December football: Who's most out of place?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Zaha mindgames'd him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Mings with the most reprehensibly stupid five minutes of football of recent times there.

[Giggles]

Is that abomination they’re wearing in the tweet above a training top or actual kit?

[Giggles]

Micah Richards needs to be removed from tv.

[Mellberg]

Pay attention, because we're class.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Palace's reliance on doing everything through a League One carthorse is a bit of an issue for them.

[phonics]

I don’t think Gabriel even had a close contact. Just come to terms with us being shit and taken 3 games offf.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've never been as confident before a game against Arsenal, which is usually a bad sign, but I don't see how we aren't going to roast you down both flanks.

[phonics]

I've never been as confident before a game against Arsenal, which is usually a bad sign, but I don't see how we aren't going to roast you down both flanks.

I definitely spent points on fantasy to bring in as many Chelsea players as possible. Go mason go.

[Lofty]

I have been far more confident than I am today in the past and watched Chelsea smash six into us so I wouldn't be surprised to see Frank gangbanging Arteta with some corner flags in the later stages of this one. Martinelli probably has a career ending injury today too, based on the way this season is going.

[Giggles]

Who’s the twat in the Sky studio wearing the white runners with the suit?

[phonics]

Mohammed Elneny going from rightfully judged as not good enough to first name on the team sheet is the symbol of how bad we are now.

[Danny]

Captain Xhaka too

[Giggles]

This is horrific. And I watch my fair share of horrific soccer.

[phonics]

Pulisic is so good. The first American to ever live up to the hype.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Although James has had a dreadful game so far, that was a dive.

Also, I'd love to see stats on whether Edouard Mendy has ever saved a penalty in his life. I've seen him against about 8 so far and he hasn't gone the right way even once.

[Pleb]

Woof.

[randomlegend]

Even we wouldn't have got that penalty.

[Lofty]

Does diving exist in the SPL?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Werner literally can't kick the football at all. It's incredible.

[Don]

He'd be so shit-hot if he'd been managed by Klopp. Have to laugh.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Also, I'd love to see stats on whether Edouard Mendy has ever saved a penalty in his life. I've seen him against about 8 so far and he hasn't gone the right way even once.

He's saved 1 of his last 25 penalties. Awful.

[Waffdon]

Lampard ruining this squad :D

He really should be punted

[randomlegend]

Losing your goals + assists as a midfielder record and getting done by Arteta's Arsenal on the same day :happycry:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lampard ruining this squad :D

He really should be punted

Midfield is the issue, we're too slow and ponderous.

Whisper it but I wouldn't be against chucking Havertz on here and seeing what happens, he can't be any worse. Fucking Abraham is complete dogshit, he has no control of his limbs and the ball just bounces off him, which is a huge discrepancy in terms of giving the ball back to the opposition - happened on Monday and again tonight.

[Lofty]

Arsenal haven't led in a premier league match since we got that penalty at Old Trafford yet Lampard somehow engineers us to look capable, West Brom all over again.

[Don]

The lack of open-play goals is telling. Brighton will ruin Arsenal even without finishers.

[Waffdon]

Midfield is the issue, we're too slow and ponderous.

Whisper it but I wouldn't be against chucking Havertz on here and seeing what happens, he can't be any worse. Fucking Abraham is complete dogshit, he has no control of his limbs and the ball just bounces off him, which is a huge discrepancy in terms of giving the ball back to the opposition - happened on Monday and again tonight.

Lampard loses literally every game against a team that is on a losing run

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lampard loses literally every game against a team that is on a losing run

I have no tactical/structural reason why this is, but in about 20% of games the team just turns up looking like it can't be arsed.

[Waffdon]

He’s useless. Was blessed last year and this year with an easy CL group and every other team in the league being utter shit (a bit like this year)

[Jimmy Floyd]

'Useless' isn't a specific criticism though, I'm struggling to attribute the team's shit performances to his coaching in a visible way.

[phonics]

That Rio Ferdinand advert, the Man Utd dinner lady appears to be exactly the same person as the Sunderland Till I Die dinner lady.

[Reg]

'Useless' isn't a specific criticism though, I'm struggling to attribute the team's shit performances to his coaching in a visible way.
On this theme, does anyone know why Arsenal have been so bad (apart from today perhaps)? I've barely seen them. Going off the stats, they are pretty dire offensively. An Arsenal friend says they don't create any chances and just pass to the wing backs to hopefully cross?

On a different note, Aston Villa are 6th and can go above Man United if they win their game in hand.

[niko_cee]

Werner hooked at half time. :happycry:


'Useless' isn't a specific criticism though, I'm struggling to attribute the team's shit performances to his coaching in a visible way.

Chelsea often seem fairly poor from an organisational perspective (which is surely the main thing the manager does). I think it would be quite hard to describe how Chelsea play and they seem quite reliant on individual brilliance a lot of the time (but that may be due to the players they have).

[Jimmy Floyd]

On this theme, does anyone know why Arsenal have been so bad (apart from today perhaps)? I've barely seen them. Going off the stats, they are pretty dire offensively. An Arsenal friend says they don't create any chances and just pass to the wing backs to hopefully cross?

On a different note, Aston Villa are 6th and can go above Man United if they win their game in hand.

In both cases I think it's a case of simply moving the ball far too slowly.

[Jimmy Floyd]

As bad as we've been here, all three of their goals have been a joke - this is a 0-0 game.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, you know you've done something to offend the footballing gods when Xhaka is raining in 30 yard freekicks and mishit crosses are deftly lobbing you admittedly feckless looking 'keeper.

[phonics]

That’s a cross gone wrong right?

[Shindig]

Too good to go down, this lot.

[phonics]

I’ve just realised that’s Zouma not Rudiger, he must have lost about 4 stone and grown 3 inches.

[-james-]

Man U are shit and Chelsea are shit, pass it on.

[phonics]

On this theme, does anyone know why Arsenal have been so bad (apart from today perhaps)? I've barely seen them. Going off the stats, they are pretty dire offensively. An Arsenal friend says they don't create any chances and just pass to the wing backs to hopefully cross?

On a different note, Aston Villa are 6th and can go above Man United if they win their game in hand.

We have no midfield presence. The pass maps are hilarious. This is the first game we’ve had any space whatsoever.

[niko_cee]

Didn't Chelsea absolutely rob Arsenal in this same fixture/game at this time of year last season? Karma.

[-james-]

They each play Villa in their next two games and Villa are coming away from those with at least two points.

[phonics]

Didn't Chelsea absolutely rob Arsenal in this same fixture/game at this time of year last season? Karma.

Yeah, Leno chucked one in in the 90th minute After we dominated the game and Jimmy came on claiming it was a deserved victory. I was seething.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My biggest frustration with Lampard is that I don't know what the hell he sees in Abraham. The guy just doesn't have the touch or precision or class to be a top footballer in any position.

[Don]

Kante as a number 9. This is what happens when you hve no structure or plan because you're incompetent. I'd love to know how much football Fraud Lampard watches.

[Spoonsky]

Especially when you’ve got the best striker in modern football on the bench.

Jimmy

[Mellberg]

On this theme, does anyone know why Arsenal have been so bad (apart from today perhaps)? I've barely seen them. Going off the stats, they are pretty dire offensively. An Arsenal friend says they don't create any chances and just pass to the wing backs to hopefully cross?

On a different note, Aston Villa are 6th and can go above Man United if they win their game in hand.

Fifth. Above Chelsea on GD if they lose :)

[phonics]

Sorry did I just see that we have 7 wins in 15 against the big clubs under Arteta? So glad the club haven’t listened to the fans trying to get him sacked. He’s the best thing to happen to us in years.

[phonics]

Fifth. Above Chelsea on GD if they lose :)

*Searches google for a picture of John Gregory*

[Giggles]

How do the Pepe lad and Aubameyang not start when they (Arsenal) are dogshit?

[niko_cee]

Aubameyang's been injured, Pepe is just awful and not at all for this sort of game.

[Giggles]

Aubameyang's been injured, Pepe is just awful and not at all for this sort of game.

Ah right. He always seemed to score a fair bit.

[phonics]

In the Europa League v goat herders.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Mendy is the worst goalkeeper that has played for us in my lifetime. I know it isn't showing up in the goals conceded etc, but he is AWFUL. He plays every game like a nervous teenager making his debut.

[niko_cee]

This could have been properly embarrassing.

[Lewis]

Oh really?

[Spoonsky]

That line. :D

[niko_cee]

I defy anyone to understand what happened with that review there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Classic Abraham, goal bouncing in off his solar plexus to gloss over another dreadful centre forward performance.

That said, lol at Arsenal getting booking for timewasting at 3-0 up.

[niko_cee]

:D

This is getting good now.

[Spoonsky]

Oh man. Are they bottling this?

[niko_cee]

Or not. Nice skip you useless twat.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Hopefully that was Jorginho's last kick for the club. KICK THE BALL HARDER.

[Spoonsky]

Fucking clown. Just take it normally.

[phonics]

Arsenal falling apart the moment Martinelli goes off. World class.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That was seriously frustrating to watch. Just an inept load of absolute lazy cowardly shite, against an immensely poor Arsenal side that didn't even have to do much other than run around a bit.

[Spoonsky]

I reckon it’s good for Pulisic’s confidence to be the best player by a mile in the squad full of hypey SUMMER SIGNINGS. Haavertz just walks in circles without touching the ball.

[phonics]

Welcome to watching Arsenal for the last 10 years, Jim. This is what it’s like to have a load of talent fail.

[Dquincy]

I've never been as confident before a game against Arsenal, which is usually a bad sign, but I don't see how we aren't going to roast you down both flanks.

Love these posts. :D

[phonics]

Good ebening.

[randomlegend]

Mendy is the worst goalkeeper that has played for us in my lifetime. I know it isn't showing up in the goals conceded etc, but he is AWFUL. He plays every game like a nervous teenager making his debut.

It's fine, you've got an £80m keeper on the bench.

[phonics]

Games been over for 45 minutes and no Chelsea representative has done an interview?

[Giggles]

Games been over for 45 minutes and no Chelsea representative has done an interview?

Waiting for Pochettino to chopper in.

[Shindig]

Frank's spoken to Sky.

[randomlegend]

Waiting for Pochettino to chopper in.

He's off to PSG isn't he?

[Giggles]

He's off to PSG isn't he?
Probably if they’re in the market for one.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Probably if they’re in the market for one.

They are having sacked Tuchel on Christmas Eve. A day after the team won 4-0.

[Shindig]

I really miss the organisation we had under Rafa. Without Saint Maximin we've lost some drive going forward. It's going to be a long season.

[Lofty]

1342906376952152067

Guess the former board member.

[Shindig]

Like fuck she doesn't check her replies. :D

[Spikey M]

Giroud is basically Pele these days. Ageless.

His game is perfect for this. He's basically Teddy Sheringham II. Doesn't need pace or fitness, he will materialise where he is needed.

[Waffdon]

The greatest Scottish manager of all time passed away tonight

[phonics]

Walter Smiths not dead?

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's fine, you've got an £80m keeper on the bench.

If that one ever remembers how to stop a ball (as he used to be able to do), he'll be a lot better than this one.

[Waffdon]

Walter Smiths not dead?

He was Jim McLean’s apprentice. Get a grip.

[Shindig]

If that one ever remembers how to stop a ball (as he used to be able to do), he'll be a lot better than this one.

Play two keepers. If FIFA will allow it.

[phonics]

There’s got to be an analysis of why there’s so many more goals in the first 5 minutes since the lack of crowds.

[Magic]

Our finishing is bloody terrible. Fuck me if we could convert half these chances...

[Jimmy Floyd]

There’s got to be an analysis of why there’s so many more goals in the first 5 minutes since the lack of crowds.

Lack of adrenaline maybe? These must all feel like training games.

[-james-]

There’s got to be an analysis of why there’s so many more goals in the first 5 minutes since the lack of crowds.

https://www.soccerstats.com/timing.asp?league=england

There isn't.

0-15: 63
16-30: 69
31-45: 63
46-60: 57
61-75: 63
76-90+: 98

[-james-]

I now see that you said five minutes. But I spent ten minutes on that so it's staying up. I would be surprised if it were a great deal out from standard deviation.

[Giggles]

I now see that you said five minutes. But I spent ten minutes on that so it's staying up. I would be surprised if it were a great deal out from standard deviation.

Did he mean first 5 compared to other segments of the game or first 5 compared to first 5 other years though?

[Gray Fox]

I take that as first 5 mins now, compared to pre-COVID.

Perhaps the crowd being there switches you on more?

[-james-]

I would guess that it's normally equal across all segments of the game except the last.

[phonics]

I take that as first 5 mins now, compared to pre-COVID.

Perhaps the crowd being there switches you on more?

This is what I was getting at.

[Alex]

Thank fuck that is over. No idea how we escaped with three points, but I'll take it.

[Shindig]

I find it hard to look past the current bottom three as being set in stone. West Brom might sneak out if Allardyce works his magic but he's more akin to big payouts than big results these days. Fulham are becoming harder to beat but they toothless in sight of goal.

[Kikó]

1343163930592636928?s=19

Wow.

[Shindig]

He's err... confident to take people on at least.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The Operation is real.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I did say he wouldn't amount to much at Chelsea.

I did think that Havertz would do more but it's hard when Lampard is refusing to play him in his preferred role.

[Mellberg]

I'm gonna dilute what I say here, as we have them away tomorrow, but that's not very good is it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I did say he wouldn't amount to much at Chelsea.

I did think that Havertz would do more but it's hard when Lampard is refusing to play him in his preferred role.

They have both suffered from the same thing which is that they are used to easy football in the weak Bundesliga - every team leaves wide open spaces and you have so much time, and, in Werner's case, space to exploit. In the Premier League almost every team is well-organised and physical and you don't get time to think about it.

Both have the games to adapt but it's going to take time.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

West Ham are rancid.

[Don]

Brighton are just fucking class. Worried for them without Lamptey but Pothead is doing Pothead things :cool:

[phonics]

Feels like there’s been football podcasts every day for the entire year and the one day we’re good everyone’s decided that they need to take a day off and spend it with their family. Fuck your spawn. I’m raging.

[Giggles]

Feels like there’s been football podcasts every day for the entire year and the one day we’re good everyone’s decided that they need to take a day off. I’m raging.

I was looking forward to one Mr Kenneth Early piling on Sir Frank today myself but the seem to be on holidays.

[phonics]

They did say they’re doing one today. They normally come out around 4-5, I’m just being a bitch.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've pre deleted all today's episodes. When we beat Aston Villa 4-0 next week (or whenever our next win is) I'll listen three times to the episodes about Lampard confounding his critics.

[phonics]

I was looking forward to one Mr Kenneth Early piling on Sir Frank today myself but the seem to be on holidays.

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


https://i.imgur.com/7drHiqr.gif

[Don]

I listened to Football Weekly for the first time in a long time the other day and not only are they still relentlessly making out as if the guy from Paddy Power is your best mate who is trying tomake you money, they now have Max Rushden and Giggles doing 1 minute scripted pieces throughout to prevent you from being able to quickly forward through the ads. The state of it, pure poison. Won't ever go near it again and I urge you all to follow.

[phonics]

You're confusing it. It's the Total Football with James Richardson show that has the Paddy Power bloke on to rinse you of your money. Guardian Football Weekly one did a whole show on how gambling is evil after Rushden got criticised for taking money from a bookmaker and asked his agent to cancel the ad deal.

The one minute of them talking one is a new one for NowTV that you'll find on all football pods. Even Quickly Kevin, the one about football in the 90s gave me a spiel about how I didn't want to miss out on Liverpool v West Brom.

[Giggles]

I gave up when Richardson did. I just didn’t follow him to the other one at the time though.

[phonics]

Total Football show is awful. Football Weekly might actually be better than under Richardson but Second Captains is still king when it's not about rugby. I listened to the Andy Lee interviews again over Christmas, what a man.

One of my fav audiobeds they did 808688977322659840

[Don]

You're confusing it. It's the Total Football with James Richardson show that has the Paddy Power bloke on to rinse you of your money. Guardian Football Weekly one did a whole show on how gambling is evil after Rushden got criticised for taking money from a bookmaker and asked his agent to cancel the ad deal.

Ah yes, but the scripted ads from the two protagonists is the real darkness.

[Giggles]

Total Football show is awful. Football Weekly might actually be better than under Richardson but Second Captains is still king when it's not about rugby. I listened to the Andy Lee interviews again over Christmas, what a man.

That’s a definite about SC with the rugby. I know different sports interest different people and all, but I could even listen to someone talk about things like tennis or boxing or something on the show as the guests/stories can be mildly entertaining. The guests they have on for rugby are mind numbingly boring and always just seem to want to talk about tactics and game breakdowns rather than anything that goes on surrounding the sport.

[phonics]

Ah yes, but the scripted ads from the two protagonists is the real darkness.

Luckily, thats a UK only deal so I only heard it when coming over for xmas. And as I say it's the same ad on literally all football pods this month.

[phonics]

That’s a definite about SC with the rugby. I know different sports interest different people and all, but I could even listen to someone talk about things like tennis or boxing or something on the show as the guests/stories can be mildly entertaining. The guests they have on for rugby are mind numbingly boring and always just seem to want to talk about tactics and game breakdowns rather than anything that goes on surrounding the sport.

The only time I want to hear them talk about Rugby is when Ken starts making fun of 'Rugby People' thinking they're better than everyone. Nothing beats Early shitting on them.

[Don]

This is the most one-sided game that will ever take place in the league. COVID better wipe his fat ass out or else Big Sam will take them down so hard it'll affect their performance next season :D

[-james-]

The key to football podcasts is cherrypicking from a range of broadcasters depending on who they have on a given day. TFS can be good but you need to know to run a mile if they've got Duncan Alexander on, for instance.

[Waffdon]

Joel Matip is absolutely pathetic. Just retire mate

[Jimmy Floyd]

Football Weekly has the best balance of everything I've tried, but I still only listen 2 times from 3 as about a third of their contributors (hi Lars Sivertsen) are unlistenable.

[Giggles]

For the same reason as I can’t listen to Garry Neville I always have to turn off Second Captains when they’ve the lad on who can’t pronounce R’s.

[-james-]

Can't really be having Fulham and West Brom being half decent with Potterball in its current state.

[Don]

Joel Matip is absolutely pathetic. Just retire mate

Best CB in the league after VVD mate, even if it is for 8 games a season.

[John Arne]

Some of the Totally football lot are insufferable know-it-alls. The amount of after-eventing is incredible. "Actually, I thought that might happen" - yeah, sure you did - why didn't you say it last week, then?

[John Arne]

That goal was coming. We need to mix it up in the final third. Far too predictable.

[Kikó]

This is the most one-sided game that will ever take place in the league. COVID better wipe his fat ass out or else Big Sam will take them down so hard it'll affect their performance next season :D

You're really good at this.

[Lewis]

This makes United dropping title race points look worse.

[randomlegend]

This is the most one-sided game that will ever take place in the league. COVID better wipe his fat ass out or else Big Sam will take them down so hard it'll affect their performance next season :D

:happycry:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This is the most one-sided game that will ever take place in the league. COVID better wipe his fat ass out or else Big Sam will take them down so hard it'll affect their performance next season :D

https://media1.tenor.com/images/ec57d870d082429fa2264bd6f3a0b486/tenor.gif?itemid=7692084

[Lewis]

'Don' more like 'Wrong'. :lol:

[Boydy]

Taz, you gobshite.

[Lewis]

'Taz'? 'Spaz' more like. :lol:

[Dquincy]

Draw was the right result. Liverpool didn't do anywhere near enough to deserve the win.

Going to be an open season this one. Up for grabs.

[Don]

Bringing light into the dark void of Utd fans' life, we run this shit.

Also, look at the closet wankers who don't even post opinions coming alive. I'M FUCKING MASSIVE.

[Gray Fox]

The kind of game a Thiago is needed in. Curtis Jones will be great, but he needs to learn when to get rid of the ball properly. Him bollocksing about and trying to play one across his box caused the corner for the goal.

Bringing in an actual CB could swing how the title race goes.

[Don]

Matip injury gonna mean a tetchy month again.

[phonics]

This is the most one-sided game that will ever take place in the league. COVID better wipe his fat ass out or else Big Sam will take them down so hard it'll affect their performance next season :D

You don’t help yourself.

[Spikey M]

Milton Keynes? More like Failing Team.

[Giggles]

They’ll only win the league by 14 points now instead.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

At least he's got all that free money to comfort him.


Liverpool handicaps to recoup it all. -2 at evens is the free money, the rest is what trains are made of.

[Mellberg]

Liverpool are there for the taking if anyone really fancies it. That West Brom team is shit.

[Dquincy]

Matip injury gonna mean a tetchy month again.

The tranny window opens in a couple of days.

[Don]

My Johnstone take proves I'm on the cutting edge of football analysis. I can teach you all, but I have to charge.

[Kikó]

Liverpool are there for the taking if anyone really fancies it. That West Brom team is shit.

You're not winning it ffs.

[Mellberg]

Not in a million. Be decent if Everton did though.

[Gray Fox]

If anyone got their act together for 10-15 games they'd take this easily.

I still don't know how Liverpool are 3 points clear with all the injuries but I'll take it. A new recruit or two needed in January though.

[phonics]

All the injuries :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

Everyone currently between 2nd and 9th have so many weaknesses that it's basically impossible for Liverpool not to win it. Maybe City I suppose but they're not great either.

[Kikó]

Carlitos :D

Liverpool should and will piss it. Battle for 2nd is going to be relatively interesting.

[Dquincy]

You're all talking bollocks. It's wide open.

[Shindig]

I agree. Nobody's running away with it and every club is one Covid cluster away from being borked for a few weeks.

[Mellberg]

It's a shame that United and Chelsea supporters have been that badly neutered they don't fancy their chances against a Liverpool team who have lost 7-2 and can draw at home to West Brom. We've just spent 3 years in the Championship and I feel more optimistic ffs.

[Giggles]

You're all talking bollocks. It's wide open.

For 2nd.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's a shame that United and Chelsea supporters have been that badly neutered they don't fancy their chances against a Liverpool team who have lost 7-2 and can draw at home to West Brom. We've just spent 3 years in the Championship and I feel more optimistic ffs.

Once you've had more than 25 minutes in a top six fight this side of George W. Bush's presidency, you'll remember that they are much more about the sum of your average days rather than your best or worst days, and Liverpool's average days are a lot better than anyone else's.

[Mellberg]

Once you've had more than 25 minutes in a top six fight this side of George W. Bush's presidency, you'll remember that they are much more about the sum of your average days rather than your best or worst days, and Liverpool's average days are a lot better than anyone else's.

That's the sort of winning mentality required to turn it around.

[Kikó]

Yep. And experience is incredibly important on how to win these things. You'd probably edge Leicester's chances over Chelsea and United at this point who haven't got anyone there who knows what it takes to win it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That's the sort of winning mentality required to turn it around.

Since (perhaps unwisely) I have not yet been added to Chelsea's backroom staff, my perspective is that of a fan. I'm sure these teams all believe they are going to win every game, but they are wrong.

[phonics]

I take that as first 5 mins now, compared to pre-COVID.

Perhaps the crowd being there switches you on more?

And another one. This is getting ludicrous.

[Mellberg]

Since (perhaps unwisely) I have not yet been added to Chelsea's backroom staff, my perspective is that of a fan. I'm sure these teams all believe they are going to win every game, but they are wrong.

Essentially declaring them champions when they're three points clear (probably two) with 15 games gone is mental. This is no procession. And considering your form for predictions on the previous page I'd probably not deliver it as fact either.

[phonics]

Everyone drew except us. I’m convinced by the Mellin self help book. Arsenal to win the league.

[Don]

Chelsea top on xPTS. Someone make it make sense :happycry:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Chelsea top on xPTS. Someone make it make sense :happycry:

We are a 'good' team but as efficient as using Yevrah's hot tub to boil your pasta.

[Mellberg]

Everyone drew except us. I’m convinced by the Mellin self help book. Arsenal to win the league.

I'm not that optimistic mate.

[phonics]

I'm not that optimistic mate.

We’re only... *looks at the table for the first time this year*... 18 points off top. I’m a believer.

[-james-]

City will win it, I think. 6 goals conceded in 12 since that game they granted Jamie Vardy a load of penalties.

[Waffdon]

You were dying on that hill last season mate

[Lewis]

Who is this dork on Match of the Day? Know your audience nonce.

[phonics]

1343301964386463745

Incredible.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They all do that, it's not some Kane wankfest. I was watching the Rangers game yesterday and the guy described a Hibs dive as an 'embellished going-to-ground'.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is it time for the stutter penalty to go into the dustbin of history? Just run up and fucking smash it.

[Waffdon]

Everton game apparently off because of City being riddled with covid.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, I bet they are.

[Andy]

Ederson, Cancello, Torres and one other with Covid. Wonder if its backroom staff as well, 4 out for a team with that City squad doesn't seem that much of a hindrance.

[niko_cee]

It is interesting in the 5-subs rule debate though, from the perspective of the 'we started the season with a set of rules and it would be unfair to change them' brigade.

Weren't the agreed rules at the start of the season that unless you didn't actually have 14 available players then you would be expected to fulfill your fixtures? That seems to have changed.

[Ian]

Is it time for the stutter penalty to go into the dustbin of history? Just run up and fucking smash it.

Yes. It's annoying that all of the takers of United's many penalties have cunt run-ups.

[niko_cee]

Was surprised to see United have only had 5 pens in the league this season. Have they had a fuckton in cups or did they just get loads last season? Leicester 5 clear of the field with 10.

[Andy]

It is interesting in the 5-subs rule debate though, from the perspective of the 'we started the season with a set of rules and it would be unfair to change them' brigade.

Weren't the agreed rules at the start of the season that unless you didn't actually have 14 available players then you would be expected to fulfill your fixtures? That seems to have changed.

Seems now its more about not passing the outbreak onto another team.

Neville tweeting that the next two games for City will be called off as well.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1343591505244663808

Surely City have to forfeit the League Cup game then...

[Jimmy Floyd]

Things changed once it happened to a couple of famous clubs (plus Pep would detonate, he probably licked them all to get a winter break).

[Lewis]

There is some big club proofing where they only give byes in early rounds.

[phonics]

Objectively, They should just put Arsenal back in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If you two-footed one of your own team mates, would it still be violent conduct? Asking for Edouard Mendy after he tried to rugby tackle Pulisic just then.

[niko_cee]

I think only actual fighting (a la David Batty) would get you in trouble.

Goalies are always almost murdering their own team mates (how do you spell that properly?).

[Don]

Tammy would have scored a brace from that half-chance.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was about to say that the difference between having Giroud and Abraham up front is night and day, but maybe I should rephrase that.

This game had a weird start when Grealish dived in his own half, didn't get the free kick and had one of the biggest sweary meltdowns I've ever seen for a non-consequential refereeing decision at about 00:42 on the clock - ref has done great so far with just not giving anything when players on both teams chuck themselves down for no reason.

[Don]

Mason and CHO still holding the fort ensuring Chelsea don't make too much progress :happycry:

[Lofty]

It is quite comical that Frank hates Giroud but he is still a solid 20 goal a season striker, most teams outside of City and Liverpool could use him. Not just his goals but his assist play.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Frank doesn't hate Giroud, he just loves Tammy.

He is right to love Mount, probably our best player this season on a consistent basis. End product in terms of goals etc can improve, but it will - everything else has.

[phonics]

People slagged him off for years and then 6 months at Chelsea everyone just started repeating my talking points. I talk a lot of shit but my arsenal opinions on players are always correct.

Also how Is Hudson Odoi on 200 grand a week and no one ever mentions it. I think he’ll go on to be okay but some clubs contracts just don’t get brought up while I have to be reminded Mezut Ozil exists every 8 minutes.

[Waffdon]

It’s no surprise they look better with Hudson Odoi playing. He should play every game when Ziyech is out injured.

[Jimmy Floyd]

People slagged him off for years and then 6 months at Chelsea everyone just started repeating my talking points. I talk a lot of shit but my arsenal opinions on players are always correct.

Also how Is Hudson Odoi on 200 grand a week and no one ever mentions it. I think he’ll go on to be okay but some clubs contracts just don’t get brought up while I have to be reminded Mezut Ozil exists every 8 minutes.

I still haven't got over Dominic Solanke going on strike because he wanted £50,000 a week at Chelsea, if you start me on this fancy dan trying to force a move to Bayern Munich when he'd played about six games for us I might cry. I can definitely see him having forced Gnabry and Douglas Costa out of the side by now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That ball in :drool:

[Waffdon]

Christensen :lol:

He’s useless

[Giggles]

Villa really need to be put back in their box.

[Kikó]

Really not understanding what Beglin is talking about with the VAR/Grealish thing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Really not understanding what Beglin is talking about with the VAR/Grealish thing.

Didn't look like a foul to me and I have no idea how/why Christensen was so badly hurt for it that he had to stay down for the next 10 years. Very soft lad, is Christensen.

[Kikó]

Well indeed, it was a bit of a collision but if Grealish's trailing leg can basically disable you then maybe you shouldn't play football.

[Spoonsky]

Dumb and Dumber on to save Chelsea :cool:

[Don]

Keinan Davis still getting prem minutes :D just have your academy team-up with Blacked already.

[Mellberg]

It's because Ben Mee had Wesley's ACL for dinner in January. That's the difference though. Chelsea bring on two big signings, whilst we bring on the academy.

Tight game, could've gone either way. Ben Chilwell a good signing for Chelsea. Really dangerous.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Interesting game. Lampard wrote a suicide note by naming Jorginho at the back of midfield vs Grealish and McGinn. Fortunately Grealish let him off the hook by having a very poor game with a childish attitude throughout. Other than that Villa were good, we were probably more threatening going forward but they were organised enough and have an EXCELLENT goalkeeper who, unlike many in the league, won't chuck a goal in without warning. Watkins is a very good player for them, very sharp.

For us, we have the right idea but again the execution is just off constantly, especially with the pressing and we seem to give shit tonnes of fouls away in midfield doing this and/or just leaving gaps in behind. Hudson-Odoi is a total show pony. Giroud is brilliant. Havertz, when he came on, looked decent but it seems to me that he is only capable of playing in the middle of the 3 in a 4-2-3-1 and I'm afraid you have to be more versatile than that. Werner missed another sitter and has the composure of a pink wafer. Chilwell was the best player on the pitch by a mile in terms of quality (McGinn in terms of industry) but when we move it we have to be less predictable.

I'm hoping Lampard might have seen enough now and engineer a switch back to a double pivot and give Havertz some starts.

[Don]

So refreshing to hear Smith talk about playing your best XI and not blaming a 2.4% reduction in oxygen in the blood which your medical team have spotted as a result of a lack of 'rest' for your team's troubles. And the fact he isn't a grinning nazi cunt.

[Giggles]

Frank let down by the players again.

[Spoonsky]

Frank let down by the players again.

This is something I've noticed recently. It can't be great for motivation.

Klopp is the polar opposite, he'll defend his players to the death and say they played great even when they've been blatantly lazy or shit. And he's also quick to take responsibility himself (if he's not needlessly slagging off the ref). It just creates a completely different atmosphere around the team.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, but Frank's a proper football man.

He's also been gifted a bunch of gutless mooks who probably need talking down to and basically being told off by a man of such standing. He probably tells Thiago Silva, Giroud and Kanté to leave the room.

[Don]

Seeing RL's buddies stroke their micropenises over a couple of youth prospects recently so looked them up. 2 strikers scoring below 1 a game at the dogshit youth football levels of U18/U23.

17 year old Joe Hugill:

https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjc5Njg1ZGZlLTg5YzAtNDk1YS1iYmY2LTBlZTIwNj gwYzc4YjpiOGVhZjljOC0xMGYwLTQwZmQtOGQxMS1jZWEzOTRj MjE0ZTE=.jpg?width=640

17 year old Charlie McNeil:

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BBTvdIi3CSCQXTt-UzdLovlDH-4=/1400x1400/filters:format(jpeg)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/20150001/1175070730.jpg.jpg

McNeil might have a prem career as a fullback or something but fucking hell :D

They miss the Keinan Davis rule of thumb?

[Lewis]

lol at that first lad. Triathlete maybe, or drama teacher. How is our forty million pound tranny doing at Wolves?

[phonics]

We’re linked with Diego Costa who is so past it that Atletico have released him on a free.

[Raoul Duke]

We’re linked with Diego Costa who is so past it that Atletico have released him on a free.

Not sure why, but reckon he might end up at Wolves. Would be tasty

[randomlegend]

Seeing RL's buddies stroke their micropenises over a couple of youth prospects recently so looked them up. 2 strikers scoring below 1 a game at the dogshit youth football levels of U18/U23.

Snip

McNeil has scored 600 academy goals I'll have you know.

Mejbri is the one from our academy who will make it big.

[Don]

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mengi-mejbri-instagram-man-utd-19528965

6-1 defeats? French banter? Tunisian blood? Do me a favour. Mengi looks capable tho :rasta:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm watching West Brom v Leeds from this choice of four, because Allardyce v Bielsa is a fixture that has needed to happen for a long time.

[Manc]

I've gone for Brighton v Arsenal. Potter ball should really come out on top here.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm watching West Brom v Leeds from this choice of four, because Allardyce v Bielsa is a fixture that has needed to happen for a long time.

I've just been rewarded by the greatest own goal for a decade.

[Shindig]

Greater than Ritchie's?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I would say so - Ritchie was at least trying to do something. Romaine Sawyers, in this instance, calmly turned around under no pressure and stroked the ball into the back of his own net from around 20 yards out.

[phonics]

Arsenal continue their awful corner routines by now putting two men on the corner taking duty like it’s a free kick.

[Manc]

Bellerin marking Dan Burn on corners. Wonder how that one will turn out.

[Danny]

https://streamable.com/kec6d5

Magical

[Shindig]

Jesus. I hope the keeper called for it. :D

[phonics]

Brighton are also putting 2 men on corner taking duty. What is going on?

[Don]

Arsenal are just diabolical, at least Brighton serve their toothless shit up with complete bums clogging up their team.

[Magic]

Big Sam. :harold:

[Manc]

Has festive football always been this turgid?

[phonics]

Arsenal are just diabolical, at least Brighton serve their toothless shit up with complete bums clogging up their team.

No team in the premier league era has a better win rate Against us than Brighton. Second is Swansea lol.

[niko_cee]

I've never seen this BT Soccer Saturday thing before. Fucking hell Tim Sherwood comes across as a know-nothing prick.

Also, is that the first successful use of the arm to stop a ball on the line by Burnley there (with the new interpretation)? Looked quite upper arm-ish to me.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Leeds 3-0 up and it could end as any number. Borderline criminal to approach this game as Allardyce has, trying to sit back and invite them on, completely incompetent.

[Shindig]

I really hope they aren't paying Big Sam what he asked for.

[phonics]

Think we just got our first shot on goal by either team 36 minutes in.

[niko_cee]

This is brutal watching the Leeds game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Mon double figures.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The usual Allardyce shut-up-shop stuff won't work against Leeds either, they will keep coming. Hopefully Bielsa decides to end Big Sam's career rather than step them off the gas.

I once watched us play Sam's Blackburn at Stamford Bridge, we went 4-0 or 5-0 up at half time and Rovers spent the second half timewasting and feigning injury as if they were 1-0 up.

[Magic]

The usual Allardyce shut-up-shop stuff won't work against Leeds either, they will keep coming. Hopefully Bielsa decides to end Big Sam's career rather than step them off the gas.

I once watched us play Sam's Blackburn at Stamford Bridge, we went 4-0 or 5-0 up at half time and Rovers spent the second half timewasting and feigning injury as if they were 1-0 up.

Amazon were talking about them as if they were equals. :harold:

"Contrasting styles".

[Magic]

Ah the old fitness and too many games. Yes that's what it is.

[niko_cee]

Back to the wall defence tends to fall down when one of your own centre-halves strokes in that sort of OG after 6 minutes.

[Giggles]

The time spent watching that Arsenal game is a complete write off.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It would be 3-0 minimum with or without that, from minute 1 they were just set up to invite Leeds on, which is the one thing you can't do against them. You can do it against the Arsenals and Brightons who stand in front of you and move the ball around slowly. Against Leeds you have to go at them in the manner United did and throw their own dynamism back at them, because they basically can't defend at all through the middle of the pitch.

I know West Brom don't have the players etc etc but the approach was complete bollocks.

[niko_cee]

The time spent watching that Arsenal game is a complete write off.

If you tweeted that it could become like that I'd like to see Donald Trump worm his way out of this one jobs.

[Manc]

Second half hat-trick for Danny Welbeck is on the cards.

[Don]

Got Sone Aluko in a wig telling me Jahanbakhsh should have tested the goalie with that. Shut the fuck up, you stupid whore.

[Kikó]

Some fucking bullshit was said after the United-Leeds game about how Leeds were perfect for United with their style. They're a nightmare team to play against but it pains people to give Solksjaer any credit.

[Don]

It would be 3-0 minimum with or without that, from minute 1 they were just set up to invite Leeds on, which is the one thing you can't do against them. You can do it against the Arsenals and Brightons who stand in front of you and move the ball around slowly. Against Leeds you have to go at them in the manner United did and throw their own dynamism back at them, because they basically can't defend at all through the middle of the pitch.

I know West Brom don't have the players etc etc but the approach was complete bollocks.

Surely by that logic it wouldn't work against Liverpool and City too.

[phonics]

The time spent watching that Arsenal game is a complete write off.

Welcome to every Arsenal game since Arteta took over. Why any neutral would watch us is beyond me.

[Don]

Got Sone Aluko in a wig telling me Jahanbakhsh should have tested the goalie with that. Shut the fuck up, you stupid whore.

Now slobbering all over Saka's dick for an anonymous 45 minute performance. Wonder if the fact he's blacker than a black hole and has lips the size of my penis have something to do with the bias.

[niko_cee]

It would be 3-0 minimum with or without that, from minute 1 they were just set up to invite Leeds on, which is the one thing you can't do against them. You can do it against the Arsenals and Brightons who stand in front of you and move the ball around slowly. Against Leeds you have to go at them in the manner United did and throw their own dynamism back at them, because they basically can't defend at all through the middle of the pitch.

I know West Brom don't have the players etc etc but the approach was complete bollocks.

Leeds are at their best when every shot they have goes in, certainly.

[Giggles]

Welcome to every Arsenal game since Arteta took over. Why any neutral would watch us is beyond me.

It’s that or the Leeds one. Or normal TV which is horrendous because it’s Christmas.