable Arsenal have ever been.

[Luke Emia]

Arteta has done a spectacular job with Aubamayeng. It’s almost like I’ve missed 6 months he’s had the operation and moved back or something(I imagine he will score now but the point stands he was lethal for the last three years).

[Don]

https://static.standard.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2020/05/23/12/aubameyang.jpg

[Lewis]

1333160640815517698

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was posting here for years saying what would happen after Wenger left and this is it. United still haven't recovered from Ferguson finishing after seven years so these had best get in for the long haul.

[Lewis]

United are up to fifth/fourth (joint third) if they win their game in hand, which is pretty lol when they have been crap in every game except Everton away.

[Andy]

United are up to fifth/fourth (joint third) if they win their game in hand, which is pretty lol when they have been crap in every game except Everton away.

Played well yesterday, we looked poor throughout. Encouraging that we can play badly and still almost get something out of the game but it was our worst performance since Spurs.

The balance in midfield still isn't right, I think it will always be a struggle with Fernandes but there seems to be more of a plan now.

[Kikó]

Makes a difference that we played some actual players in their positions like Telles, vdb and Cavani. The latter especially has exceptional movement and workrate. I think Henderson stepping in was a positive as well - I really hope he get's a chance.

[Jimmy Floyd]

When Cavani came on against us in that despicable 0-0, I was shitting myself constantly, not only because of his past exploits against us, but also because he just moves like a killer. There are very few in the PL who do these days, with most players it's all about percentages and what they've been coached to do for the system, which you can always defend against. With him it's pure instinctual movement.

[Kikó]

Shame we won't see him again for a few weeks after his instagram "negrito" post.

[John Arne]

8 game ban incoming?

It should be a stern telling off (reminding him that UK > Uruguay, therefore cannot say it anymore), and nothing more.

[niko_cee]

Shame we won't see him again for a few weeks after his instagram "negrito" post.

Has this really happened?

:D

[Don]

Was just coming in to overdose on :happycry:s.

https://talksport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/11/Screen-Shot-2020-11-30-at-07.18.48-e1606721528839.png?strip=all&w=424&quality=100

[Jimmy Floyd]

Transplanting hispano race norms into an anglo BLM context is a proper recipe for disaster. Completely different historical experiences. The Liverpool mob were basically (80%) right about Suarez.

[Spikey M]

Transplanting hispano race norms into an anglo BLM context is a proper recipe for disaster. Completely different historical experiences. The Liverpool mob were basically (80%) right about Suarez.

Not sure I'd take it that far. There's a fair margin between calling a black opponent a Negro whilst arguing with them and calling a black team mate Negrito whist thanking them. I doubt the difference will be given a moments thought, mind. Intent doesn't matter these days.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah but negrito doesn't mean Negro in the sense we understand it. It's more of an innocent physical description, like calling someone 'ginge' or whatever, rather than a vicious race attack. Pepe could probably explain better than me but when you take not terribly well educated people into another language and put them into an entirely different set of social contexts of which they know basically nothing (and are sheltered from by virtue of being pro footballers) things like this are inevitable. In the Spanish language they don't have the same flammable history around certain words that we do in English.

He should probably have been warned about this by his 'people', mind.

[Kikó]

They should just delete their social media accounts and stop this bloody idiocy. He's fallen into the Bernardo Silva "it's a mate thing that's okay in our culture" which doesn't translate to the FA. Maybe he just wanted Christmas off.

[SvN]

Yeah but negrito doesn't mean Negro in the sense we understand it. It's more of an innocent physical description, like calling someone 'ginge' or whatever, rather than a vicious race attack. Pepe could probably explain better than me but when you take not terribly well educated people into another language and put them into an entirely different set of social contexts of which they know basically nothing (and are sheltered from by virtue of being pro footballers) things like this are inevitable. In the Spanish language they don't have the same flammable history around certain words that we do in English.

He should probably have been warned about this by his 'people', mind.

Suarez didn't use the term "negrito". I have no idea how this myth still persists - even the Guardian got it wrong in their article today.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What did he say?

[Spikey M]

Negro.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That version has never made it past the scouse PR filter. I'd say negro is ruder than negrito but still not equivalent to calling someone a Negro in English, and definitely not 8 game ban territory (what did John Terry get for calling Anton Ferdinand a black cunt? Or was it never proved?)

[Don]

Not sure but there's a documentary on it in case any one was looking for some BLM-related media coverage and Rio Ferdinand on their screens, two things we can all agree are in desperately short supply.

[Spikey M]

Just seen/heard the Jiminez injury from yesterday. :|

Isn't that a similar injury to the one that retired Mason?

[Shindig]

That version has never made it past the scouse PR filter. I'd say negro is ruder than negrito but still not equivalent to calling someone a Negro in English, and definitely not 8 game ban territory (what did John Terry get for calling Anton Ferdinand a black cunt? Or was it never proved?)

Terry was found not guilty in court but the FA slapped a fine on him, I think.

[Spikey M]

Not sure but there's a documentary on it in case any one was looking for some BLM-related media coverage and Rio Ferdinand on their screens, two things we can all agree are in desperately short supply.

I saw an advert for that. Anton remains an extremely unfortunate looking man.

[Kikó]

Terry was found not guilty in court but the FA slapped a fine on him, I think.

4 match ban, 220k fine.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I can't remember the timescales but if negro was 8 matches than black cunt should have been 40.

[Spikey M]

Did "Oreo" receive any punishment or did the FA bottle that one?

Edit: It was Choc Ice actually I think?

[-james-]

I do hope Jiménez's broken head isn't another Ryan Mason thing. Probably the player I've most enjoyed watching over the last couple of years.

[niko_cee]

Loving this Suarez revisionism.

:drool:

It's all a bit out of kilter when headcases like Luiz can basically annihilate someone with impugnity because 'he only had eyes for the ball' (Ederson is as bad in his disregard for the heads of other players, including his own team mates') whilst a little slap sees you banned for 3 games and an injudicious comment on social media perhaps even more. Someone will have to explain to me how that Luiz thing isn't recklessly and seriously endangering an opponent.

[Kikó]

Where was the revisionism?

[randomlegend]

From what I can find, Suarez told Evra he kicked him "because you are black", he "doesn't speak to blacks" and to "bring it on blackie, blackie, blackie". If anyone can't see how that's different to what Cavani has said then they're an actual retard.

[Spikey M]

It's all over twitter. Apparently people really are unable to understand that (while both are obviously wrong) there is a big difference between a foreign language speaking white man saying 'Thank you my Negro' and 'Fuck off Negro'. Intent and context do not matter anymore.

But then I remembered I was on Twitter and that has always been the case.

[Don]

Thanks, whitey.

[niko_cee]

You can't say bomb on a plane!

[Spikey M]

Thanks, whitey.

Mixey, thx.

[Spikey M]

Supporting Liverpool really does rot your brain.

[niko_cee]

FWIW there are obvious differences, I was just amused by Jimmy's 80% right, Suarez was just a bit of a cheeky chappy line, which I'm pretty sure wasn't one taken at the time (nor should it have been).

This is what Bernardo Silva did isn't it? So he'll get a thoroughly unmerited 1 game ban and a warning as to future conduct, I would guess.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was going by the official scouse version of events, which as with all things scouse these days is what has been upheld in the long term media.

[Spikey M]

FWIW there are obvious differences, I was just amused by Jimmy's 80% right, Suarez was just a bit of a cheeky chappy line, which I'm pretty sure wasn't one taken at the time (nor should it have been).

This is what Bernardo Silva did isn't it? So he'll get a thoroughly unmerited 1 game ban and a warning as to future conduct, I would guess.

I did wonder what the hell you were driving at. That makes much more sense.

[Lewis]

I was going by the official scouse version of events, which as with all things scouse these days is what has been upheld in the long term media.

I read the BBC report (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16186556) earlier and it reads like the club drafted it.

[Don]

Another dogshit VAR penalty decision. Referees literally seem to think it's a game of 'did he touch the ball?' when they get called over to the TV.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Play seemed to have gone on forever before they went back to it. Even so, I hope Leicester fans are still happy with that £60 million they got for Chilwell.

[Don]

I note it took precisely 4 games for pundits to start picking out that French lad as a shit-hot prospect for Leicester before he dyed his hair white and started putting in dogshit performances. These lads need to be sent round the country's shitholes like Zouma before their mentality is straightened and they're ready.

[Mellberg]

Potentially in win and go fourth with a game in hand territory here. Batshit considering we've already lost at home to Brighton, Southampton and Leeds.

[niko_cee]

Fulham bumming Leicester is a bit :cab:.

I suppose there's still time to balls it up.

I read quite a good comment the other day about VAR and whatnot, and it made reference to the way Rugby judges offside on tv review - ie without the use of 'the lines'. The problem isn't so much the rules, or the way the rules are being applied, but the idea that there is an absolute truth to be determined by the VAR. There isn't. Whether something is a penalty or not cannot simply be reduced to contact or no contact, and the drawing of lines is an arbitrary attempt to create an absolute truth which cannot really be known (exact moment ball is played, accuracy of the placement of the line etc) and the outcome of both is game altering absurdity. Using the rugby analogy for offside, if you can't determine whether an error has been made without reference to the lines, then an error hasn't been made. In the domain of penalties you probably have to look at the wider circumstances around the contact, but then you no longer have your (illusion of) absolute truth.

[phonics]

That Fulham have more going on in the box than us is really depressing.

[Kikó]

I think that's a good interpretation. Almost boils down to if you can't make a decision within 30 seconds then you're not looking at something obviously wrong. Nobody asked for stupid fucking lines and even more ridiculous decisions and yet here we are.

[phonics]

I’d missed that Celtic have somehow conspired to absolutely fuck the 10 in a row. Absolutely hilarious.

[Spikey M]

VAR should have just been 'stick a couple of replays on the big screen'. No lines, no 27th official.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't think I've seen a worse performance all year than Leicester's in this match. This formation, with Christian Fuchs as one of the three defenders, is absolute lunacy. Fuchs's presence completely shuts off the possibility of attack down that side of the pitch and also makes them ridiculously vulnerable to balls played behind him. Anguissa has completed stomped on the midfield as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Marine v Spurs will get the headlines, but under the radar I reckon Canvey Island/Boreham Wood vs Millwall is the scummiest FA Cup draw that could even hypothetically happen.

[phonics]

I don't think I've seen a worse performance all year than Leicester's in this match. This formation, with Christian Fuchs as one of the three defenders, is absolute lunacy. Fuchs's presence completely shuts off the possibility of attack down that side of the pitch and also makes them ridiculously vulnerable to balls played behind him. Anguissa has completed stomped on the midfield as well.

Fuchs has repeatedly attempted to retire/move to New York where his family lives and they just keep on giving him contracts too good for him to say no. This is his final plea to let him go.

[Don]

Michail masterclass incoming.

[Lofty]

I don't think I've seen a worse performance all year than Leicester's in this match. This formation, with Christian Fuchs as one of the three defenders, is absolute lunacy. Fuchs's presence completely shuts off the possibility of attack down that side of the pitch and also makes them ridiculously vulnerable to balls played behind him. Anguissa has completed stomped on the midfield as well.

I bet they managed more shots on target than Arsenal have in their last few defeats.

Isn't Fuchs about 90 now?

[Mellberg]

So much for fourth :cab:

Liverpool at Villa Park. Strong XI from them I reckon. Likely still bleeding from the arsehole, so an opportunity to apply some stitches.

[Don]

Things you love to see #9363736:

Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan missing a 3 yard sitter but guaranteed to start 38 prem games a season because he smartly got his name changed to Trèzèguet to give the westerners Euro 2000 vibes as opposed to 9/11 vibes.

The fucking original Trezeguet doesn't even have accents :D

Jahanbakhsh really needs to get that name change to Gazza.

[Mellberg]

Can't believe we're looking at zero points from this and Brighton. So many chances.

[Mellberg]

Armpit VAR. Cunts.

[Waffdon]

Ruling offside because of your arm hahahahaha

[Don]

A 1min+ stoppage to rule out a last-minute equaliser due to armpit offside. Another 2 point swing. Soccerway had it at 2-2 for 5 mins after the decision.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh-6BpHIgAEPG9C.jpg

[Baz]

Things you love to see #9363736:

Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim Hassan missing a 3 yard sitter but guaranteed to start 38 prem games a season because he smartly got his name changed to Trèzèguet to give the westerners Euro 2000 vibes as opposed to 9/11 vibes.

The fucking original Trezeguet doesn't even have accents :D

Jahanbakhsh really needs to get that name change to Gazza.:D

[Don]

1333519264142274560

This was great but even further improved by someone pointing out it's not even the right leg he holds. Hopefully he'll continue to not pollute CL and latter stages of international football.

[randomlegend]

I almost can't believe we can go 4th if we win our game in hand.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is football the only arena in humanity where it is a massive advantage to pretend to be more hurt than you actually are?

Well, aside from disability benefits or whatever. I mean in terms of a contest you're trying to win.

[Shindig]

I would say professional wrestling but that's not really the contest you're after.

[Ian]

David Haye tried it in boxing didn't he?

[phonics]

Is football the only arena in humanity where it is a massive advantage to pretend to be more hurt than you actually are?

Well, aside from disability benefits or whatever. I mean in terms of a contest you're trying to win.

No, every sport where the rules get more specific rewards the same thing. See the current state of Pepe's red card the other day, by writing a law that specifically states the ref MUST red card a player that initiates head to head contact with another player means that the very floor of this rule merits the same punishment as the guy who dislocates his opponent jaw with a greeting from glasgow.

Look at this, in a sport where 350lb tanks spend most of the game running at each other at high sppeds.

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I'm not saying it makes any sense or would be be applied correctly but what about if we took Pepe's 'headbutt' as the example. What if you sent off/carded the player for clearly over-reacting to it? Like a 'Yes this guy broke the rules and will be punished but your faekry attempted to encourage that there...'

[niko_cee]

Bad night for the tier 3 teams.

Back to your covid ridden hovels with you.

Another Premier League FA Cup 3rd round tie. Feels like a long time since that hasn't happened. :yawn:

It'll probably be the U13s turning out for that come January.

[Gray Fox]

Liverpool at Villa Park. Strong XI from them I reckon. Likely still bleeding from the arsehole, so an opportunity to apply some stitches.

Not a chance. Klopp has shown blatant disregard for cups since we've been good enough to win the big two. Add in that the players are dropping like flies. Expect to see Lord Origi, Minamino, Tsimikas and Adrian come in from the naughty step.

[John Arne]

I just checked the table and noticed that Arsenal are 14th.

[phonics]

I just checked the table and noticed that Arsenal are 14th.

Arsenals worst start since 195X or something and we're 4 points off 5th. The table means nothing until February. They didn't used to print the league table for months because you'd have to pay a licensing fee and the info was worthless.

[John Arne]

4pts off 5th. I heard football has been drab, is that true?

[phonics]

It's fucking awful (not in a performance sense, it's just really boring). The only thing that puts it over Emery is that the players are clearly sticking to a plan, it's just a boring one.

[John Arne]

It's fucking awful (not in a performance sense, it's just really boring). The only thing that puts it over Emery is that the players are clearly sticking to a plan, it's just a boring one.

Is it a plan that will eventually keep you up? 7pts off the drop....

But seriously, I haven't watched many Arsenal games this season, but I'm all about points on the board - and with Tottenham, Chelsea having a good start - Man City and Liverpool will inevitably be there. It's going to be a tight race for the Top 4.

[phonics]

Is it a plan that will eventually keep you up? 7pts off the drop....

But seriously, I haven't watched many Arsenal games this season, but I'm all about points on the board - and with Tottenham, Chelsea having a good start - Man City and Liverpool will inevitably be there. It's going to be a tight race for the Top 4.

Under Wenger we were dogshit versus good teams but batter everyone else. Unai, we were close with both. Arteta beats the good teams but we’re shit against the bad ones. Problem being there's more bad ones than good ones.

[John Arne]

Interesting development.


There won't be Guangzhou Evergrande or Shanghai SIPG from next year. China Football Association will impose a rigorous 'corporate-free' neutral name rule. Chinese clubs are conventionally named by the parent companies financing them (e.g. Evergrande is a property developer).

[Shindig]

I hope SIPG go full The New Saints. Shanghai In Pursuit of Goals.

[John Arne]

I hope SIPG go full The New Saints. Shanghai In Pursuit of Goals.

Given the S in SIPG also stands for Shanghai, any new name that only includes the word 'Shanghai" once would be a marked improvement.

Full expecting Shanghai City/United.