November football: The Sack Race

[Ian]

I know the season started late but we must be due a sacking soon, surely?

Poll to come with the most likely managers to get the chop first, per Oddschecker.

From the United perspective Solskjaer's in a weird position. Champions League has been brilliant so far but the league position is only misleading in as much as we were really fucking lucky to get those three points off Brighton. Plus, y'know, we've been absolute fucking turd. With two of our three league games in November looking eminently lose-able away at Everton and Southampton I wonder how itchy United's trigger finger will get and whether they're already considering the alternatives. It would be fun if we somehow won the Champions League and got relegated though so I'm crossing my fingers for that.

[Spikey M]

Yeah, the Champions League will keep Ole at the wheel for a while.

Lampard stays for being a propa lejund.

It should be Parker, but I'm not sure he can really be blamed for this. Fulham just aren't a Premier League team. I have no idea how they got promoted alongside Leeds. Completely different levels.

I vote Dyche.

[Shindig]

They've stuck by Dyche a lot so over the years so I can only see him resigning. I can see Parker going in a hasty "Well, someone else is available." gamble.

Steve Bruce for the United job. Eek.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

My sources suggest that Billic will be gone before Lockdown ends.

Stick your house on it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Seven points should already be enough to stay up, looking at the bottom four.

Lampard isn't going anywhere, even if we tank (which we won't). Fulham's problem is not Parker, but the absolute Walter Mitty melt who is their 'sporting director'. Parker is probably the reason they're up in the first place.

I could see Solskjaer getting the bullet soonish if the soy sauce sponsors start cutting their fees.

[Don]

Parker better stick it out, purely for the entertainment of hearing him talk on MOTD.

Also, I realise 89% of his game is about winning fouls but Harry Kane is a massive diving cunt.

[Smjffy]

Klopp.

Worst defence in the league is simply unforgivable with or without VVD as can be shown by our poor league position. The Man City match is going to be 10-9.

[Don]

As everyone's second favourite and most pleasing on-the-eye club, I'm sure I speak for us all when I say I am buzzing to watch Bielsa don the shit out of Rodgers with Pablo Hernandez running riot.

[thommo]

Out of the bottom three.
:rave:

[Bob Sacamano]

I've not followed Leicester very closely but that line up seems odd.

[Max Power]

I've not followed Leicester very closely but that line up seems odd.
Entire first choice back four (+ Ndidi) out injured.

[Alex]

Urgh. We've looked awful in this so far. Wasteful in possession and poor at the back.

[-james-]

Leicester have so many players who are indistinguishable from a distance. Praet, Castagne, Vardy, Barnes, Albrighton all look like the same guy.

Add Luke Thomas to this. It's basically a bunch of clones and the black guy.

[-james-]

Leicester are this week's "Could they? They actually could you know".

[Jimmy Floyd]

Surely we all know that City will win it by 12 points.

[Don]

I do jinx Leeds nicely every time I stroke my �� at them on here. They look dodgy af at the back against the directness of the Leicester 2 but they've crafted a few openings so 3-2 incoming.

[Don]

That Hernandez effort was a thing of immense beauty.

[Alex]

We've come to life now, finally! Hopefully not too late.

[Alex]

That Hernandez effort was a thing of immense beauty.

He's always got that in the locker. I've felt bad for the lad recently as the Premier League has transformed him from some sort of demigod figure last season to looking a bit old and tired all of a sudden (he is thirty five, to be fair) so it's good to see glimpses of the old magic still.

[Alex]

Oh dear.

[Waffdon]

Leicester starting the season well again I see. Decent to be fair with that non existent defence.

[Max Power]

Rodgers really showing his pragmatic side this season, good to see. Getting big results whilst also in Europe and carrying injuries.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Giggseh arrested for battering his missus (so they say).

[niko_cee]

The firebreak obviously already showing results.

[Spammer]

We could finish 20th and I'd back Wilder. I'd also let him see out next season in the Championship, and only then consider sacking him if we don't look like going anywhere fast.

Who else we gonna get? Big Sam? Mark Hughes? Fuck that. Big Sam might keep us up but Wilder is a big part of the identity of the club. He's earned enough credit to take us down if that's what happens.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

lol at Atletico drawing with Lokomotiv.

[Boydy]

Anyone got a link for Liverpool with crowd noise? Can't stand this shit without it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Payet with a horrendous penalty there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ajax with an indirect free kick goal from inside the box :drool:

[Don]

Bbc reporting 45 million for Jota. Lol.

That's Jordan Ibe, Solanke to Bournmouth levels of shit.

That's the first one I saw on the search but rest assured, he's not alone :happycry:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That first touch was disgusting.

[Mike]

What a wonderful signing Jota has been.

[Don]

I don’t rate Jota one bit so I hope it goes through. And Sarr, lol.

Actually turns out it might largely just be phonics posts.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://streamja.com/akzEJ

The assist from Barella :drool:

[Don]

Just been informed Utd's latest generational African talent who sits on Atalanta's bench cost the same. Make it make sense :happycry:

[Boydy]

Jota's shite.

:happycry:

[Don]

Just hand us the treble already.

[Waffdon]

At least Atalanta are keeping their high scoring games going

[Spoonsky]

He's started better than Salah did. Firmino might be starting on the bench for the foreseeable.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bayern are really struggling against Salzburg.

[Lofty]

Giggseh arrested for battering his missus (so they say).

If the picture going round Whatsapp etc is legit he is going to lose more than the Wales job.

[CJay]

He's started better than Salah did. Firmino might be starting on the bench for the foreseeable.

Good. He’s been poor for over a year now. Needs a good kick up his arse.

[Manc]

If the picture going round Whatsapp etc is legit he is going to lose more than the Wales job.

Tease.

[Lewis]

'Ryan Giggs, who is actually mixed race, is accused of...'

[Shindig]

"Ryan Giggs, who cannot be named for legal reasons ..."

[Lofty]

Tease.

https://i.ibb.co/0FncrQT/IMG-20201103-WA0018.jpg

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nicky Butt will take the years.

[Danny]

https://i.ibb.co/0FncrQT/IMG-20201103-WA0018.jpg


https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/7449937/erick-bretz-attacking-girlfriend-melissa-gentz/

Nope.

[Lofty]

Should have known it was dodgy, it was forwarded by a scouser.

[Don]

You really can see the effects of the age of misinformation recently. This gaff used to stand for something.

[Giggles]

He’s basically been suspended by Wales already so he’s done something anyway.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Better to do it that way (regardless of his guilt) than the Liverpool route.

[Ian]

Forgot we were getting to see Rafael tonight. :drool:

Finally something to look forward to in a United game.

[Ian]

The defending. :drool:

[Don]

That's got to be classed as gross misconduct by Ole, surely.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What the fuck was that shit?

[SvN]

"what the fuck was that shit?"

What's YOUR shit?

[Giggles]

Are this a new club to Europe or is it one of those official uefa names and we know them as fenerbahce or something normally?

[Kikó]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/El_6trQWkAIbEBK?format=png&name=900x900

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ole out.

[Ian]

These absolute rotters must have done something unsporting like watching literally any of our games and realised we're only good at one thing.

[Ian]

Didn't spot it was Mert in goal. :drool:

That's a good header.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Demba Ba :drool:

[Giggles]

The players have quit.

[Kikó]

you misspelt shit.

[Spoonsky]

United getting owned by Demba Ba and Martin Skrtel. :cool:

[Manc]

Poch with a timely appearance on MNF. Pull the trigger.

[Ian]

You can tell you're watching a top, top team when for the second game in a row they're shunting Maguire forward as a makeshift target man.

[Spoonsky]

That would have been some own goal.

[Lewis]

The average position map does a great job of showing that there aren't any tactics in the non-big games. There is a case for playing literally anybody as a right-sided forward just to stretch the pitch.

[randomlegend]

I think that's the worst performance I've ever seen.

[Raoul Duke]

Total shite

[Ian]

The average position map does a great job of showing that there aren't any tactics in the non-big games. There is a case for playing literally anybody as a right-sided forward just to stretch the pitch.

We barely even tried to do anything down the right at all. We spent what felt like about 17 hours in that match waiting for Luke Shaw to create something from the left.

[SvN]

Worst post-Moyes performance.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Dire Maria having a penalty saved :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Surely he can't make it to 10pm.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sevilla losing 2-0 to Krasnodar at home, lol.

[Waffdon]

The handball rule is so shit

[Don]

Surely he can't make it to 10pm.

After the Everton game at the weekend just before an international break seems good timing.

[Bob Sacamano]

Don't English teams usually struggle away to Hasan Sas et al?

[Giggles]

After the Everton game at the weekend just before an international break seems good timing.

And then he’ll beat Everton and prolong it another few months.

[Don]

We can but dream.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just as Frank Lampard cements his position as the premier coaching talent of his generation too. lol at the guardianistas bracketing those two a month ago.

[Ian]

Worst post-Moyes performance.

I don't know if we've looked as consistently bad at any point since Ferguson left as we have this season either. Sure, PSG and Leipzig were great but as good as we were looked they were also morons who played to what very few strengths we had, we've been fucking diabolical in most of the other games, including not trying to beat Chelsea and somehow winning against Brighton who should've spanked us.

[Shindig]

When I consider how much they battered us, it's odd to see them so shy in front of goal. It's like Ole's on willing to back a sure bet instead of properly setting out how he wants a side to play.

[Ian]

I can only assume Fergie had a word with Bruce before the game.

[Waffdon]

Just as Frank Lampard cements his position as the premier coaching talent of his generation too. lol at the guardianistas bracketing those two a month ago.

His two cheapest signings from Ligue 1 are about to save his career. 6 clean sheets in all of Mendy’s league and CL games.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just as well he has Claude and Big Pete on board really to find these guys, proper Bayern-style old boys' network developing.

[Don]

The Chelsea fixture run they've had with the help of their Europa League group has really blessed Lampard and Mendy's short-term career. They'll both have had bloodied anuses come Xmas.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What's the point in calling up Slabhead (other than being shit) and Reece James when they're both suspended for the "competitive" game?

[niko_cee]

So they can play in the other games?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why are we playing the Irish republic as well as the Europa League? Seems absolutely bonkers in the current circumstances.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

So they can play in the other games?

There's only 1 other game, a friendly against Ireland.

You know what Slabhead and James can do so plug someone else in to give them some time and get them adjusted into the team before the Nation League game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Actually Slabhead is available for the second Nations League game.

[Don]

Winks :happycry:
No Barnes yet Tammy :happycry:
No me yet Mount :happycry:

[Waffdon]

PPV games are being scrapped from next week. Surprised it took this long

[Don]

First they came for the clubs and I did not speak out. Then they came for Brighton-Burnley at 17:30 on a Friday for £15 and...

[Giggles]

Dundalk didn’t do too badly there. On another night they’d have scored that one at 2-2 and who knows?

[Mellberg]

First they came for the clubs and I did not speak out. Then they came for Brighton-Burnley at 17:30 on a Friday for £15 and...

Watch the dirty fuckers try and frame it as some bollocks covid support we are the people move.

Well done to everyone for not buying that shit.

[Don]

In all fairness it did raise serious money for food banks. They should dine out on that :D

[Ian]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54816131

You're never going to be allowed into the Proper Football Man community with that attitude, Marco.

[Manc]

How very Dutch.

[Waffdon]

Craig Gordon must be the first player to ever win a cup final and be a runner up surely? He gets a medal from Celtic if they win but obviously one too if he wins it with Hearts.

He should just stand in front of the trophy at the start and celebrate with it.

[Ian]

Don't you have to have played a certain number of games for the relevant team to get a medal?

[Waffdon]

I will close the door on the way out.

I was thinking it was the League Cup final they were playing as he played them for Celtic last year. Fook sake

[Andy]

Che Adams is one of the best signings we've made in a long time.

One of those players that always has a nack of being in the right place and the right time.

[Don]

His shot leading up to the goal and the finish are both sharp af, Ings' class has rubbed off. With that physique too, christ.

And I don't like to make racial stereotypes, you know me, but Djenepo is the next Sadio (finishing as of yet undetermined but seems a real complete player).

[niko_cee]

Not that anyone would have seen what transpired earlier (thank christ) but it's getting a bit hard to see three worse teams in the division than Brighton.

Hopefully Burnley continue their woeful form, but they'll sort themselves out eventually. Same goes for Sheff Utd.

[niko_cee]

The check is complete.

:happycry:

[Shindig]

It would be nice to see us string some results together but we have no consistency at the minute.

[Don]

Not that anyone would have seen what transpired earlier (thank christ) but it's getting a bit hard to see three worse teams in the division than Brighton.

Hopefully Burnley continue their woeful form, but they'll sort themselves out eventually. Same goes for Sheff Utd.

Your xPTS has you in mid-table and xG higher than City. The performances are quality I think and it's exciting what he's building but the recruitment has been piss poor, Dan Burn ain't a prem player ffs and Welbeck and Maupay between them aren't enough firepower. It'll turn tho, regression to the mean and all that.

[Don]

Speaking of prem players, that Longstaff midfield pairing is a cracking base to build on for the 2026/27 League One promotion push.

[-james-]

Not that anyone would have seen what transpired earlier (thank christ) but it's getting a bit hard to see three worse teams in the division than Brighton.

You can't have watched much of other bottom five sides. Fulham and West Brom are already entirely relegated, and the third will be Sheffield United or Burnley. Brighton will finish a comfy twelfth-ish, above Palace, Newcastle and United.

[niko_cee]

Your xPTS has you in mid-table and xG higher than City. The performances are quality I think and it's exciting what he's building but the recruitment has been piss poor, Dan Burn ain't a prem player ffs and Welbeck and Maupay between them aren't enough firepower. It'll turn tho, regression to the mean and all that.

Unfortunately they've already blown xWins against West Brom, United and Burnley, which will be xDickings in the away games.

[niko_cee]

You can't have watched much of other bottom five sides. Fulham and West Brom are already entirely relegated, and the third will be Sheffield United or Burnley. Brighton will finish a comfy twelfth-ish, above Palace, Newcastle and United.

I fear Burnley and Sheff Utd will sort themslves out at some point. Hopefully Burnley don't, but history suggests they tend to.

Newcastle and Palace will finish above Brighton. If United don't they'll be going down so, yeah, I like it, but I don't see it.

Agreed on West Brom and Fulham, although that's West Brom who Brighton couldn't beat, and Fulham who could move above them in the table today with a win, so it's very much in the mire.

[Baz]

I think for the first time ever, I want Everton to beat United.

[-james-]

I fear Burnley and Sheff Utd will sort themslves out at some point. Hopefully Burnley don't, but history suggests they tend to.

Newcastle and Palace will finish above Brighton. If United don't they'll be going down so, yeah, I like it, but I don't see it.

Agreed on West Brom and Fulham, although that's West Brom who Brighton couldn't beat, and Fulham who could move above them in the table today with a win, so it's very much in the mire.


I think when a team's issue is their finishing, it's rarely the end of the world. Eight games in, not the easiest run of games, and only really got outplayed by Everton. Largely looked pretty solid defensively. I am very unconvinced by Maupay though.

[Reg]

Your xPTS has you in mid-table and xG higher than City. The performances are quality I think and it's exciting what he's building but the recruitment has been piss poor, Dan Burn ain't a prem player ffs and Welbeck and Maupay between them aren't enough firepower. It'll turn tho, regression to the mean and all that.
Is that xG goals for minus against? Anyway, if we can't finish the chances...

Dan Burn's a good player but a better centre back / left back than wing back. He and the other tall defenders need to occasionally win a header at an attacking set piece though. Our lack of set piece goals for the last 3 years or so is baffling. Gross needs to be taking every one whenever he's on the pitch.

We are fantastic until about 25 yards from goal. If goals were awarded for possession and territory we would rival the best. Unfortunately we don't know how to cross, pass into the box, or shoot.

[niko_cee]

I think when a team's issue is their finishing, it's rarely the end of the world.

Not being able to score goals absolutely is a big problem, especially when you can be relied upon to chuck one in at the other end almost every game.


Is that xG goals for minus against? Anyway, if we can't finish the chances...

Dan Burn's a good player but a better centre back / left back than wing back. He and the other tall defenders need to occasionally win a header at an attacking set piece though. Our lack of set piece goals for the last 3 years or so is baffling. Gross needs to be taking every one whenever he's on the pitch.

We are fantastic until about 25 yards from goal. If goals were awarded for possession and territory we would rival the best. Unfortunately we don't know how to cross, pass into the box, or shoot.

If goals were awarded for idiotic defensive errors Brighton would be right up there too, unfortunately they are, but for the other team in most cases.

I think Potter's possession/press bullshit has worked about twice in his entire tenure - in the games away at Palace and Arsenal last season (may have been back-to-back). Towards the back end of last season it was more of a defence and counter set-up and it worked just as well as, if not better than, the 'good football approach'.

[Don]

But you have Lallana and the greatest midget footballing talent I've ever witnessed so count your blessings. Goals amd points are meaningless with such an abundance of luxuries. Legit enjoy have Brighton up there with Leeds and Southampton as most entertaining footballing sides.

On the xPTS, I'm not actually sure how it's calculated, James might know:

https://understat.com/league/EPL

[niko_cee]

I'd hoped for more from Lallana but it's early days yet.

I never get the xPoints either - surely that has to be a whole number (worked out by using the xG to resolve games - ie 3pts for Brighton yesterday rather than the 1 they got)?

[Kikó]

It's based on complete bollocks so just chuck a random number into the machine and that's your answer.

[Andy]

Brighton are one of those teams that look good every time I see them play but struggle with scoring goals and always seem to have a mistake in there at some point.

As long as they stay above one Sheffield United and Burnley they will be fine but they are two pretty bad problems to have.

[Kikó]

FCUM v Doncaster is today's BBC Round 1 FA Cup choice today. Such a shame there isn't a crowd.

[randomlegend]

FCUM really is a dreadful abbreviation.

[Shindig]

I'm never going to warm to that club name.

[Disco]

Who are F-CUM?

[Ian]

FC Ynitd o' Manc.

[Disco]

Really :D

Did they have a competition for the shittiest, most small time name available?

[Shindig]

"It's gonna be great, lads. We'll use the old Newton Heath colour scheme for the scarfs and give it a name that really sticks it to the Glazers ...."

[Jimmy Floyd]

From memory they wanted to be called simply 'FC United' but there was a rule stating you had to include a geographical location in the name (how this tallies with Hashtag United I'm not quite sure).

[Don]

Looking at that Utd XI, you imagine Poch announced by Wednesday.

[Ian]

You'd think today when his job must very much be on the line would be the time to maybe change something up, maybe give van de Beek a proper go (and not in a game he's just assuming he's gonna win like van de Beek's other starts) and see if he can make a difference. I love Juan Mata but that strikes me as a very 'safe' choice.

Still, the Maguire / Lindelof pairing will keep us right I'm sure.

[Giggles]

Are there not a couple of clubs in the league with no geographical place in their name?

[randomlegend]

Who are you thinking of?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/oct/05/sport.blueprintforabetterfootball

"FC United" was rejected for being too generic.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Arsenal, Crystal Palace are both places in London (even though Arsenal are no longer located there). Not sure who else there might be.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

#OleOut.

[SvN]

There's Port Vale, but I'm sure that references somewhere in Merseyside for some reason.

[Ian]

That assist from Lindelof. :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That is some header though.

[Ian]

Yeah that's a beauty of a header. Nice of them to take a leaf out of our book on the centre half-ing front.

[Disco]

Are Total Network Solutions still going?

[Shindig]

As The New Saints, yes.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fernandes is very good.

[Ian]

I must say it's jolly decent of Everton to have played entirely to our few strengths since going a goal up. If they'd just shut up shop we'd currently still be a goal down, playing 60 yard backpasses to Spanish Dave.

[mo]

Decent enough cup tie between Bradford and Tonbridge Angels on BBC now. Bradford 3 up but TA doing their best.

[Lewis]

Everton are still Everton, and the few results they've ever had over a big side have been entirely down to the Goodison Seethe, so this should always have been relatively straight-forward.

[Giggles]

There's Port Vale, but I'm sure that references somewhere in Merseyside for some reason.

That’s definitely one I was thinking of. I might be thinking of the old firm clubs for the others.

[Kikó]

"It's gonna be great, lads. We'll use the old Newton Heath colour scheme for the scarfs and give it a name that really sticks it to the Glazers ...."

None of this actually resembles realty considering we play in red, white and black.

[Shindig]

But surely that conversation happened, right? The back to the roots argument instead of what looks like a spiteful move.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Pickford :cab:

How is that not a penalty?

[SvN]

Ridiculous. Pickford at it again.

[Lewis]

Luke Shaw looked like he pulled up before winning that corner, so that's his career set back a year.

[Lewis]

Anthony Martial has been toilet this season. I knew he only looked good after the lockdown because everyone else was half-arsing it too.

[Lewis]

Fred/Scott McTominay/Nuno Nernandes is the midfield (the pre-lockdown form midfield), and the others should fit around it. Paulp Ogba can come in for Nernandes, and the other bloke can apparently come in for any of them; but it needs to be that as the basis.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Everton aren't shit.

[Lewis]

That was actually a really good performance.

[Don]

The BT commentators building dogshit narratives for 90 mins was fucking unbearable. Give us the option to watch without commentators already or, allow us to commentate ourselves like some Twitch feed so I can establish myself as the leading bantertator in the sport and make my millions.

[Manc]

Carlo on the ropes.

[Kikó]

But surely that conversation happened, right? The back to the roots argument instead of what looks like a spiteful move.

No.

The conversation was more along the game and team we support has gone, why don't we try and create our own club. They've done it and it's been an unbelievable success.

On United, Ole should just ask for us to play away all the time. Everton gonna Everton but still a good win.

[Don]

Shut your fucking whining, you insufferable Norwegian cunt.

[Kikó]

Stick your xG up your arse you cunt.

[Don]

VAR with an almighty laughable decision on Bamford there. Get it out my sport ffs.

[Baz]

Something Redknappy about that Eze free kick.

[Bob Sacamano]

Conceding 3 in one half to Palace :lol:

Leeds are going down

[Don]

Conceding 3 in one half to Palace :lol:

Leeds are going down

Lol, no mate.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If Biden can win the presidency at 77, then surely Hodgson has another big job in him at a mere 73. Manchester United, perhaps.

[Alex]

Conceding 3 in one half to Palace :lol:

Leeds are going down

We've looked woeful at the back. I hate to say it, but Cooper is massively out of his depth. We need Diego Llorente to get fit and hopefully be good.

The squad size doesn't hold up well to injuries either. No offence to the lad, but it's never a good sign when you're chasing the game and your answer is to bring Tyler Roberts off the bench. The international break will be a welcome layoff for us I think.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Few nice FA Cup shocks going on today.

They've got Ashley Cole on as a pundit for the Chelsea game and asked him about Ben Chilwell. Great, I thought, one of the best ever in that position is about to enlighten me about how Chilwell plays the position, his strengths and weaknesses etc, and things that as a fan I don't understand.

Answer: 'Uhhhmm, well, he's solid innit, he's come into a team that was conceding goals, and now they're not.'

Cheers Ash.

[randomlegend]

Dembele looking shit hot for Barca. Shoulda gambled.

[Giggles]

That’s a nice little ground that F-Cum have, puts a load of top division ones here to shame.

[Kikó]

Nearly bankrupted the club due to horrendous mismanagement from the former CEO/Chairman Andy Walsh. Still has the club pretty delicately placed but the new people running the ship are a lot more clued up.

[Giggles]

When I look it up on Wikipedia I see a lot less seats than it looked on TV. The cost too is why nobody here would build one anyway, most clubs aren’t even worth a quarter of the €8m.

[Kikó]

Part of the cost was covered with government grants (as there is a community centre attached to it and a lot of regeneration in the area) and calling into the fans to invest (the community fund).

[John Arne]

.
They've got Ashley Cole on as a pundit for the Chelsea game and asked him about Ben Chilwell. Great, I thought, one of the best ever in that position is about to enlighten me about how Chilwell plays the position, his strengths and weaknesses etc, and things that as a fan I don't understand.

Answer: 'Uhhhmm, well, he's solid innit, he's come into a team that was conceding goals, and now they're not.'

Cheers Ash.

Him being a pro for 20 odd years and then doing a UEFA draw and not knowing how Espanyol was pronounced was an interesting one.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That was such a shit goal from Abraham. He really cannot strike a ball to save his life.

[Waffdon]

Ramsdale has been an absolute mess

[Luca]

Was up at 07:30 to watch United-Everton after a late night. Saw us concede like shit after 20m and shut it off to get more sleep.

Still stick by my decision.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sheffield United are even worse than Burnley. A team utterly without strengths.

[Luke Emia]

Kings Lynn dumped out Port Vale today in easily their biggest FA Cup win in my lifetime. Problem is there isn’t really a lot in it for the smaller clubs this year. No replays and no crowds massively impacts on the money that can be made.

[Waffdon]

Zyiech is a bit good, unsurprising. It’s a shame Pulisic will never be fully fit as Werner back through the middle and that front three lols through every defence assuming Lampard sticks with the 433 and not swarming Kante with another sitting midfielder

[Jimmy Floyd]

The 4-3-3 definitely gets the best out of us. It would be lovely if Tammy Abraham was even a little bit better, as if he could hold it up and bring the others in on a consistent basis we would be pretty unstoppable. As it is, I think when Havertz comes back I would rather move Mount further forward (with Werner to the centre) and have KH running things from deeper in the way that Mount made a pretty pale imitation of trying to do today.

Ziyech's inswingers are a proper thing of beauty.

[Shindig]

Every club needs a Shola Ameobi. Tammy might be yours.

[niko_cee]

That Bamford thing is the logical conclusion of that stupidity they pulled with Mané. Fuck knows what happens when some Suarez-esque bastard figures out how to stop the ball on the line with the 'legal' bit of his arm. It's almost as if they have done away with the intent aspect of the law, even though they haven't.

[Spammer]

THE MIGHTY BLADES are in a bit of trouble this season.

[Trancemeister]

Lookman tries a Panenka and totally fluffs it :D

[Manc]

That will break Parker.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a way to end the game.

[thommo]

That's broken me, let alone Parker. Sickener.

[Yevrah]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXWoLScaeKw

Amazing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

THE MIGHTY BLADES are in a bit of trouble this season.

You were such an odd team to play against. You have a midfield three that seems to stand about and do nothing (even though Berge and Norwood clearly have some quality, especially the former), and your defence is a bit of a mess, largely because there are massive gaps that appear in between them during the little peels forward. Literally the only threat you posed at any point during the game was from McGoldrick being a pain in the arse, which McBurnie also is, but even they don't have any quality really between them.

You also have a couple of genuinely appalling players in there - the left wing back I thought looked totally out of his depth (not sure if he's a regular), and Brewster looked well short of being any kind of footballer.

I think he needs to refresh the setup a bit, is he completely wedded to that system? I would think binning Norwood to the bench, putting a shit kicker behind Berge/Lundstram, and going to a more compact back four would make more sense.

[Vercetti]

No idea what Lookman's at with that penalty, but I'll take it.

[SvN]

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2020/11/8/90b25b07-3dc3-41f0-9f5d-50198e5640a3.png

:D

Has to be intentional.

[Pleb]

The Magic of the FA Cup is back lads.

[Pleb]

The bollocks going on in this Torquay-Crawley game right now.

[niko_cee]

Alisson

Alexander-Arnold
Robertson
Matip
Gomez

Henderson
Wijnaldum

Firmino

Mané
Jota
Salah

CM2 Classic.

[Don]

Matip is fit so we should win by about 6 goals :drool:

[Smjffy]

:drool: That line up.

I'm still anticipating a bit of a roasting though.

[niko_cee]

To clarify on the CM2 reference, I reckon my actual team would have been something along the lines of:




Batistuta Ronaldo Taylor*

Guerrero

Lennon Simeone

Carlos ???? ???? Zanetti

????

*Robert Taylor of [legendary] Brentford fame.

Centre-halves and 'keeper escaping me.

[Gray Fox]

Judging by these first 5 mins someone is going to score about 7 goals.

[Waffdon]

Walker is a mess still I see.

[Waffdon]

Wee Trent just as bad as Walker defensively. Reece James the saviour England need

[Jimmy Floyd]

That was a brilliant goal from Jesus.

[Gray Fox]

Absolutely ruined by Jesus there.

This 4-2-4 is brave, but I suspect will turn out to be foolish.

[Danny]

What a terrible penalty.

[Spoonsky]

You beauty :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think he was just trying to make the decision look good.

[Don]

Thiago slotting in with these 4 roaming ahead of him. Tears in my eyes.

Can Gomez and his dopey looking self not do his ACL or something?

[Gray Fox]

Ah yes, it had been a whole game without an injury.

[Boydy]

What was that waste of a freekick at the end?

[Manc]

That second half was a chore. Sport is on it's knees.

[Don]

A half for the purists. Nervy watch but take that. You don't take Bobby off in tactical games, you Nazi chump.

[Gray Fox]

Too many square pegs in round holes by the end. Hopefully these injuries are all ready to fuck off after the next international break.

[Reg]

I think he was just trying to make the decision look good.
I liked Neville's take on that - "He doesn't wanna give it, because he knows that in the real world it's not a penalty." :D

Second half was dreadful. Thought Carragher was absolutely right in saying City should have been giving it to Sterling to have a one on one v Milner whenever possible. Wasted opportunity.

Shame this season has become more grounded. More 7-2s please.

[niko_cee]

It's going to be so shit in the marathon slog to Christmas and beyond after the international break, assuming enough players return fit. Every game is going to be dying moments shit-off material.

[phonics]

Clear through on goal and forgetting the ball sums up how shit Arsenal have been.

[Mellberg]

:eyemouth:

[Lofty]

Good of Leno to have an attacking of goalkeeping diarrhoea when we play Villa just to highlight what a poor decision it was to sell Martinez. Not that he was the only shit house tonight, fair play to Villa could have had another 7 tonight.

[Don]

Grealish is actually at KDB levels now, what's the plan if they don't get CL football next season? Tell me he's a proper Irish lad and a Liverpool fan deep down.

Barkley's assist suggests he's now better than Rashford, Sancho and Sterling combined.

And speaking of England, TAA pulling out might mean Southgate has stumbled upon Tariq by chance, the fucking retard.

[Don]

Ian Wright reckons matches involving two teams in Europe should be allowed 5 subs when facing each other but otherwise 3 subs for all other games. He reckons that would solve it.

And then he wonders why he gets racial abuse.

[Mellberg]

I reckon we're up to 150m now. We'll take Jimmy back for a year and call it 149.

[Manc]

Outpacing Bellerin with the ball in tow. :drool:

[Don]

If Sancho is getting touted for £100m+, I'd suggest £150m is still value for the buying side. Inb4 he's benched by southgate for the stars of The Rap Game.

Fucking hell, I've just seen Lookman's pen. That is sublime :D

[Mellberg]

He'll be benched. Southgate said this week he's "working his way through the pecking order". Build your team around him, you fool.

If anything sums up our turnaround it's that we didn't keep a clean sheet away all season last year. So far this season it's 3 from 3 and one of them is top of the league.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I see the gooner nation already hates Willian. Top tip, don't give a Brazilian his last big contract.

[Baz]

Grealish is actually at KDB levels now, what's the plan if they don't get CL football next season? Tell me he's a proper Irish lad and a Liverpool fan deep down.He would be pretty good for Liverpool, wouldn't he. :nod:

[Giggles]

Grealish is actually at KDB levels now, what's the plan if they don't get CL football next season? Tell me he's a proper Irish lad and a Liverpool fan deep down.

Barkley's assist suggests he's now better than Rashford, Sancho and Sterling combined.

And speaking of England, TAA pulling out might mean Southgate has stumbled upon Tariq by chance, the fucking retard.

He’s as Irish as you.

[Spikey M]

He's Iranian Giggles. It's close though. Good lad.

[Baz]

Who’s the best current player that could play in every position, and if he was cloned 11 times would make the best team? Submit your answer here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeK9s5xcylAJ0YJMrU7-K6lPcXmQ1LoMJx-NwOSjte_zQXGDg/viewform?usp=send_form

[mugbull]

Obviously Harry Kane

[Spikey M]

I was going to say the same.

[Kikó]

Harry Kane for me.

[Ian]

I suppose this is worth debating now that John O'Shea has retired.

[Don]

That down syndrome lad lacks mobility. Bobby is more well-rounded.

[Manc]

Geremi.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My team of Sadio Manés would beat your team of Kanes. The loser has to start pronouncing their name as Mane, or Kané.

[Andy]

It'll be someone boring like Henderson.

[Manc]

Kevin Davies. The opposition would spend 90 minutes on the deck.

[niko_cee]

11 Van Dijk's would be fairly unbeatable, probably at most sports.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He said 'current player'.

[niko_cee]

Only having one leg simply makes it a fair contest.

Or, you know, harvest the knees of half of them and just have a 5-a-side team.

[Baz]

I appreciate the comments but if you can add them to the form (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeK9s5xcylAJ0YJMrU7-K6lPcXmQ1LoMJx-NwOSjte_zQXGDg/viewform?usp=send_form) (literally 2 boxes - player and his team) so they get automatically added to my spreadsheet, and thus will probably end up being used, I'd appreciate it even more. :thbup:

[Baz]

Fair play to whoever added The Reid. :D

[Shindig]

I was going to go with Shola Ameobi but he's long retired. Sammy could probably do a job.

[Mike]

Thiago

[Danny]

Kimmich

[Giggles]

https://i.redd.it/5nop3zx69ho21.jpg

[phonics]

A goalie who can play would probably give you a massive advantage. I’m not sure who you’d go for now but a prime Neuer maybe?

[Spikey M]

A goalie who can play would probably give you a massive advantage. I’m not sure who you’d go for now but a prime Neuer maybe?

John Oshea has already been nominated.