December football: Who's most out of place?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Is their some weird constant clapping background noise in the Spurs-Leicester game?

It's what real fans do all the time.

[Pepe]

Is Pepe an América fan?
LAFC have just knocked them out of the Champions League :drool:

I am. :moop:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Spurs were absolutely honking in that half yet again, they set up as if they were away to peak 2010s Barcelona with Pele and Maradona up front.

[Shindig]

The wheels are well and truly off.

[Yevrah]

Ruling that goal out is absolutely ridiculous.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Were the lines even right? It looked to me like Aurier was playing him on.

[niko_cee]

Once it goes to the lines it's anyone's guess, which is why the lines should be consigned to the bin of history.

Spurs are absolutely rancid, but it's not that surprising. They have been for most of the season.

[Luke Emia]

I know Spurs are specialists in declaring themselves as being in title runs then falling away quickly. But, this past week could be their best effort yet.

[Foe]

Once it goes to the lines it's anyone's guess, which is why the lines should be consigned to the bin of history.

Spurs are absolutely rancid, but it's not that surprising. They have been for most of the season.

Such a simple way to improve VAR there. The lines don’t make things better. Leave it to human eye.

[SincereTheRebel]

You've got a few good youngsters knocking around, Watkins, Adams, Calvert-Lewin etc they're all young. Then you have the obvious ones like Rashford and Greenwood.

Lewin has multiple prem league seasons on his resume. He has been given time. The others will have one season to show and prove. The chances of them getting multiple seasons in the prem while not delivering is slim.

[Waffdon]

Are Leeds drunk? What an awful start that was. Goal was coming the whole minute of play.

There should be about 12 goals here

[Waffdon]

They’re an absolute mess of a team :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:drool:

Why did they give Bruno so much time on the ball?

[randomlegend]

Do Leeds realise it's kicked off?

That's a brilliant finish from McTominay btw.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a don.

[randomlegend]

?????????????????????

That was even better from McTominay, most strikers wouldn't have taken that pass half as well.

[Lewis]

That's the New Year title charge starting.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Scottish Messi.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bamford has nine league goals in 13 games. Imagine how many he would have if he wasn't completely useless.

[Ian]

Bamford has nine league goals in 13 games. Imagine how many he would have if he wasn't completely useless.

Getting the results despite being evidently pretty shit?

Maybe he'd be the perfect striker for United.

[Magic]

This is pretty awful.

[Spikey M]

I know Spurs are specialists in declaring themselves as being in title runs then falling away quickly. But, this past week could be their best effort yet.

When have Spurs ever declared themselves in a title race?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That is a lovely pass by Fred.

[Pleb]

Fernandez :cool:

[Pleb]

Leeds :D

[niko_cee]

This is going to be the reverse of the weekend where United and Liverpool conceded 6 and 7 respectively.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Festive Champions.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This game is a perfect example of why Bielsa is brilliant. There is no compromise. There is no damage limitation. They just carry on playing football in the way he thinks is best. Three or four personnel changes will get them another 20 points up the table next year.

[Lewis]

Leeds are too tactical. They can't handle the team without tactics, like some sort of Pokemon weakness.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This could be any score.

[Offshore Toon]

What IPTV do people use? Bit fed up of mine.

[Magic]

Gary THE MAESTRO Neville calling Bielsa's tactics childlike was something else.

[Lewis]

Why wasn't that blatant foul looked at?

[randomlegend]

That's another ridiculously harsh yellow for James.

[Andy]

That's another ridiculously harsh yellow for James.

Just crazy, he was running hard at full speed and got an arm across his chest hes quite obviously going to go down.

[SvN]

He's had 3 or 4 ridiculous yellows since he joined. Great goal though.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The sprinter even scores.

[Danny]

How are you not letting Maratominay (Reddit also suggested Tall Scholes) take that penalty for the hattrick?

[randomlegend]

He's had 3 or 4 ridiculous yellows since he joined. Great goal though.

Yep. Refs have just decided he's a diver and book him any time he goes down.

[niko_cee]

Yep. Refs have just decided he's a diver and book him any time he goes down.

Aye, once you get the rep for it, no matter how just or unjust, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Works the other way as well, so, if you have a rep for being fouled a lot (see Grealish) you get bunged 30 fouls a match for falling over whilst in possession.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

How are you not letting Maratominay (Reddit also suggested Tall Scholes) take that penalty for the hattrick?

It's weird that we seem to always give it anyone but the person on a hattrick.

[Lewis]

I said ages ago that Tall Scholes should run the ball more. He's enough of a unit that he could barrel through half the teams like a technically deficient Yaya Toure.

[randomlegend]

1340719026864046085

Not that good :drool:

(Yes I will be posting Bruno stat tweets with every game)

[Giggles]

Utd :drool:

[Waffdon]

23 corners :D

[Raoul Duke]

Why do we keep letting Telles take corners? They are all shit

[randomlegend]

Why do we keep letting Telles take corners? They are all shit

No professional players can take corners any more.

[Lewis]

And yet Harry Maguire seems to waste a sitter off one every week.

[Manc]

Not quite sure how United didn't hit double figures.

[Raoul Duke]

Not quite sure how United didn't hit double figures.

Martial was sleepwalking again

[Kikó]

What IPTV do people use? Bit fed up of mine.

Can send you to the big one I'm on telegram if you want.

Quality victory by Leeds today considering they conceded six and only scored 2. Very satisfying.

[Alex]

Can send you to the big one I'm on telegram if you want.

Quality victory by Leeds today considering they conceded six and only scored 2. Very satisfying.

:D

It did feel a bit like that based on the commentary, didn't it? "This is how football used to be played!" etc.

Even as a Leeds fan the media fixation on Bielsa, and the style of football, and "murder ball" and "oh look he's sat on the bucket!" and the whole thing does get a bit tiresome.

[Reg]

Is it possible that Bielsa’s tactical nous has been vastly overrated and his ability to convince players to RUN and never stop running has been vastly underrated?

[SincereTheRebel]

1340720080330616833?s=19

[SvN]

The idiot cashed out for 2 grand

[Manc]

Why on earth would you cash out with the score at 4-1?

[Mellberg]

Couple of nice trips to the Black Country this last week.

[SincereTheRebel]

Why on earth would you cash out with the score at 4-1?

Pressure. It was 4-1 up until 66th minute. Having seen the cashout drop 1000£ over 20 minutes, its an easy decision for some...

[SvN]

It will be the worst £2k bet he's ever won.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I would 100% have cashed out, probably earlier than that. Once you see a significant amount of money a click away I think you just take it.

[Andy]

I'm not into betting at all so may be wrong but isn't the correct thing to do start betting money on all the outcomes that would ruin your bet?

Maybe he just didn't have enough freely available money or credit and got worried.

2.5k is a lot of money for some people.

[SincereTheRebel]

100%. Especially from the origbal stake. That goal after 66 minutes, the cashout would have been 10k easily.

[SincereTheRebel]

Lockdown
Bad year
Upcoming holiday season

Easy cash out reasons

[SvN]

I'm not into betting at all so may be wrong but isn't the correct thing to do start betting money on all the outcomes that would ruin your bet?


In theory, that's what a cash out is. With an extra margin on top for the bookies.

If you're waiting on a single leg for a big accumulator, you're always better off laying the result than cashing out.

[Yevrah]

Yeah, with him being only a realistic amount of goals away from winning £40k, even three and a half grand is a derisory offer.

[Manc]

I still can't quite belive it. If Leeds had scored to make it 4-2, then fair enough, but that's a horrifying cash out.

[Don]

Maybe he thought Leeds would shut up shop at 4-1.

[Kikó]

All he's losing is £4. Just ride it out you lunatic.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You're losing three grand if you don't take the opportunity to click on a button that pays you three grand.

[Manc]

Nope.

[Foe]

Probably put it on as a joke and would’ve been better if they’d have been working or oblivious to it.

1000/1 winner is not to be sniffed at, even if in hindsight it could’ve been so much more. Betting on correct scores isn’t something I really understand the reasoning behind.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Scott Steiner (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msDuNZyYAIQ) is trending on Twitter thanks to Mikel Arteta:

1341029697682092032

[Don]

:D

If ever I needed further evidence he hasn't a fucking clue. Frank Lampard minus the St George's cross is not a profitable niche.

[Spikey M]

:lol:

[Manc]

Most XG models still have Arsenal in the bottom half. He's on the ropes.

[Waffdon]

Werner playing on the wing again and Jorginho starting a game in 2020 :sick:

[Don]

We're a CHO away from a full house :happycry:

[Giggles]

Is the Wolves hype train fully derailed now?

[Don]

This ain't 2018, fam.

[Shindig]

It's 2020. Everything's derailed. Or at least on hold at Calais.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Werner has definitely had The Operation. Absolutely classic case. Finishes like his knackers have been removed.

[Waffdon]

All on Lampard for losing his confidence. He’s got all the commentators acting as if Werner always played off the left.

[Shindig]

The club confirmed what some of us already knew: Allan Saint-Maximin and Jamaal Lascalles are our Long Covid sufferers. The squad's all tested negative which is a plus but those are two big players to miss.

[Don]

Werner just hasn't a clue what to do now that he has opponents within 20 yards of his shooting position.

Great to see Mark Noble rewarded for his services with a testimonial but stick the Arab on and let's secure the draw for my wallet because West Ham have shat on them with 10 men so far.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They only have themselves to blame, Bowen's 'marking' for our goal was gross misconduct territory.

[Waffdon]

This has been an eyesore

[Jimmy Floyd]

We haven't had the ball since the 20th minute, and West Ham are shite. Giving up 84% at home to a David Moyes side over the last 10 minutes is pretty hmm, though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Werner getting an assist with a dogshit scuffed shot is dangerously close to Full Norres.

[Don]

80 minutes of what was one of the most inept performances going but after 2 dogshit goals:

"Credit has to go to Frank for the brave decision to go with Tammy ahead of Giroud"

:D

Rice looked quality, fairplay. And Bowen is just Rooney's regen but just a tad unlucky he didn't start at a more fashionable youth academy.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Definitely the worst 3-0 win in my time as a Chelsea fan. The centre backs and Mount were good, the rest inept.

[Spikey M]

Any London team beating West Ham 3-0 has had a good day. They only turn up for London Derbies. Although that might be watered down with no fans present.

[John Arne]

Anyone else think that we have gone full circle with British players? From overrating to underrating. Take Andy Robertson... in my opinion, should be considered as top 3 left-backs in the world, possible the best - yet I read something recently and he wasn't even mentioned. Same for Henderson and even Kane.... talk about the best players in the world, and rarely is Harry Kane mentioned... he should be.

[Gray Fox]

Rumours that Liverpool will get Renato Sanches for £18m as they’ve now accepted Wijnaldum will not be staying.

Personally I’d be targeting David Alaba. Versatile and can fill in at CB freeing up Fabinho back into midfield. He’s out of contract in the summer and would likely be got for a reasonable fee.

[niko_cee]

I know it's a payday thing, and if he wants to go to Barcelona there's the Dutch/Cruijff connection, but he's out of his fucking mind to be leaving Liverpool.

I see Yves Bissouma's agent has been working super overtime of late.

[Lofty]

Anyone else think that we have gone full circle with British players? From overrating to underrating. Take Andy Robertson... in my opinion, should be considered as top 3 left-backs in the world, possible the best - yet I read something recently and he wasn't even mentioned. Same for Henderson and even Kane.... talk about the best players in the world, and rarely is Harry Kane mentioned... he should be.

People wank themselves silly over Kane all the time, to the point of defending that bullshit backing into jumping defenders move he does.

Robertson suffers from playing for Liverpool so instead of their fans saying he is a brilliant left back inevitably they start drivelling on about how he is the greatest left back ever to play the game and it makes neutrals temper their opinion in line with the over praising.

Henderson is Liverpool's Darren Fletcher with a golden anus. Klopp, Gerrard and other Liverpool alumni have waxed lyrical about him, apparently Jorge Jesus said he was the best player in the world in his position. It's difficult because you can play that position well without doing anything remarkable. I think he is very good at his role but not as irreplaceable as either Allison, VVD or Salah if their arseholes blistered over.

[SincereTheRebel]

Wij has won all major trophies at Liverpool and Barca are rebuilding. It does not seem like difficulty decision with the dutch connection.

Kane isnt mentioned because he struggles to win

[Waffdon]

Robertson has been one of Scotland’s worst players since joining Liverpool too which doesn’t help. Can’t cross to save himself for Scotland and his defending his a lot more sketchy too

[Manc]

Edwards doesn't miss a beat.

[Kikó]

Rumours that Liverpool will get Renato Sanches for £18m as they’ve now accepted Wijnaldum will not be staying.

Personally I’d be targeting David Alaba. Versatile and can fill in at CB freeing up Fabinho back into midfield. He’s out of contract in the summer and would likely be got for a reasonable fee.

Is Renato back to normal?

[Gray Fox]

No idea. That would require watching French football and no one does that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Apparently he's been good but yeah, fuck French football.

[Luca]

Lewis was bang on about Rashford's tweets: https://unherd.com/2020/12/whos-behind-marcus-rashford/

[Lewis]

lol I never knew Frank Lampard got his cock out to those Americans.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Feeding kids as brand positioning to sell 'boxfresh trainers', this is the content I am fucking here for.

[niko_cee]

Is this even Brentford's 1st XI?

[Shindig]

Well, that was shite.

[Don]

Is this even Brentford's 1st XI?

No, about 6 rotations. Newcastle really need to regress to their mean and go down.

[Manc]

How refreshing it would be to see Brentford reach the final.

[phonics]

Literally didn’t even get to turn the tv on before being 1-0 down.

[Giggles]

Are these semi finals?

[phonics]

Love getting two red cards in a row and then watching your opponent do exactly the same thing and have your player chastised for ‘making the most of it’.

Not enraging at all.

[Giggles]

Love getting two red cards in a row and then watching your opponent do exactly the same thing and have your player chastised for ‘making the most of it’.

Not enraging at all.

Yellows?

[phonics]

What?

[Giggles]

What?

Arsenal haven’t had anyone sent off.

[phonics]

You realise Arsenal have played more than this game this season, right?

[Giggles]

I do indeed! RIGHT? \o>

[phonics]

Cool, so what’s your point?

[Giggles]

I mistook you. Big crime, much apologies, etc.

Calm yourself.

[Luca]

Seething Arsenal fans are second only to seething Liverpool fans in my schadenfreude pleasure list.

[phonics]

Lol the only good thing that could save this shit show is now crying from an ankle injury. I give up.

[Kikó]

Are these semi finals?

Quarters. United play Everton soon.

[Manc]

Seething Arsenal fans are second only to seething Liverpool fans in my schadenfreude pleasure list.

The Arsenal seeth cannot be matched. I worry for thier health.

[phonics]

The Arsenal seeth cannot be matched. I worry for thier health.

Manc Liverpool fan shows massive lack of self awareness shocker.

[Mellberg]

I'd have given up watching by this stage.

[Shindig]

Once it genuinely upsets you, take a step back. I am barely checking in on Newcastle matches these days.

[phonics]

I'd have given up watching by this stage.

It’s very much background noise designed to annoy me now. Like the 24/7 Slipknot they played in Guantanamo.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Must be hard posting with tears in your eyes, Phonics.

[Kikó]

I actually think without the full match experience (either going to it or going to watch it a boozer/with mates), I find myself not very connected to the whole experience. Watch the game turn it off. Barely care.

[phonics]

More joyful than waking up any day with the punishment of seeing them through yours, Mahow.

[Don]

Giggles, your missus looks like my uncle.

[Manc]

Not a level head amongst them.

[phonics]

What was the point in even bringing him back on? Absolutely desperate shit.

[Giggles]

Giggles, your missus looks like my uncle.

Must have been drying the hair that day.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:lol:

Quality goalkeeping.

[Lewis]

More joyful than waking up any day with the punishment of seeing them through yours, Mahow.

rekt

[phonics]

Didn’t expect that from the third choice keeper at a french relegation candidate.

[Don]

Those wrists remind me of a few of the TTH residents.

[phonics]

I'd have given up watching by this stage.

Done.

[Mellberg]

Nah, you're about to turn it around. I can feel it.

[Raoul Duke]

Foden looks a bit rapey. Dodgy eyes.

[Don]

Was just about to see he looks fucking phenomenal now. Him, Jones and stick some BLM workhorse like Bellingham and you've got yourself the 2030 World Cup winning midfield.

[Raoul Duke]

Was just about to see he looks fucking phenomenal now. Him, Jones and stick some BLM workhorse like Bellingham and you've got yourself the 2030 World Cup winning midfield.

Assume you mean Phil Jones, who is, astonishingly 28 according to The Internet :cab:

[7om]

I watched the game with the AFTV watch along on my iPad. I shall be doing it again.

[Manc]

Please don't.

[7om]

Please don't.

I probably won’t if they’re winning but watching that DT get angry makes me happy.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I probably won’t if they’re winning but watching that DT get angry makes me happy.

Him and Ty (who seems to be the most delusional man alive) make it for me.

[Shindig]

It stops being fun for me. Like you're a hair's breadth away from watching an actual psychotic breakdown.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, I've never been a fan, I've known people to swear by it, but surely it reaches a point where it just becomes a bit sad/traumatic. Leave the poor buggers to their grief.

[Mellberg]

The best one I've seen is obviously when we arse raped Liverpool 7-2. If Ollie Watkins hadn't hit the crossbar he had a nice quiet night in with a noose lined up.

[Spikey M]

I probably won’t if they’re winning but watching that DT get angry makes me happy.

The DT has made himself a fair bit of money by pretending yo be angry.

[Dquincy]

The DT has made himself a fair bit of money by pretending yo be angry.

This. Surely it's mostly put on as they know it draws in the crowds/$$$.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

ofc it is.

A former member was caught saying he's not an Arsenal fan and is only doing it for the money (he was later dropped).

They also have a "comedian" on called White Yardie who speaks like he's Caribbean and there's probably a fair chance he's putting it on.

[Spikey M]

Robbie is millionaire off this shit.

[Manc]

The whole thing is a circus that needs to die in a bin fire.

[John Arne]

CONCACAF Champions League Final has just kicked off.
LAFC v Tigres

http://elixx.me/aw/partizan.php

[Spoonsky]

LAFC would be the first MLS club to win it, which is pretty sad - and winning it without having bags of pissed tossed on you by the Central American ultras should hardly count IMO.

[John Arne]

LAFC would be the first MLS club to win it, which is pretty sad - and winning it without having bags of pissed tossed on you by the Central American ultras should hardly count IMO.

So far, LAFC have been the better team, but just can't score. Fully expecting Tigres to score 2 in the second half.

[Spoonsky]

The keeper there :D

[John Arne]

So far, LAFC have been the better team, but just can't score. Fully expecting Tigres to score 2 in the second half.

Nailed it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I follow on twitter a few obsessive Arsenal fans that I know irl, and all they spend their time doing is liking and retweeting various spy posts from the U23s, like some sort of dripfeed of bad intelligence going back to Berlin.

'Azeez tidy on the ball. This is what the future of Arsenal's midfield looks like.'
'Saliba played several good passes tonight.'
'Okonkwo looks a far better bet for 3rd choice keeper than Runarsson.'
'The Russians are deserting. Leningrad should fall by Tuesday.'

[Lofty]

I can well believe that. I live a stones throw from the Lancashire FA, where Blackburn and Bolton U23s play PL2 games and in happier times you can stand pitchside with a pint. I went for the Arsenal match, obviously, and saw nothing extraordinary despite Bolagun bagging a hat trick of penalties (2 of the 3 I'd say were soft and probably wouldn't be given in the top flight). Get home and go online to see the hive mind wanking themselves dry over the headline.

[Manc]

Lofty with a one way ticket to AFTV. Hopefully you get interviewed by the midget.

[Lewis]

It feels like Arsenal have been hyping their youth for twenty years.

[Foe]

Mark randall, Craig Eastmond and jay Emmanuel (J-E-T) Thomas a stunning reflection of how that strategy has gone.

Cesc, song, flamini, gnabry, Henry

Who were the main successes who actually did anything?

[Manc]

Dench.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It feels like Arsenal have been hyping their youth for twenty years.

It's something specific to the 21st century Arsenal fanbase, I think, to need to present their own youth as brilliant in perpetuity. The same doesn't seem to apply to clubs like Man Utd or (whisper it) Chelsea who have actual track records of producing a heap of good players.

What is it about the Arsenal fanbase then? Is it that most of the players concerned are black and this makes them feel more cosmopolitan? Is it that they equate development of youth with moral purity, which was definitely what they were going for under Wenger and saw a brief renaissance in the early days of Arteta? I am most puzzled.

[mo]

There is one of these creepy Arsenal youth obsessives on twitter who was spamming the Swindon Town twitter feed with 'play Matt Smith' type things. Seems to have died off now as I can't find the account after a quick search but they do seem to have quite a keen interest in the development of their youth. Not sure if other clubs fans are like this??

(Smith is pretty decent from what I've seen, FWIW, perhaps not quite Arsenal good, maybe Championship good. Mind you, those two standards may well be the same by May)

[phonics]

Literally all fans care more about their youth than their success merits. How many years did Jim follow the career of Josh McAkren? Mahow/RL with Chong, Perreira, Gomes etc.

Just for some reason Arsenal take up a massive amount of space in other fans heads, rent free [/mokbull]

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think I could count on one hand the amount of times I posted about those 3. Well more if you count me slagging off Perreira for his shitness.

[mugbull]

Literally all fans care more about their youth than their success merits. How many years did Jim follow the career of Josh McAkren? Mahow/RL with Chong, Perreira, Gomes etc.

Just for some reason Arsenal take up a massive amount of space in other fans heads, rent free [/mokbull]

You’re the one who constantly posts about Tottenham mate

[phonics]

That was the joke you miserable cunt.

[Lewis]

It's something specific to the 21st century Arsenal fanbase, I think, to need to present their own youth as brilliant in perpetuity. The same doesn't seem to apply to clubs like Man Utd or (whisper it) Chelsea who have actual track records of producing a heap of good players.

What is it about the Arsenal fanbase then? Is it that most of the players concerned are black and this makes them feel more cosmopolitan? Is it that they equate development of youth with moral purity, which was definitely what they were going for under Wenger and saw a brief renaissance in the early days of Arteta? I am most puzzled.

I remember Jack 'Jack' Wilshere being particularly hyped in part due to him being the first one brought through under Arsene Wenger, so it might just be an extension of the entire Good Football/moral high ground stuff. Plus they were a bit second rate post-Tony Blair, so it's something to cling to, like United suddenly making a big deal out of always having a youth 'prospect' in the matchday squad. That was never mentioned when they were good.

[phonics]

Jack Wilshere was hyped because he was really fucking good until his ankle got blown up.

[Lewis]

Yes (https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2011/feb/17/jack-wilshere-arsenal), but there was also an element of him being a new sort of player brought in through this amazing Wenger system.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

There are pictures of him in loads of takeaways round here.

[Don]

First CopaL and now this:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55420024

Is this a sign of the others not touching this shit or are BBC trying to get on the gambling bandwagon or what?

No conplaints here, I would have had to stream this shit for Taremi's involvement anyway.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There are a gazillion Portuguese in London (and probably elsewhere) but otherwise it's a puzzling state of affairs from the state broadcaster.

[Don]

ONS say 5th highest (~250k) non-Brit nationality as of 2015. One of the nicest countries in Europe in terms of nature and climate, they really must have fucked up the economy hard or something.

[mugbull]

That was the joke you miserable cunt.

I don’t think it was actually

[phonics]

The Portuguese rights are insanely cheap. They were on free view last year.

[phonics]

ONS say 5th highest (~250k) non-Brit nationality as of 2015. One of the nicest countries in Europe in terms of nature and climate, they really must have fucked up the economy hard or something.

There are more Portuguese than French here. Every other bar is a Benfica fan club. Them winning the league the other year resulted in the bridge being closed as the sky turned red with flares.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There are like a billion people of Portuguese extraction in France, or Lusitanos as I think they are known (?), people have been leaving Portugal en masse more or less since the Lisbon earthquake over 100 years ago. There's just nothing there, especially for young people.

EDIT: My history has failed, I've got a Lisbon earthquake in about 1905 but it appears it was in 1755. Was there a revolution there or something around early 1900s?

[phonics]

Nah, Portugal was just dirt poor before international tourism was a possibility.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipal_Library_Elevator_Coup

A failed Elevator Coup in 1908 but they failed to capture all individuals which led to:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisbon_Regicide

The King and his heir being killed a few days later. And then:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5_October_1910_revolution

A short revolution.

It seems the Monarchy was not liked.

[Kikó]

Salazar was a dictator until the 70s(?) which may have caused migration from Portugal earlier. Recent times it will have been for the same reason the Italians are all in London, low job prospects.

[Lofty]

Lofty with a one way ticket to AFTV. Hopefully you get interviewed by the midget.

They should get Mantralux on instead, she tweeted 14 times in the last 24 hours from her Arsenal centric Twitter account in varying states of chimp out :D

[niko_cee]

For all the lol Celtic stuff Gerrard's actually turned Rangers into a bit of a machine up there, hasn't he?

Rangers have done alright out of signing Brighton players, maybe they should consider a manager swap?

[Giggles]

He’d be better staying there and cleaning up until the Liverpool job comes up if he ever wants it. A couple of disasters in England in the meantime would rule it out.

[niko_cee]

I have a long enough memory to remember the last time that managerial path was trodden, so would rather find out in advance if he's actually a hopeless mook.

He obviously has to do at least one title with Rangers though and, as you say, it may be more expedient to not take on the poisoned chalice of lower premier league management. It's worked out alright for Bodgers though. Maybe Roman can finally sign Gerrard after all these years once Frank goes in the bin.

[Shindig]

I'm more keen on his European form. That suggests he's got more going on. I rue the day we let James Tavernier go, mind.

[niko_cee]

Wet and windy Wednesday in the potteries.

:drool:

[Don]

Bale (heading ability aside) is truly fucking done at the top level. Alli looks like he's got enough to do ok at some dogshit league so PSG should follow-through with that rumour.

[Kikó]

He's barely played in years. It's not that easy to just snap back into it (although it could be the case).

[niko_cee]

That he never seems to play for Spurs says as much.

30 yarder from the left foot a Welshman, probably wouldn't pick Davies.

[Giggles]

Didn’t Bale basically retire himself about 3 years ago?

[Don]

Fucking been refreshing to watch these games without VAR but the damage has been done as the VAR reflex in the mind is now present.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Can they just end this now and start taking penalties?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Why is he taking off someone who is good at penalties for Luke Shaw?

[Luca]

:cool:

[randomlegend]

Woof. What a hit.

[Lewis]

He's been shit all night as well. :cool:

[Gray Fox]

Look at Mahow the filthy non-believer.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I did not see that coming.

Cracking strike.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Look at Mahow the filthy non-believer.

We'd have won on penalties away given the amount of practice we've had.

[randomlegend]

I know it was probably over, but what is that defending from Everton :D

[Kikó]

Another win for the Supply Teacher. Might have to make him permanent soon.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55432379

On-brand Jose is the best Jose. Seething with fury about a wispy creative player after a win.

[Manc]

Do "confidence players" ever succeed?

[Spikey M]

This is the "mistake" in question. It went back to their goalkeeper for fuck sake.

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[Manc]

Do "confidence players" ever succeed?

Ian Wright.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I remember him pulling exactly the same thing on Joe Cole about 15 years ago after a 3-0 or 4-0 win. The best tricks never leave you.

[Waffdon]

Cheers mate

[mugbull]

Mourinho’s a fucking idiot. The sooner he’s out the club, the better

[Lewis]

I remember him pulling exactly the same thing on Joe Cole about 15 years ago after a 3-0 or 4-0 win. The best tricks never leave you.

The twats he tried it with at United all deserved it, and the world eventually caught up with him thinking Mesut Oezil was a fanny. It's probably why he won't ever manage PSG.

[Raoul Duke]

Thomas "Comb over" Tuchel binned by PSG on Xmas is brutal. Smallpockets looks a shoe in. Ole remains at the wheel

[Manc]

That'll be Tuchel off to Arsenal.

[Shindig]

Club twitter really is awful, isn't it? Lascelles has been pictured back in training and I was about to put a response of, "Good to have him back." or something and saw a wall of "TINPOT CLUB!" response from the likes of Southampton, Sheffield United (let's call him that seeing as his response was how he was turning his season ticket - that we haven't issued - and supporting THE MIGHTY BLADES) and mackem fans.

Seems everyone is either upset at how shit their own team is doing or more than happy to tell other clubs how shit they're doing.

[ScousePig]

Our takeover is finally just about done. Finally.

https://safc.com/news/club-news/2020/december/club-statement-kyril-louis-dreyfus

[Shindig]

Hope it goes alright for you. As shit as we've been, it's been 'steady'. You guys have had to put up with some very public shitstorms. Glory to your new French overlords.

[Spikey M]

Does that mean no more Netflix series'? :(

[ScousePig]

Not necessarily. We've been through a few owners since that started.

[niko_cee]

You're about to be owned by a 22 year old Frenchman with a weird take on the name Cyril?

What could possibly go wrong?

[Shindig]

Is Ready to Go back as your walk on music? It should.

[Mellberg]

Have a bit of sympathy for Sunderland. Have no right being down there really. Especially for a third (?) season.

[ScousePig]

No, Shinners. There was quite a big thing made of it in the past couple of seasons. We're back to Prokofiev in the building up, but in the most recent season with fans it's been some Chemical Brothers song.

Third season, Mellin. It's shit, but we deserve it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a handball.

[randomlegend]

#justbaillythings

[Waffdon]

What was the keeper doing with that one on one? :D

[randomlegend]

Fernandes lucky not to walk there tbh.

[Waffdon]

Evans has been awful today at keeping in line with his defence. 2 yards deep every time

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bruno donning Taz again.

[randomlegend]

Can one of the mods change Taz's name to Donned and set Fernandes as his profile picture.

[Waffdon]

Rashford has turned into a right poncy twat on the pitch since he started feeding the kids.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Rashford has turned into a right poncy twat on the pitch since he started feeding the kids.

I've noticed that (not necessarily related to feeding kids) - seems to have an unbelievably low pain threshold and spends half the match sitting on his arse whining to the referee.

[Gray Fox]

5 points clear if we can dispose of Big Sam. Thiago close to returning too. Things are looking up.

[Lewis]

I've noticed that (not necessarily related to feeding kids) - seems to have an unbelievably low pain threshold and spends half the match sitting on his arse whining to the referee.

Malnourished by his irresponsible mother.

[Don]

Talk to me when he manages to win a game for his side :happycry:

[Waffdon]

I've noticed that (not necessarily related to feeding kids) - seems to have an unbelievably low pain threshold and spends half the match sitting on his arse whining to the referee.

The shoulder ‘injury’ was hilarious. I’m not even sure it was hyperextended.

[randomlegend]

1342839299239100417

[Lewis]

All of those 'Fat Frank' goals would have been deflections as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

'Goal contributions in a calendar year', don't make me start again.

[randomlegend]

'Goal contributions in a calendar year', don't make me start again.

1342835533928660993

:drool:

[Shindig]

Do you win something for that? Like, aside from a turkey at the end of year dinner ... which isn't happening this year.

[randomlegend]

1342835244228075523

[Lewis]

That couldn't have been much of a competition.

[randomlegend]

1342817200860766210

[Kikó]

United are back. Top of the made up assist-goal combo league.

[randomlegend]

united are back. Top of the made up assist-goal combo league.

1342816051868930049

Fulcrum.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Zaha going after Mings :D

[Lewis]

Did he get an assist for the first Leicester goal?