December football: Who's most out of place?

[Manc]

It'll be interesting to see what gestures are in the pipeline.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It will end with Mason Mount kissing Tammy Abraham's feet in the centre circle while the referee and linesmen sing 'Amazing Grace'.

[Shindig]

"In a move the country has been very supportive of, Prince William has divorced and now married Ainsley Harriott in a civil ceremony officiated by Elton John. There will be now be 150 consecutive years of national tolerance."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T72TopWbXJg

[Don]

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/qatar-world-cup-2022-qualifying-b1768149.html

Lolololololololololol

We struggle to get a respectable friendly arranged for last decade cause of international sanctions but these slaveowners buy their way into UEFA qualifying after having played in Copa America. You love to see the corruption. Fucking be giving Israel their own national team next.

[Shindig]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/55239103

Law 15 of the FA Handbook says a goal can't be scored directly from a throw-in.

[Danny]

Right, but the keeper touched it.

Has to go down as an own goal too I imagine.

[Don]

Did you read the video description?

The new BT sport advert for their new app is decent:

https://img01.products.bt.co.uk/content/dam/bt/portal/images/articles/sport/bt-sport-products/watvh_main_aem.png/_jcr_content/renditions/landscape-desktop.764.430.jpg

An option to take up 20% of my already miniscule screen so that I can see the faces of 3 of my mates during a game? SIGN ME UP, RIO.

[Danny]

Did you read the video description?

I did. Looked it up, officially an OG too as it has to be.

[Don]

Meant for Shinners.

[Don]

This Mokouko lad will do well to reach Freddy Adu's accomplishments on a football pitch. Touted as the hottest talent in world football based off a questionable passport and a dark skin tone but no, Millwall fans are the problem in the sport.

[Spoonsky]

Messi v Ronaldo tonight :cool:

Might be the last time?

[Don]

Fuck that useless game, Leipzig-Utd all the way.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This Lazio/Brugge game has been quality.

Brugge unlucky not to be winning as Pepe Reina has been shit.

[Danny]

Meant for Shinners.

Fair :D

Was a little confused.

[randomlegend]

Excellent start :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

#OleOut.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Soft penalty for Ronaldo.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Angelino is shitting on us.

[Ian]

Who was it who thought this was all going to be fine?

[Danny]

How can we have 5 ATB and still let Angelino have the run of the field?

[Don]

Still 5-2 on aggregate tbf.

[Waffdon]

Not like Telles to have no idea what’s going on behind him

[mugbull]

Shit going down in Paris

[Waffdon]

If that Forsberg shot went in :D

[Don]

I'm weeping at the Angelino space. Fucking Stevie Wonder can see the problem but this Norwegian cunt is too busy smiling and talking about Man Utd tradition to do anything about it.

[Danny]

Fuck it. Pull a Mourinho. Hook Shaw now and go back to 4-3-3.

[Spoonsky]

Messi v Ronaldo tonight :cool:

Might be the last time?

Forget them, it's the Weston Mckennie show :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1336405978854662148

McKennie is going to be great.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Istanbul have walked off, they're saying that the fourth official called Demba Ba the N word...

[Jimmy Floyd]

Shit going down in Paris

What's going on? Has the whole Turkish bench been sent off or something?

[Lewis]

I'm weeping at the Angelino space. Fucking Stevie Wonder can see the problem but this Norwegian cunt is too busy smiling and talking about Man Utd tradition to do anything about it.

They could have done with a bit of 'tradition' instead of this wank formation. And then he stands there shouting at his Shaw/Telles/Matic triangle to move it quicker. They can't.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1336406653386764291

1336405913863942149

Fucking hell.

[Waffdon]

Kepa conceding his first shot on target :D

[mugbull]

What's going on? Has the whole Turkish bench been sent off or something?

Abandoned match, someone on the referee team hurled around an epithet or two

[Jimmy Floyd]

Racist refs, got that in the bingo card, get in there.

[Lewis]

What does a voided result do to the group?

[Luca]

Eastern European crew as well. Checks out.

[niko_cee]

What does a voided result do to the group?

Dunno, but maybe Ole should start chucking a few about.

Couldn't hurt.

[Lewis]

Imagine working your way up to becoming a Champions' League level official and then just racially abusing somebody on a whim. :lol:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1336409020106764292

Obscene for a CB to pull that off.

[niko_cee]

He's absolutely shanked that.

[Spoonsky]

Hadn't clocked that Buffon was playing for Juve. 42 years old.

[Lewis]

He's absolutely sliced it.

[Lewis]

He's absolutely shanked that.

Wahey.

[phonics]

Whole thing is mic'd up cause no fans. Enjoy

1336409189837647872

[Jimmy Floyd]

Someone in the touchline scuffle video is pointing out that Romanian is a Latin language and the word has the same roots so the guy has no excuse. Give that man a cold beer and a payrise.

[Giggles]

Someone in the touchline scuffle video is pointing out that Romanian is a Latin language and the word has the same roots so the guy has no excuse. Give that man a cold beer and a payrise.

According to that above he said “This black guy”. Not that he should, but I don’t think it was the big N.

[randomlegend]

According to that above he said “This black guy”. Not that he should, but I don’t think it was the big N.

It sounds like he said "this negro" and is making the argument that that as far as he's concerned that just means "this black guy". Ba is saying even if that's true, why are you referring to him as "this black guy" when you wouldn't say "this white guy".

[Jimmy Floyd]

According to that above he said “This black guy”. Not that he should, but I don’t think it was the big N.

Google translate tells me that all of the above are 'negru' in Romanian so there you go.

[phonics]

According to that above he said “This black guy”. Not that he should, but I don’t think it was the big N.

That’s Demba Ba explaining the situation without using the word. Here’s the coach reacting to the original incident.

1336406409014091782

[niko_cee]

Would PSG being defaulted (3-0 defeat) suit United? No idea why it would, but that'll probably happen.

[phonics]

Google translate tells me that all of the above are 'negru' in Romanian so there you go.

“I am mandated to speak in English and just happened to slip into local tongue to describe a coach”?

[Giggles]

It sounds like he said "this negro" and is making the argument that that as far as he's concerned that just means "this black guy". Ba is saying even if that's true, why are you referring to him as "this black guy" when you wouldn't say "this white guy".

Ah right, hadn’t picked that bit up.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The angry coach is ex Cameroon forward Pierre Webo, christ that's a blast from the past.

[niko_cee]

Since when have BBC put formations on their livetext line-ups?

[Don]

The assman is Pierre Webo. He should have fucking assaulted the gyppo.

[Don]

Would PSG being defaulted (3-0 defeat) suit United? No idea why it would, but that'll probably happen.

I imagine they'll replay it after the whole of the world comes together to show unity against discrimination.

[Don]

1336412251625025541?s=20

Demba, as good as he was in speaking to him, should have smashed his face in too. You've got a freebie ffs, you could rearrange his face and you'd be let off.

[randomlegend]

So apparently the Romanian 4th official used 'negru' to distinguish who he was talking about, which according to the Romanians on reddit (yeah yeah I know) wouldn't be considered remotely racist there and just means 'the black guy'. The coaches/players thought he said 'that negro' and all kicked off.

I don't really know where I stand on stuff like this. It seems a bit ridiculous to suddenly expect every nation on earth to stop using words which have never had racist connotations in their culture, but at the same time I can see why it's perhaps not ideal to be referring to people by the colour of their skin. Although people do get described as 'white guy' (and black guy tbh) all the time with no issue.

[SvN]

I heard he said "negrito"

[Jimmy Floyd]

Do we know if there's anything that would be considered racist in Romania?

[phonics]

Although people do get described as 'white guy' (and black guy tbh) all the time with no issue.

When?

[Lewis]

When?

You must get it a lot.

[Giggles]

When?

The real world.

[niko_cee]

Do we know if there's anything that would be considered racist in Romania?

:D

[Spoonsky]

Do we know if there's anything that would be considered racist in Romania?

:D

Wanted to make the same point but couldn't figure out the wording.

[randomlegend]

Do we know if there's anything that would be considered racist in Romania?

Again I'm having to use Reddit as my source, but yes they reckon there are absolutely Romanian words which you would use if intending to be racist towards a black person, but this isn't one.

[phonics]

Famously not racist website, Reddit. Not a single user has ever been racist or defended it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fucking hell Randrew.

[randomlegend]

Famously not racist website, Reddit. Not a single user has ever been racist or defended it.

That's like saying facebook is racist or twitter is racist. Reddit has 330 million active monthly users. There are racists on reddit, there are subreddits which are full of racists, but mostly it's just a load of people talking about a thing they like.

Do we have a resident Romanian on here who could chime in?

[Dark Soldier]

The missus is Romanian. The 4th official basically said "the black guy", thats it.

Negru is literally the word for black in Romania.

[Lewis]

TTH is racist. :cool:

[Dark Soldier]

Or she could be an absolute racist for speaking her language, fuck knows.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Game will kick back off shortly as UEFA have replaced the fourth official.

[niko_cee]

Was the answer "the black guy'" in response to the question "who did you racially abuse?"?

[randomlegend]

The missus is Romanian. The 4th official basically said "the black guy", thats it.

Negru is literally the word for black in Romania.

:thbup:

The rest of you can chortle my nards.

[Dark Soldier]

Nope apparently the ref asks who he needs to send off and the fourth assistant says the black guy, aka the assistant he probably didnt know the name of.

He could've asked the assistant his name then said "him" I suppose. Would be top comedic timing.

[Giggles]

Didn’t we have a Romanian poster here? Eurovision lad?

[randomlegend]

What the fuck is Solskjaer doing taking Telles off at half-time to put Shaw at left back and then taking Shaw off for Williams :cab:

[Don]

Love it when RL gets his little reddit micropenis out.

I also love the fact at £50m cost and hefty wage-packet, AWB ain't going nowhere for at least 4 more seasons.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Nope apparently the ref asks who he needs to send off and the fourth assistant says the black guy, aka the assistant he probably didnt know the name of.

He could've asked the assistant his name then said "him" I suppose. Would be top comedic timing.

The Istanbul assistant, done...

There was no need to bring his race into it.

[Lewis]

It's a neutral descriptive term if he is the black guy.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

We're so shit.

[Lewis]

This has been rat shit. Get Smallpockets in before a Spanish club moves in for him.

[Ian]

:D

That defending.

[Dark Soldier]

Have you been to Romania? A black person there is highly, highly odd. Literally drove for three hours with a group of them and they gawped when they passed one black person.

In their own language it would not be a racist conotation, I've spent enough time there to understand their culture. How it is interpreted by English speakers interpreting a translated, Romanian native tongue and dialect is up to them.

Its not for me to say what a black person finds to be racist, however from my own experience I highly fucking doubt it is meant with any racist, or offensive edge.

Equally its also not on you to be offended on their behalf but shits and giggles eehh son.

Edit: @ Ukranian shagger

[Don]

"That's football. We knew it was going to be difficult, they're a top side but I thought the boys were unlucky. Bruney hit the bar and if it was 2-1, who knows. But this is Man Utd, we'll now focus on winning the rest of our games and having a good season still."

https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/67/590x/Man-Utd-news-Ole-Gunnar-Solskjaer-contract-Manchester-United-Old-Trafford-1365907.jpg?r=1606644316373

[Lewis]

DS books a few calls on Adultwork and now he's Michael Palin. Give over lad.

[Dark Soldier]

Mate I've been all over the place last few years. You stick sipping milk in ya wood shack down in Hull pal.

Sippin by the dock with the gays and all that

[Don]

DS books a few calls on Adultwork and now he's Michael Palin. Give over lad.

Dead :D :D :D

What are you even trying to achieve by defending an Eastern European society's views on ethnics?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think if you're a UEFA ref officiating in a Champions League game you have to know not to refer to people by their race.

[randomlegend]

Love it when RL gets his little reddit micropenis out.


You're going to have to start doing better than 'LOLOL you've got a small willie" if there's going to continue to be any value in this feud.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Have you been to Romania? A black person there is highly, highly odd. Literally drove for three hours with a group of them and they gawped when they passed one black person.

In their own language it would not be a racist conotation, I've spent enough time there to understand their culture. How it is interpreted by English speakers interpreting a translated, Romanian native tongue and dialect is up to them.

Its not for me to say what a black person finds to be racist, however from my own experience I highly fucking doubt it is meant with any racist, or offensive edge.

Equally its also not on you to be offended on their behalf but shits and giggles eehh son.

Edit: @ Ukranian shagger

Then he shouldn't have gotten into a job that sees him work with people from different cultures and races.

[Giggles]

Would be just like it for Utd to come back on this and save the useless cunt again. His sacking is the most prolonged inevitably of all time because there’s always that one result saves him at the right time.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

Have you been to Romania? A black person there is highly, highly odd. Literally drove for three hours with a group of them and they gawped when they passed one black person.


Never mind Romania, if it wasn't for the fact that my work seemingly has the entire county's population of black people employed I would pretty much never see a black person.

[randomlegend]

I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't see a black person in real life until I got to high school tbh.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't see a black person in real life until I got to high school tbh.

I'd go with that as well. There were 2 (brothers) at my high school out of around 1000-1100 pupils.

[Giggles]

I remember seeing one when I was in my teens and we were hanging out the windows of the car for a better look it was that new a thing. I’d imagine Romania is a bit like that today.

[Waffdon]

They’ll get another. Should have lumped on at 3-0

[Lewis]

My school had over a thousand kids from what was meant to be the largest catchment area in the country, and there wouldn't have been enough non-white people for a police line-up, let alone a full drill crew.

[Dark Soldier]

Then he shouldn't have gotten into a job that sees him work with people from different cultures and races.


Yeah tbf he should've just stook to his own. Send the bastard back.

[niko_cee]

lol if Leipzig bottle this.

[Lewis]

Then he shouldn't have gotten into a job that sees him work with people from different cultures and races.

You referring to the Turk who nicked your cambird as 'Mert's cousin' was racist.

[Spikey M]

Mahow making a strong case for his exclusion from all areas where women may be present there.

[Giggles]

Didn’t even notice it was 3-2. Did they let that Pogba header stand? :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah tbf he should've just stook to his own. Send the bastard back.

Not what I was saying.

If you get a job which sees you work with people from different cultures and races you have to be aware of those things and adapt to be more inclusive.

You can't just claim ignorance.

[Dark Soldier]

Not what I was saying.

If you get a job which sees you work with people from different cultures and races you have to be aware of those things and adapt to be more inclusive.

You can't just claim ignorance.

He was literally speaking in his native tongue. The word for black in his native tongue sounds deceptively like 'Negro'.

If he'd said "that negro there" in English, I'd buy it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He called him "the black".

That's not a descriptive term and there was no need for him to have even used the word, he was literally pointing at Webo.

[randomlegend]

He called him "the black".


Trying to do such extremely literal translations is surely nonsense. If Romanians are telling you it means "the black guy" then I think it's pretty reasonable to accept that, rather than arguing that ACKSHUALLY the direct translation is "the black".

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1336415602118946821

[Don]

But what do 4chan make of it?

[Foe]

If we are getting all pedantic about using descriptive terms for people I’d like to formally petition that “bald” to be classified as offensive and prohibited from use.

Sounds like a storm in a tea cup based on translation for me. People are always going to use a unique identifier for a person in a group: fat, bald, ginger, tall, girl, guy and skin colour sits in there too. If the coaching staff was all black, would the coach not be pointed out as the white guy? Is that racist?

Interested to hear what Black Lives Matter is referred to/translated as in Romania.

[Dark Soldier]

1336415602118946821

It is literally "the black guy". My missus was born in Bucharest, not just done a course on the language. Same way she studied English for multiple years but still gets definitions and such mixed up, he has done the same.

There is context, subtext, situation etc, as there is with all language.

[Lewis]

'Which one?'
'The... The man. The mister man. Him there. The one nearest the man stood next to... The old and bald...'

[Manc]

The internet lives for this stuff.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It is literally "the black guy". My missus was born in Bucharest, not just done a course on the language. Same way she studied English for multiple years but still gets definitions and such mixed up, he has done the same.

There is context, subtext, situation etc, as there is with all language.

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

She should write to Google and tell them they fucked up too.

[Giggles]

I’d say Millwall are glad anyway.

[randomlegend]

1336415602118946821

I'm glad this guy was here to tell the Romanians what their language means.

[Spikey M]

You absolutely would say 'the white one' and nobody would give a shit. Race exists. Skin colours exist. If you have a white man and a black man standing next to each other and you have to select one of them for whatever reason; 'the black one' is a perfectly valid answer.

Jesus wept.

[Dark Soldier]

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

She should write to Google and tell them they fucked up too.

Read the post, 'how. Its situational usage. Language isnt always literal.

Google translate, jesus christ.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm glad this guy was here to tell the Romanians what their language means.

Yeah, he should have told us via actual Romanians on Reddit...

[randomlegend]

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

She should write to Google and tell them they fucked up too.

The precise meanings of words change depending on context in every language you absolute autist.

[randomlegend]

Yeah, he should have told us via actual Romanians on Reddit...

Given you've got DS posting that his actual Romanian partner has corroborated exactly what they said, I'm not sure what kind of point you're trying to make other than to shout "LOLOLOL REDDIT I WIN" like a 4 year old.

[Don]

Man Utd lads absolutely on tilt. Lewis, get involved.

[Lewis]

I'm glad this guy was here to tell the Romanians what their language means.

https://i.imgur.com/zv9m9zb.jpg

Floyd and 'Daws' have had a shocking lockdown.

[Dark Soldier]

The precise meanings of words change depending on context in every language you absolute autist.

Thats "autist absolut" in Romanian mate

[randomlegend]

Man Utd lads absolutely on tilt. Lewis, get involved.

I'd tell you to savour our bitterness, but, well, y'know...

[Dark Soldier]

https://i.imgur.com/zv9m9zb.jpg

Floyd and 'Daws' have had a shocking lockdown.

:D

[Don]

Micah Richards has been on reddit and boy is he getting some stick from BLM for it.

[Lewis]

Imagine looking like that and broadcasting the fact you moved to Romania just to shame a fourth official. It would be like Gary Glitter moaning that nowhere sells proper toffee.

[Bob Sacamano]

He called him "the black".

That's not a descriptive term and there was no need for him to have even used the word, he was literally pointing at Webo.

Why say The Black ?

Because saying "That gentleman with the huge nostrils and shiny head" is not economical.

[phonics]

Pages of this stuff when it's very simple.

Anyone doing the 'Romanian culture says x' may as well don a Suarez is innocent shirt.

He's an official, he's held to higher standards than some Romanian bloke off the street.

He wouldn't identify the other staff by race. I highly doubt he'd identify one of the coaches as 'the arab' or 'the yellow one'.

All the players asked for was to have that one official, the 4th official, removed from the officiating team and they refused.

[John Arne]

Referring to people by their physical characteristics is now racist. V.interesting.

The yellow skinned lady next to me will be surprised.

[John Arne]

To those who think it's racist... Does this mean you shouldn't refer to a 'chinese bloke' in a group of he's the only Chinese lad? Or even a woman? This isn't a straw man - it's genuine - if we can't refer to people by physical characteristics, what can we use?

[Mellberg]

Turkish side leading the fight on racism?

Next week Rolf Harris stands up for victims of the Catholic church.

[phonics]

To those who think it's racist... Does this mean you shouldn't refer to a 'chinese bloke' in a group of he's the only Chinese lad? Or even a woman? This isn't a straw man - it's genuine - if we can't refer to people by physical characteristics, what can we use?

If you want to go that route you can try not to say something that sounds extroadinarily like the gook/chink/insert other slur here.

What if he'd said the Paki bloke to refer to someone that was clearly from Pakistan?

[John Arne]

If you want to go that route you can try not to say something that sounds extroadinarily like the gook/chink/insert other slur here.

What if he'd said the Paki bloke to refer to someone that was clearly from Pakistan?

'Paki' is offensive, that's the point.

Black, or Chinese, or red headed is not offensive.

[Spikey M]

"Which car is yours Dave?"

The African American one over there.

"Huh? the black one?"

Don't say that you paki bastard!

[Baz]

Well this escalated slowly.

[Lewis]

If you want to go that route you can try not to say something that sounds extroadinarily like the gook/chink/insert other slur here.

What if he'd said the Paki bloke to refer to someone that was clearly from Pakistan?

How would you know someone was 'clearly' from Pakistan?

[SvN]

How would you know someone was 'clearly' from Pakistan?

https://i.imgur.com/6PG2Ihs.png

[Don]

https://media.tenor.com/images/42760717818eed09db211635761138c7/tenor.gif

[Spikey M]

I like the idea that it's the Officials fault that 'Black' in his language has a passing resemblance to 'Negro'. What is he meant to do, pull out a Dulux Colour Chart?

[Lewis]

He could be an Indian getting bantered on his stag weekend.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If you've played enough shit club cricket you can tell a Pakistani from an Indian at 100 paces. When I used to captain, as soon as I saw anyone with a beard and/or green helmet get out of their chair to bat next, an extra cow corner would go in. 'Strategic racism', I used to call it.

[Lewis]

George W said 'the Pakis' that time, so I'm not sure it even has offensive connotations beyond a few countries. I bet backwards Romanians would throw it round without knowing.

[Spikey M]

Who was the commentator that got in trouble for saying Niggardly? He's not alone, whoever it was.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_about_the_word_niggardly

[randomlegend]

.
Anyone doing the 'Romanian culture says x' may as well don a Suarez is innocent shirt.


We did this the other day. Suarez said shit like he kicked Evra "because he is black". You'd have to have been lobotomised not to see the difference.

[mugbull]

He clearly said 'the black guy'. You would say 'the white guy' if, say, you were refereeing a Chicago public school basketball game, because it's a useful descriptor if he's the only white guy on the court. Similarly if there's only one black guy in the coaching staff. Romanians are full of malice from top to bottom though, so I guess you could assume anything you wanted to about his intentions

[Waffdon]

1336442675223007233

Lol what

[randomlegend]

He's just revising what he said. "You can't feel sorry yourself. Ok maybe for a few minutes you can, but then you have to...etc".

[Manc]

United need to take a page from the Arsenal manuscript and simply accept mediocrity.

[Don]

I got a couple Arsenal memes today on whatsapp as if them being shit is news. Utd 3rd in that group is also par, did well to secure a top seeding with their 9 pts for the EL draw.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My mate sent me something about Arsenal having had more foul throws than goals, or something, and I just thought: who do you think I am?

[Don]

I imagine Salah went in and threatened to behead Angela Klopp if he didn't get the start but what the sweet fuck is Fabinho doing on the pitch?

[niko_cee]

You hankering for a bit of Big Billy?

[Don]

I thought it might be because we had no one else initially but the fact we risk the double and get prevented from watching him is disgusting.

Lol at that goal. Seconds after Origi tries to play a meaningless 5 yard pass into Salah's feet which he completely ignores as he is too busy attempting to break their defensive line :D

[Don]

When tf did we sign that lad from One Direction?

[Don]

Fucking hell, he's like prime Xavi.

[niko_cee]

Very tempted to get a Clarkson 65 shirt for one of my kids.

[Don]

I don't want to overdo it as it's not my style but he's better than Xavi.

[Pen]

I hope you’re not talking about the former Spanish international and Qatari lottery winner Xavi.

[Don]

VAR has really heightened the excitement and officiating accuracy of this game.

[Spoonsky]

Ajax have had such a tragic time in the Champions League the last three years.

[Manc]

How did Xavi compare with Pirlo? Pirlo was definitely the more gifted, but Xavi perhaps more effective.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ajax have had such a tragic time in the Champions League the last three years.

Their performance tonight has been one of the worst in the history of club football.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It was awful, although the 18 year old making his debut shouldn't have been sent off. That's never a second yellow.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Alexis with a header on target (probably would have scored) and it hits an offside Lukaku in the head.

Inter on the verge of going out of Europe.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Whole of the Gladbach team crowded round one mobile phone to see what's happening in that match.

[Waffdon]

1337007919708196864

Is that Harvey Price with a pair of tits

[Luca]

Can't believe Grealish has stolen Taz's missus from him. Thoughts and prayers Don xx.

[Don]

Holy shit, he's gonna piss his career up the wall but what a way to do it :rasta:

[Spikey M]

https://ll-media.tmz.com/2012/04/27/0427-mia-amber-davis-roadtrip-1.jpg

[Manc]

Is this Lingard's ex?

[Waffdon]

I see Leeds lost again. The most overhyped team for years

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fight him, Taz.

[Don]

That's against David Moyes' West Ham you're basing judgements on, son.

But put it like this, there isn't a single player in that squad that would be deemed good enough for the league (Meslier closest?) and they're cruising to safety.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's a bunch of Championship no-hopers playing dreamy attacking football, there is no hype. There is just the rare exhilaration of watching a team that is not a utilitarian bunch of percentage shites.

EDIT: Taz and me Understand Football.

[SvN]

This year's Sheffield United. Give it 18 months and Bielsa will be managing Newell's Old Boys, Taz will be back in hiding and and Leeds will be back in the Championship.

[Waffdon]

That's against David Moyes' West Ham you're basing judgements on, son.

But put it like this, there isn't a single player in that squad that would be deemed good enough for the league (Meslier closest?) and they're cruising to safety.

Rodrigo starts for Spain lol. I see where you’re coming from but they’ve spent a decent amount and have a better team than who is believe them. They’re not underachieving or overachieving.

[Alex]

We looked admittedly woeful today. I'm worried about the defensive situation going forward. We can't defend set pieces to save our lives, yet seem to go out of our way to constantly give away set pieces in dangerous positions on the edge of the box. No real height or muscle in the team at the minute. Meslier is great though. We would have lost by a least a couple more if not for that lad.

Koch is out for three months apparently and Llorente is still not properly fit, and also presumably now carrying significant mental scars from those weird noises the Chelsea fans kept making at him last week. Worrying times.

[Baz]

Is this Lingard's ex?
She’s with Jason Derulo, if it’s the one I think you’re on about.

[phonics]

Was trying to prove a point to someone about team-mates who hated each other playing well and I ended up watching this clip looking for Andy Cole Sheringham combinations and then I saw Cole/Yorke combine for one of the best goals I've ever seen.


https://youtu.be/K_KKBMrL5qM?t=123

Cole and Yorke have to be the most under rated partnership of all time. They were unstoppable.

edit: Timestamp doesn't work. It's at 2:00. 2:40 is also perfection.

[Shindig]

Our match is on today. Matt Ritchie's been talking to the press saying how the gap will give us no excuses. Meanwhile Brucey's been talking like they were unable to field a team last weekend. I guess if they were all in isolation, that's true. Our teamsheet could be interesting.

[Kikó]

Cole and Yorke is probably one of the first strike partnerships most people think about (probably UK at least). Not sure they were that underrated.

[Don]

Rodrigo starts for Spain lol. I see where you’re coming from but they’ve spent a decent amount and have a better team than who is believe them. They’re not underachieving or overachieving.

He's dogshit. Koch is one who I forgot. The shitness of the bottom four so far is clouding judgements and making it seem like Leeds and Brighton are only being saved by that fact but even if you don't see the fact they are better than most CL sides, the fact they can be safe whilst playing the football they do demands pure respect, if yesterday's game was West Ham against any random Brexit football side I wouldn't have bothered tuning in.

[Mellberg]

Yorke and Milosevic > Yorke and Cole

[Manc]

Beckham wouldn't survive in the modern game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He would play right back I would think.

[mugbull]

He'd be Gylfi Sigurdsson

[Kikó]

What a load of gibberish.

[Reg]

I think right back is a good shout. He'd be a better Alexander-Arnold.

[Lewis]

I always wonder whether they should have scored more. People lol at the Glenn Hoddle quote about Andy Cole needing five chances to score, but his figures for United, bearing in mind what he was playing in front of (and against) do seem to bear that out. Alan Shearer signing for them really is the great what if of English football.

Anyway, I feel like United are overdue a proper battering off City, and now is the time to be getting it.

[phonics]

I think right back is a good shout. He'd be a better Alexander-Arnold.

Applying modern standards to some players doesn’t work because the reason they succeeded is what would have made them succeed no matter the generation. Beckham trained his way back into a Real Madrid side managed by Capello at in his mid 30s. His skills took him so far, his work rate took him to the closest thing football has to Jordan.

[Andy]

Beckham would just play through the middle and boss things. No way are you playing someone that good at right back.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If Shearer had signed for them, stayed fit and not fallen out with Fergie, then they would have won everything (rather than nearly everything) until about 2002 when they would have had Nistelrooy in anyway, so the only great difference would be that Wenger might not have had his early double and the Newcastle/Bobby Robson renaissance might not have happened so easily. I'm not sure lack of firepower was what was stopping United winning another European Cup in that period.

[Giggles]

Beckham would be far too good to waste at right back.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Beckham would just play through the middle and boss things. No way are you playing someone that good at right back.

Old Beckham would, but young Beckham? I'm not sure he becomes the kind of player he does if there isn't a nice 4-4-2 trend for which the right midfield berth is absolutely perfect for his skillset.

[phonics]

Old Beckham would, but young Beckham? I'm not sure he becomes the kind of player he does if there isn't a nice 4-4-2 trend for which the right midfield berth is absolutely perfect for his skillset.

45 year old James Milner is a major part of the most high tempo team in the world. Beckham would be fine.

[Lewis]

If Shearer had signed for them, stayed fit and not fallen out with Fergie, then they would have won everything (rather than nearly everything) until about 2002 when they would have had Nistelrooy in anyway, so the only great difference would be that Wenger might not have had his early double and the Newcastle/Bobby Robson renaissance might not have happened so easily. I'm not sure lack of firepower was what was stopping United winning another European Cup in that period.

If they had got past Dortmund in 1997 then Juventus would probably have out-tacticked them in the final, but 1998 and 2000 were narrow exits, and Ferguson clearly put both of them down to firepower because he bought Yorke and half-signed van Nistelrooy in response.

[phonics]

Remember that 6 month period where Lars Ricken was going to be the greatest of all time?

[Jimmy Floyd]

My memory was that Jaap Stam was considered the 'missing piece' when he signed in the summer of '98, but my memory is not always perfect.

One thing United didn't really do in that period, despite all their title wins, was Bayern things up and get into a position where they could or did hoover up literally anyone good from rivals - they allowed Leeds, Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea to build up good sides around that time, the good Liverpool players were always out of reach, and Ferguson wasn't too adept in the foreign market until the next decade (and probably not even then). If Shearer had gone there it would have been a big step towards being in a Bayern situation.

[Lewis]

Getting Patrick Vieira instead of Juan Veron in 2001 could have done it as well, even if indirectly as Arsenal broke apart.

[Don]

Semedo :D gtfo with your bollocks pace and Barca stint.

Wolves in biiiig trouble depending on who they sign in January.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Mike Dean fucking loves a card.

[Waffdon]

Mike Dean fucking loves a card.

He was having a celebration after giving out his 3000th card.

[Mellberg]

Fucking chuffed with that.

[phonics]

As someone who knows how that area works. I'm not sure I could think of a more enjoyable way to win one of those.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Who would have thought that 87 year old Ivanovic is a bit crap?

[Reg]

Beckham would just play through the middle and boss things. No way are you playing someone that good at right back.
Not sure of the logic of that. So because Alexander-Arnold is a better player than James Milner/Gini Wijnaldum (as I think most would agree), are you going to play the former at centre mid? You'd waste his crossing and switches of play. Right back isn't necessarily less important or influential than centre mid.

I think Beckham would be still great anywhere (not least because hardly any teams have set piece experts), but maybe best at right back.

The other thing is that players dictate formations as well as vice versa. How much of the lack of 4-4-2 is because crossing has got worse? It's low percentage and low xG blah blah, but I reckon Beckham in a 4-4-2 would still create loads of goals from crosses today.

[phonics]

Leicester won the league less than 5 years ago playing 4-4-fucking-2 with Marc Albrighton in the Beckham role. He'd be fine.

[Lewis]

You think of David Beckham and crossing because he played where he played. Stick him in the middle, where he whacks fifteen a season in like a proto-Steven Gerrard, and he gets remembered for his passing and shooting.

[Ian]

One thing United didn't really do in that period, despite all their title wins, was Bayern things up and get into a position where they could or did hoover up literally anyone good from rivals.

I suspect this is due to Sky money for the most part. None of the rivals needed to sell to United and even if they had they'd have been able to attract suitable replacements, with a few exceptions.

Shearer to United is a fun what if though.

[phonics]

You think of David Beckham and crossing because he played where he played. Stick him in the middle, where he whacks fifteen a season in like a proto-Steven Gerrard, and he gets remembered for his passing and shooting.

People wank themselves over Kalvin Phillips but think Beckham should play right back.

[phonics]

I suspect this is due to Sky money for the most part. None of the rivals needed to sell to United and even if they had they'd have been able to attract suitable replacements, with a few exceptions.

Shearer to United is a fun what if though.

David Dein revealed that Roman Abramovich bid 50 million quid for Henry before Torres was even a twinkle in his eye. Dein says 'Fucks sake Roman, if you've got that much money why don't you just buy us' and Roman says 'I tried but HSBC said you weren't for sale'.

[Lewis]

You get those United players today you have a midfield three of Roy Keane committing 'tactical fouls', Paul Scholes 'controlling the tempo', and David Beckham getting forward. Ryan Giggs cuts in off the right with crap percentages, Lee Sharpe does likewise on the left and all the Twitter fans hate him because he isn't as good, and they bought Stan Collymore instead of Andy Cole for his superior all-round game.

[randomlegend]

Beckham would be curling 30 a season into the top corner off the left wing.

[Manc]

:happycry:

[randomlegend]

We're playing the wank diamond again so expect City to be 3-0 up at half time. We'll change back to 4-3-3 and lose 4-2 or something.

[Shindig]

Joelinton did barely anything in that match and still walks away with an assist. Hero.

[Waffdon]

It was a quality pass to be fair

[Kikó]

I'm baffled by the discussion on Beckham. He was fucking brilliant. Unbelievable technique.

I can't believe Pogba starts this fucking game. It's embarrassing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

No one's saying he wasn't brilliant, just speculating on how modern managers would use him now that his old position is largely out of the game.

[Lewis]

Fabien Barthez would be the undisputed best 'keeper in the world in this reality as well, even when he's throwing them in and SHITHOUSING on penalties.

[phonics]

I'm baffled by the discussion on Beckham. He was fucking brilliant. Unbelievable technique.

I can't believe Pogba starts this fucking game. It's embarrassing.

While I agree with you, it is quite funny considering there's probably only 3-5 players in the league with better technique than Pogba.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've already counted five fouls from McTominay including a completely reckless one and the referee still hasn't booked him. What do they need to do?

[Lewis]

They might have been bookings last week, but we're in No Deal territory now you ponce.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Pogba and De Bruyne absolutely light years ahead of the other 20 in this (awful) game.

[Giggles]

Has all the move talk made Pogba be arsed again?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's offside.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Even if he wasn't offside it was a shambolic piece of officiating to give the penalty.

[phonics]

I've already counted five fouls from McTominay including a completely reckless one and the referee still hasn't booked him. What do they need to do?

Jim, I will freely admit that I hate your 'rah rah' interpretation of the game but Hector Bellerin had his 5th or 6th foul throw of the year against Spurs and I was very much on the 'Put him in front of a firing squad' train.

[Lewis]

It would have been a definite penalty. He's kicked him.

[phonics]

Can we just kick off the game by giving United a penalty kick but it only applies if it's a draw or something? It's ridiculous.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jim, I will freely admit that I hate your 'rah rah' interpretation of the game but Hector Bellerin had his 5th or 6th foul throw of the year against Spurs and I was very much on the 'Put him in front of a firing squad' train.

It's more the huge impact referees have on games with their arbitrary approaches - you have Mike Dean in the earlier game chucking cards around like there's no tomorrow, whereas in this game the guy's basically decided he isn't going to issue one unless he absolutely has to, which they often do in the designated 'big' games.

In neither case are the rules being properly applied.

[-james-]

Martin Tyler really needs to be put out to pasture.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's way better than the modern breed who just read out stats and never shut up.

[Kikó]

While I agree with you, it is quite funny considering there's probably only 3-5 players in the league with better technique than Pogba.

Nothing to do with his technique. All to do with his performance and his wanker agent.

[mugbull]

I should know by this point that Manchester derbies are the fucking worst games

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

There's usually at least one good moment in them though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

United have at least served up the same brand of shite they always do. City have been absolutely atrocious and probably deserve to lose. Sterling looks like he doesn't care.

[Lewis]

A few crap passes aside, Harry Maguire and Big Fat Luke Shaw probably had their best games in ages defending that small bit of space they get forced into by good teams.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The bad thing about fans coming back is the scousers once again rounding up the very few photogenic children in the region and sending them out with 'CAN I HAVE YOUR SHIRT' signs to scalp them later on Ebay.

[Luke Emia]

4 minutes in and they aren’t seething yet. Disappointing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'll let Mendy off that one, it was caused by Thiago Silva being piss-weak against Calvert-Lewin.

[Lofty]

Just to take the board's pulse for a second we all agree this Argentinian transgender player in the women's league is a joke right?

[Waffdon]

I'll let Mendy off that one, it was caused by Thiago Silva being piss-weak against Calvert-Lewin.

Swear you lose to Everton or Newcastle every season

[Jimmy Floyd]

We do, tinpot regional clubs like that get bang up for playing us at home. Sunderland used to be a major problem too.

[mugbull]

Just to take the board's pulse for a second we all agree this Argentinian transgender player in the women's league is a joke right?

Yeah but its the women's problem, not ours.

[niko_cee]

I see Chelsea are busy getting gubbed by the modern phenomenon of no-possession football, although not as badly as Dortmund did earlier.