January 2021 football: The Window SLAMS OPEN

[Ian]

Yes, on the 4th of January all the usual horseshit can begin once again. Jim White can get his yellow tie out, United are signing another expensive young player to feed Taz's weird new fixation with our youth team and I suppose there'll be some actual football played too.

Do you want your club to sign anybody this window / do you think they will?

I suppose for United it depends if there's anybody Woodward likes the look of early enough for him to complete his tortuous "negotiation" technique before the window wheezes shut.

[Ian]

Oh, and as for fixtures the year is off to a flyer today:
Farsley Celtic P - P Guiseley
Bonnyrigg Rose P - P Kelty Hearts
Bala Town P - P Connah's Quay Nomads
Western Sydney Wanderers FC P - P Western United FC

Enjoy!

[Giggles]

Why are there no games today? Just how close it is to Saturday?

[Kikó]

There are TWO games today in the BPLSPB
Everton - West Ham
United - Villa.

United won't sign anyone other than the Atalanta boy (is he gay?) and maybe this Ecudorian. Worryingly, we are linked with Trippier and we are keen. Thankfully, he's banned until March.

[Shindig]

We won't sign anyone but we need a new fancy Frenchman whilst the other one is recovering. Name me one of those in Mike Ashley's price range.

[Giggles]

I await Taz’s report on the size of their respective penises.

[Ian]

maybe this Ecudorian.

The return of Tony V? :drool:

[Kikó]

Real life regen signing. :drool:

Here's a pic:
https://i2-prod.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article17285751.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_GettyImages-1156515267.jpg

[SincereTheRebel]

Wolves need a striker. Diego Costs on a free for the red cards might be worth it. Another big defender and some creativity in midfield areas will be needed. Semedo is total shit.

[niko_cee]

I saw that Wolves had 'entered the race' to sign Wijnaldum the other day, which raised a smile.

Liverpool probably ought to sign a centrehalf, but I doubt they will and I doubt there's a non-shit one available anyway.

I did see some random rumour about Eder Militao the other day (:drool:) what's happened to him at Real?

[John Arne]

Ho Chi Minh City FC have just completed the signing of Lee Nguyen (formerly New England Rev, LAFC, Inter Miami). Probably the biggest signing in V.League history. Meanwhile, our city Neighbours, Saigon FC, have signed Daisuke Matsui, who played for Japan in the 2010 World Cup.

[Mellberg]

Win tonight and I'm getting carried away. Lose and I'll go back in my box.

[Don]

If we don't sign a CB before Utd game on 17th it would be downright gross negligence. Ideally 1 long-term beast and 1 loan signing. Doesn't have to be a dominant one so I'd settle for an Alaba.

[-james-]

This, along with almost every other prem game this season, has been absolutely awful.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was about to say, you just have to admire the shape introduced by both managers. Consummate organisation from two great football men.

[phonics]

It’s almost like a lot of football isnt very good and this system where every game gets televised makes makes people notice it.

[Mellberg]

Just the six teams on 26 points now.

[Lofty]

Kolasinac shipped off to Schalke on loan, just need to get rid of another 5 or 6 wasters and Arsenal are getting somewhere.

[-james-]

Villa are getting top 4 lol.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We are so lucky Grealish played like a twat against us, should have lost 4-1 if he hadn't.

[randomlegend]

This has been a fun game so far.

[Waffdon]

Mings has a fuck up literally every game I’ve ever watched of him.

[Lewis]

Martial's gloves have got those touchscreen fingers on.

[Jimmy Floyd]

United are in one of those phases like they used to have under Fergie where they just somehow score three easy goals per game regardless of what else happens in the match.

[Kikó]

At the risk of ultimately causing a hobble off, bailly is very good.

[Kikó]

Oh and it's games like this you see how far the league has got to. Villa are a really accomplished team.

[Manc]

United are in one of those phases like they used to have under Fergie where they just somehow score three easy goals per game regardless of what else happens in the match.

It won't last. They'll comfortably finish outside the top four.

[randomlegend]

At the risk of ultimately causing a hobble off, bailly is very good.

He's our best centre back when he puts a run of a few games together.

[Shindig]

Nah, they looked third as fuck.

[Mellberg]

Get Grealish out wide, even if it means bringing young Ramsey on. The ball goes through him in the middle, but he wins games out wide.

[Don]

Bailly hype time again :happycry:

I beg he starts against his African brothers on the 17th.

[randomlegend]

That defending :D

[Don]

AWB performing breakdancing moves instead of picking up Grealish :D

[Spoonsky]

Does Pogba get a goal contribution for kicking his own heel?

[Don]

Fantastic scenes :D

[randomlegend]

Fantastic scenes :D

1345119049336893442

Unbelievable.

[Lewis]

If somebody else had taken it you would accept it as a stonewaller.

EDIT: lol

[Kikó]

Does Pogba get a goal contribution for kicking his own heel?

It was a penalty you weirdo. The exact same foul was given to villa in the first half.

[randomlegend]

This situation where players are forced into making last ditch tackles because the flag doesn't go up is a big problem with VAR. If the Villa keeper doesn't get the ball and clatters Rashford there, does he get sent off? How is that fair?

[randomlegend]

Pogba's been class tonight but that miss was atrocious.

[Lewis]

Rashford has been toilet for weeks. He should say he only eats white bread and have a few weeks off.

[Kikó]

Another great win by the Binmen. Banter team march on.

[Don]

Bailly should have done enough with that world class block at the end to secure a start against us hopefully.

Commentator called Davis' introduction 'a new threat up-top' :D

[Waffdon]

That Pogba penalty decision is a right laugh. He trips over his own leg :D

[Luca]

The salt. :drool:

[Waffdon]

I’m all aboard the Man Utd hype train. It’s the only hope left to stop Liverpool so there’s no ‘salt’ here

[Giggles]

I’m back up to 14 points if Man Utd are the main challengers.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We are now entering something truly horrible, something that I don't think has ever happened in my lifetime: a Liverpool - Man U title race. Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, prevent Taz from posting with a juicy bone. Silence RL and with muffled drum, bring out the trophy, let the mourners come.

[Gray Fox]

If Frank Lampards Chelsea FC could smash the depleted oil barrens it probably would turn into a 2 horse race from here.

A CB or two should surely be coming in. When Fabinho inevitably gets injured we'll be looking at a Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams partnership.

[Lewis]

2008/09 felt like a title race at the time but in hindsight they probably had it won in December.

[Kikó]

Bailly should have done enough with that world class block at the end to secure a start against us hopefully.

Commentator called Davis' introduction 'a new threat up-top' :D

Judging by the usual nonsense predictions, I expect an Eric brace next time out.

[Don]

Expect my balls resting on you face.

[Kikó]

Ha. :D

[Spoonsky]

2008/09 felt like a title race at the time but in hindsight they probably had it won in December.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_7cqrN80nc

What a day that was.

[thommo]

Tomorrow's game between Burnley and Fulham has been postponed.

Twitter awash with opinions demanding Fulham play, have points deducted and players banned. Glorious. :drool:

[niko_cee]

Regulion benched after some sort of party involvement. Another one on the fantasy bonfire.

[phonics]

So unlike the Burnley crowd to boo and moan. Back in my day, when we had crowds, they’d kick your player up in the air and they’d boo. Their player would fall over with no one near them and they’d boo. Disputed throw? Boo. Goal kick? Oh you know they’re booing.

[Don]

Why start Winks against Leeds?

[niko_cee]

All about the old firm game today.

[Giggles]

All about the old firm game today.

There’s a thread for that kind of dross.

[Kikó]

All about the old firm game today.


If Celtic don't win, that's it. 19 points gap in that case even with the two other games in hand.

[Ian]

Shit Scottish football has as much of a place in my threads as shit English football or shit European competitions. All shitness is welcome.

[Magic]

Dominating.

[Magic]

You don't realise how horrific Prime coverage is until you find yourself really enjoying listening to Glenn Hoddle.

[mugbull]

If Bielsa actually cared about winning they could pick us apart so easily

[Magic]

Lethal.

However we are playing with:

RB = utility man
LB = winger
CB = right back
CB = centre mid

[SincereTheRebel]

This Leeds manager is always crouching down like he is one of those campers in Call of Duty

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Tomorrow's game between Burnley and Fulham has been postponed.

Twitter awash with opinions demanding Fulham play, have points deducted and players banned. Glorious. :drool:

Weren't you saying similar things when the Ravens/Steelers game was postponed due to an outbreak in the Ravens camp?

[niko_cee]

Turns out you can sit deep and rinse Leeds without taking the game to them.

[Kikó]

That red card for Celtic was desperately stupid. Rangers haven't really been in the game so far before then.

[Giggles]

Is this the Leeds title charge over then? :happycry:

[niko_cee]

Rangers winning this without having a shot on target is going to be pretty funny.

Stick a fork in the jock league.

[Waffdon]

You say that as if Rangers aren’t winning the Europa League

[Alex]

Is this the Leeds title charge over then? :happycry:

We're only ten points adrift, let's not get hasty.

[phonics]

Another goal within 5 minutes.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55466395

Small pockets official.

[Manc]

Poisoned chalice comes to mind.

[niko_cee]

Who cares what the chalice has in it if it's carved out of the world's biggest diamond?

Some goal that by Eze.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was glorious by Eze.

[niko_cee]

I hadn't realised Ryan had been totally frozen out by Potter. What's he been doing? Shagging someone's wife? Slagging off Paul Weller?

[Don]

I'm a big backer of Pothead but why tf does he insist on forcing me to watch Dan Burn's overlapping runs and general play in possession? Play White back there and play Groß/Propper/Lallana/Alzate/The Ghost of Bobby Zamora.

[thommo]

Weren't you saying similar things when the Ravens/Steelers game was postponed due to an outbreak in the Ravens camp?

Mainly because it was the complete fault of a Ravens coach that caused the outbreak. Not to mention it's very hard to postpone games in the NFL and still get them played in time for the season to be completed.

Compare that to the numerous midweek slots where we can play Burnley before the end of May.

[Don]

Jesus, Dan Burn shouldn't see a single minute of prem football in his life again.

[niko_cee]

Tuchel to Brighton?

[Waffdon]

Just the five centre halves starting for Brighton tonight. They’re absolutely dreadful. Hopefully Fulham put them down

[Don]

They're just a completely 1-man team reliant on that freak of nature Lamptey to get them up the pitch.

[niko_cee]

Just the five centre halves starting for Brighton tonight. They’re absolutely dreadful. Hopefully Fulham put them down

The Veltman/Burn wingback axis really is a thing of beauty.

And yet they are still inexplicably shit at set pieces. Should really have kept Duffy so they could stick White in midfield to have 6 centre halves starting.

Potter's a moron, but this has been apparent from early on. If he gets done over by Scott 'Scotty Parker' Parker then, well, what can you say? I have them as favourites for 19th at the moment.

[Don]

Not only has he thrown on some Swiss donkey, he's kept Dan Burn on the pitch. And Burn has proceeded to reward him with a vital goal-saving clearance for Wolves and a hideous first touch to waste a top chance. This is legitimately the worst individual performance you're ever likely to see :D

[niko_cee]

It should be said that Wolves fully deserve to lose this game based on their kit choice alone, so one can only hope that the football gods are sadists, I mean, watching.

[Don]

I fancy WBA here. If Saka can't get some open space to run in to, Arsenal can't create.

[Offshore Toon]

I've got a draw on this left in a four team acca and I'm tempted to back the Brom to cover myself a bit.

[-james-]

Brighton are going to be absolutely fine. Just need someone that can score goals. Either way Tony Bloom has a bigger brain than any of us so commentary is pointless.

[Manc]

XG models have Brighton top six. Make of that what you will.

[Reg]

Brighton are going to be absolutely fine. Just need someone that can score goals. Either way Tony Bloom has a bigger brain than any of us so commentary is pointless.
He doesn't actually get to score goals for us though.

The comeback was a lovely surprise. Taz is right that Lamptey is our best way of going forward with any pace. But being behind showed that when we play with some urgency it's a lot easier to create chances. Hopefully that spurs us on.

Also Burn was bad but Traore was seriously good, I thought.

[phonics]

Of course it’s Tierney scoring a curler in the snow.

[Waffdon]

Of course it’s Tierney scoring a curler in the snow.

Better than Robertson. The latter is probably the second best in the world

[-james-]

XG models have Brighton top six. Make of that what you will.


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

This is the xG from approximately the same point last season. League ranking on the left, sorted by expected points on the right. Those guys in 17th place who were averaging a point a point per game never really improved did they.

[Jimmy Floyd]

While we're at it, can we please abolish 'assists' (have been calling for this for over a decade) and replace it with xG created?

[Foe]

Smith Rowe has been excellent.

Arteta needs to ship Nelson and willock out if there’s potential they take a single minute away from martinelli, saka or smith Rowe opportunities.

[niko_cee]

While we're at it, can we please abolish 'assists' (have been calling for this for over a decade) and replace it with xG created?

Didn't this used to be Key Contributions or some such back in the day? Although I agree that it is a lot more meaningful than being the guy that shinned it to Eze before he went on that run today.

[Don]

It took about 5 years for MOTD to show xG and we still have idiots crying about it. We're a bit way off starting to adopt xA yet.

[Kikó]

Mainly because it's used by people who have got nothing interesting to say about football.

[Don]

I wonder if the introduction of shots and possession stats saw the same backlash or if it's just a sign of the age of misinformation we now find ourselves in.

[Don]

Jesus, this Arsenal game is not watchable, they should paint every pitch like this to kill off streaming.

[Lewis]

That those use xG have got nothing interesting to say about football, and those that say interesting things about football don't use xG.

[Kikó]

Isn't that a manc Sean quote?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Like all stats in the freeform game of soccer it is Buzz T. Killington, but if we're going to have stats we might as well use good ones.

[Lewis]

Isn't that a manc Sean quote?

He told some Simons off with it in the Lawrence Arms.

[Kikó]

What's going on with Sam's boys? Not like him having defensively inept teams.

[Don]

Bottom 6 all with English managers. Can we get a passport check on Dean Smith, please.

[Don]

These NY party stories of footballers breaking restrictions are disgusting[ly funny]. We're all out here saving lives and we've got Benjamin Mendy phoning round a modelling agency asking for tick tings.

[Adamski]

You say that as if Rangers aren’t winning the Europa League

:drool:

[-james-]

That those use xG have got nothing interesting to say about football, and those that say interesting things about football don't use xG.

Kind of true tbf. It is incredibly dull. Working with football data every day has made it quite hard to view football through any other lens. Not sure the red pill was worth it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

As I said somewhere else, baseball is miles ahead (both in advancement and years) of all the other sports in statistical optimisation, and what it leads to is an existential CRISIS about how to make the game more exciting again - the dynamism of base stealing/base running has more or less gone out of the game as they've realised that the optimal strategy in most cases is basically to swing as hard as possible for power, which makes it an optimised game but a very one-dimensional game.

The football equivalents we are already starting to see I think - at a guess, I would say people are being told not to take defenders on on the outside as there is probably a much lesser goal percentage from those areas of the pitch than there is from inside. Dribbling is basically dead, and I wouldn't be surprised to see long range shooting get outlawed from upstairs reasonably soon, as you're just giving them the ball back. Nothing is a better example than the optimised goal kicks that go sideways to miss the press.

[Don]

I think corner kicks are a real pre-historic area. I don't think teams have clocked on to the fact they can reap the rewards of the practice of teams overcomitting to attacking corners yet. Those late corners in games are such a goldmine for goals on the counter and given teams still like to send both CBs up for standard corners, there's great scope for defending teams to send a few attackers upas the corner is being taken to capitalise on the break.

[niko_cee]

The thing I don't get from these optimisation trends is the vast number of goals that seem to stem directly from faffing around with the ball at the back (and not beating the press) [in open defiance of the much maligned conventional wisdom] - which is surely one of the major factors behind the no possession movement which is gaining serious traction at the moment. Letting an average team have the ball in their own half is actually quite a good attacking strategy.

Football is a much less one dimensional game that baseball, so I don't really see how a one size (Fitz Hall) master strategy can exist. Like when Jupp Heynkes Blitzkreig wrecked the edifice of tiki taka. Constant adaptation is needed. Or just having better players.

[Lewis]

The end-point of all this will be going back to long ball stuff. Not Big Samball, but proper olden days, aimless kick and rush rubbish. You will need a fancier term for 'in the mixer' but the logic is there.

[Manc]

Hoofball.

[Luca]

Call it "Route Eins" and have it be championed by some neurotic sex pest German. Guaranteed winner.

[Lewis]

Every morning at 3:30 am an alarm goes off in the immaculate, tastefully-decorated house owned by Adolf Nonce. Its sole purpose is to remind him to re-watch the 1984 FA Cup final. 'In Germany Graham Taylor is respected as the pre-eminent tactician of the sport', he tells me. 'He did that Aldi advert!'

Since being appointed by FC Grafeneck four years ago 'The Gasmen' have won three successive domestic titles utilising a revolutionary approach prioritising territorial advantage over possession. This 'Spielraum' (loosely translated as 'play[ing]-space') is, according to their charismatic manager...

THE ATHLETIC
FREE TRIAL OFFER

[Kikó]

That is superb 👏

[niko_cee]

:D

That is good.

Another scintillating spectacle of shape here.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The discipline of the Longstaff brothers in midfield, this is why they tune in around the world.

[niko_cee]

I wonder whether the lack of a crowd has allowed managers to better organise their players (into shape!) in both terms of being able to be heard, and not having players getting overexcited by the rush of the crowd?

Time wasting in the first half of a home game that you aren't even winning is all-time low stuff.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What happened when Newcastle played Burnley? Did they both just stay in their own halves and look at the ball sitting on the centre spot for 90 minutes?

[niko_cee]

On the assumption that Turbo Timo isn't a complete write-off that looks to be the best front three/team Chelsea can put out (is James suspended?).

[Waffdon]

He was meant to get surgery and then started the Arsenal game without training so I presume he’s still injured.

Be interesting to see Werner finally through the middle with the two best players either side of him. Could have a field day if City play with a high line

[randomlegend]

Are City playing with no striker?

[Giggles]

Was that backup goalkeeper for Man City 52 million quid?

Edit - ah, £5.2m. Sign of the times that I wasn’t overly surprised if it was 52.

[Lewis]

I always thought Raheem Sterling as a 'false nine' was the obvious Sergio Aguero succession plan, but I don't know now they're shit. It might be overdoing it 'Pep' 2011/12 style (the birth of 'Pep' Watch).

[Offshore Toon]

What happened when Newcastle played Burnley? Did they both just stay in their own halves and look at the ball sitting on the centre spot for 90 minutes?
Saint-Maximin was electric and destroyed them. Finished 3-1.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That was coming - after about 15 minutes of every game we stop playing and start chasing shadows for ten minutes. Literally don't think we touched the ball for at least five minutes before that other than goal kicks. Happened against Arsenal, happened against West Ham but fortunately they were too shit to take advantage.

Edit: still haven't touched it up to the second goal. They should easily get a third now too.

[Waffdon]

Surely he doesn’t survive much longer. City look like they can score when they want here

[Giggles]

That’s extremely poor.

[randomlegend]

Lampard :harold:

If United were 8th after buying a whole team in the summer Ole would be getting absolutely savaged.

[Yevrah]

Chelsea have looked absolutely rancid everytime I've seen them since starting to watch football again.

Looks like the sort of clueless shit Frank himself was subjected to by many of his managers during his time with England.

[Waffdon]

Foden on Zouma there :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

Still waiting for the first specific criticism of Lampard, rather than 'he is useless'. Not seen one in any outlet all season. I can't even see one myself, we are just a generally careless team.

[Jimmy Floyd]

And that goal was just four consecutively hugely lucky breaks in about 20 seconds in between Sterling making a mess of it.

[Waffdon]

Still waiting for the first specific criticism of Lampard, rather than 'he is useless'. Not seen one in any outlet all season. I can't even see one myself, we are just a generally careless team.

You’ve beaten one team in the top ten all season and that was West Ham.

His teams are absolutely dreadful defensively apart from a small period where Mendy looked like the second coming of Jesus. Losing 3 goals to these City and Arsenal sides is horrific

[Waffdon]

And that goal was just four consecutively hugely lucky breaks in about 20 seconds in between Sterling making a mess of it.

:D

Kante was on his own which fucked you last season also when Martinelli scored from his own half. Should never leave it to a one on one foot race

[Don]

Still waiting for the first specific criticism of Lampard, rather than 'he is useless'. Not seen one in any outlet all season. I can't even see one myself, we are just a generally careless team.

What you should be asking yourself is just what the sweet fuck he's adding. My mum selecting XI players out of a hat would arguably do better than what Lampard is achieving. It was clear since day he had no coaching nor tactical ability but he's the epitome of how substance is irrelevant.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You’ve beaten one team in the top ten all season and that was West Ham.

His teams are absolutely dreadful defensively apart from a small period where Mendy looked like the second coming of Jesus. Losing 3 goals to these City and Arsenal sides is horrific

These are wrong outcomes, not wrong processes.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, how do you specifically criticize a a manager? Chelsea look poorly set-up, can't defend, and play with precious little ambition against anyone half-decent. He has no idea what his best team is (perhaps excusable) or how he wants them to play. In many ways, cultivating a young team was a much better way forward for him, even if those specific players weren't going to make it at the toppest most top level. All that said, bringing in half a team and expecting it to work absolutely never works unless the league is ridiculously unbalanced/uncompetitive.

[Don]

And that goal was just four consecutively hugely lucky breaks in about 20 seconds in between Sterling making a mess of it.

He's left Kante as the sole defender. It's the most basic of coaching fails akin to Man Utd at Istanbul.

[Waffdon]

Same thing happened against West Ham the other week too but it was Haller through on goal and not Sterling so he was caught up within seconds

[Jimmy Floyd]

The issue defensively is generally that we're not very good on the transition when we lose the ball and are hugely vulnerable through the middle, which is generally because whichever one of Jorginho/Kovacic is playing might as well not exist, meaning that Kante has to cover the entire pitch. We also tend to over-commit our full backs given that fact, although they have created a large number of our attacking threats so you win some you lose some.

I would think we probably need some extra steel in midfield and it's down to Lampard to organise that, but at the same time had this been Conte or Mourinho or our other recent managers (who all had far worse seasons than this) there would not be this long queue to USELESS him.

[Don]

Your Essex bumboy wouldn't have been able emulate half the success of Sarri, don't bring their name into comparisons with this joke.

[Lewis]

Before United signed him I said Chelsea should go for David Moyes, and now why not?

[Browning]

I'm not watching the game, but from I've read it sounds pretty incredible that not only was a back-pass given for the first time in years, but the referee seemingly randomly picked a spot to give the free kick from.

[Waffdon]

Yeah, it was taken outside the box which didn’t make much sense

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not watching the game, but from I've read it sounds pretty incredible that not only was a back-pass given for the first time in years, but the referee seemingly randomly picked a spot to give the free kick from.

It was absolute nonsense, like everything Anthony Taylor does - if the offence was where the free kick was taken from then it would have had to be a handball and yellow/red card (it wasn't, it was miles away inside the box).

[Don]

An interesting fact not many people know. The last time Hudson-Odoi didn't turn backwards and release a safe pass was in September 2010 when he operated under the name Aaron Lennon.

[randomlegend]

Werner is fucking awful

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55524795

Armbands out in full force tomorrow.

[randomlegend]

Is Giroud injured?

He should be starting every game with 3 of Havertz, Mount, Werner, Pulisic and Ziyech behind him. Kante and someone else sitting.

Werner clearly does not want to be a striker so it's just a load of creative players trying to set each other up.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Don't think Giroud can start 2 games a week indefinitely.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1345798301338259456

:D

dots.

[Waffdon]

Is Giroud injured?

He should be starting every game with 3 of Havertz, Mount, Werner, Pulisic and Ziyech behind him. Kante and someone else sitting.

Werner clearly does not want to be a striker so it's just a load of creative players trying to set each other up.

Werner has played up front about three times for Chelsea with today the first since September. He’s clearly lost his confidence now after being punted out wide.

[Shindig]

Can I start calling him Jalinten?

[Lofty]

When does Frank get the bullet?

[Giggles]

Werner has played up front about three times for Chelsea with today the first since September. He’s clearly lost his confidence now after being punted out wide.

He’s obviously badly let Frank down by not being excellent out wide and scoring lots of goals.

[randomlegend]

Werner has played up front about three times for Chelsea with today the first since September. He’s clearly lost his confidence now after being punted out wide.

He played out wide and number 10 plenty for Liepzig.

[Waffdon]

Still played majority through the middle whilst drifting in from the left.

Hopefully Billy Goatmour starts to play now to enhance his chances of leading Scotland to the Euros Final

[Manc]

XG models have Chelsea in 1st. Make of that what you will.

[niko_cee]

XG models have Chelsea in 1st. Make of that what you will.

I have literally no idea how they come up with that xPoints thing. I would have thought it would be if games were settled via xG, but then how do you end up with decimal point points?

[niko_cee]

at the same time had this been Conte or Mourinho or our other recent managers (who all had far worse seasons than this) there would not be this long queue to USELESS him.

They both went to shit after achieving things though, whereas the modern generation of binmen have no particular CV of [managerial] success to fall back on when things aren't going swimmingly.

Lampard's also clearly widely hated for being an absolute twat so there is that as well, probably something you don't get with Olé at the wheel.

[Kikó]

1345798942454382592?s=19

Superb.

[Manc]

Expected more.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They just call the British Managers Lunch Club and ask which unemployed manager needs a big payday.

[Kikó]

Expected more.

So did I in the Betting thread. :mad:

[Manc]

Touché.

[Don]

I fucking love how much Lampard is focussing on his image over his actual job. He's absolutely donned the Jose trademark 'take a massive swig of water to appear cool and in no way surprised by a goal' celebration but he's added an even better thinking scowl as his default expression.

[Lewis]

1345793855615070215

:lol:

[Don]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eq03p4NXUAEZIFb?format=jpg&name=large

:happycry:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bring back Avram imo.

[Lewis]

Isn't half of the Phantom Manager scattered about the club in various roles? Surely they could consolidate them and bring John Terry back in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The Phantom Manager is too busy owning teams in Arizona and building schools in the Ivory Coast.

[Lewis]

In hindsight 'Big Phil' thinking that team needed Deco and Robinho to overhaul United should have seen him fail at the interview stage.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Him thinking that, and Sarri thinking we needed Jorginho at the back of midfield to slow things down, are the two worst appointments we have ever made. 'AVB' down there as well. The reason Ferguson always stayed ahead was his teams always kept the tempo high, as you have to do in cold climate football. You can't clever your way around the four quality players and seven intense workers that United of that era always had.

People like to get stuck into Super Franky Lamps but his Zouma/old man Silva centre half pairing and the selection of clowns we have in goal are nothing close to the teams that the above three ruined.

[Lewis]

This Uruguayan Players Association statement on Cavani is pretty perfect.

[Baz]

Of course Suarez has tweeted it. :)

[Don]

Needs more bashing of their BLM bollocks but it's fantastic alright :drool:

[Danny]

https://www.indy100.com/sport/sam-allardyce-brexit-west-brom-transfers-b1781990

:lol:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Surely both Ricardo Vaz Te and Bruno N'Gotty would get work permits.

[Shindig]

Colin Kazim-Richards already has the passport. EDIT: He's at Derby these days? Even better.

[Gray Fox]

Alisson, Trent, Henderson, Fabinho, Robertson, Thiago Wijnaldum, Ox, Salah, Firmino, Mane

Not a centre half in sight. That's also very attacking.

[Don]

Having to watch Thiago go into every challenge is fucking brutal for the heart but thankfully Southampton are kind.

Hendo ahead of the two kids is also bang on the right shout given he's [marginally] better in possession and they'll press intensely. The BS comments about no CB in Jan better be classic Edwards mindgames.

[Waffdon]

Both teams are fairly attacking. Rarely any defensive minded players involved at all.

[Don]

I was worried about possibility of Adams' physicality against our secondary CB but then I realised they aren't going to touch the ball even before seeing his absence. If my man makes one of those trademark turns I'm repainting my walls.

[Manc]

McCarthy, Vestergaard, Romeu, & Adams all absent. Good luck Ralph.

[Waffdon]

Phonics will be here soon enough crying again

[Luca]

:happycry:

[Waffdon]

Southampton to go 2-0 up and end up dropping points?

[phonics]

Phonics will be here soon enough crying again

I’m just happy people are finally realising I’m Lways right.

[Kikó]

I was worried about possibility of Adams' physicality against our secondary CB but then I realised they aren't going to touch the ball even before seeing his absence. If my man makes one of those trademark turns I'm repainting my walls.

Been in sensational form recently.

[Waffdon]

Walcott :D

His touch is horrendous

[Waffdon]

Been in sensational form recently.

Qualifies for Scotland. Hopefully they call him up for Euros

[niko_cee]

Qualifies for Scotland. Hopefully they call him up for Euros

Taz?

[Waffdon]

:D

Touché.

[Luca]

That's about four times now that Stuart Armstrong has failed to play an obvious ball in.

[Luke Emia]

Fuck me we are awful. We need a centre half at least so we can get Fabinho back in centre midfield. The whole balance of the team is massively off at the minute.

[Gray Fox]

2 of the teams best midfielders are playing CB. I'm amazed we're top.

Ox seems to be stopping Firmino doing his thing and always being in the wrong place means there's no midfield play going on, just lumping it. Trent wanting to take a touch and slow everything down is beginning to grate.

[Don]

Playing with 10 still seems problematic, even with Thiago's ability in there but Ox doing his best to make it 9 is lovely. Get Stevie G's regen on immediately.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Trent wanting to take a touch and slow everything down is beginning to grate.

Every player you love goes on this journey in the end, but I didn't think it would come so soon for him.

[Gray Fox]

It's a high pressing team and they're doing very well with it. Why allow the man to close you before trying to pass?

[Don]

Because your midfielder ahead of you is hiding and is a fucking massive Gooner waste of space cunt.

[Raoul Duke]

Liverpool's kit is hideous. Southampton's on the other hand is dreamy

[Lofty]

Because your midfielder ahead of you is hiding and is a fucking massive Gooner waste of space cunt.

Glad you are getting the full experience from him these days :D

[Raoul Duke]

Bold of Southampton to bring on a kid with a Hitler 'tache

[Waffdon]

Why is he crying :lol:

Liverpool in the mud.

[Boydy]

What's big Ralph gurning for?

[Kikó]

Another win for the xG mob.

[Gray Fox]

Absolutely pathetic. Only Mane and Robertson appeared to be capable of anything. I also reckon we should have had a penalty on Mane but I'd have to see that one again.

[Waffdon]

The one with Walkers-Peter? Not a chance.

Leicester will bring it home

[phonics]

One shot all game or not, that Southampton kit with the sash across the middle is the best kit in the game and they therefore deserve to win.

I want arsenal to rip it off.

[Andy]

McCarthy, Vestegaard, Romeu, Redmond and Adams all out, still knocked out a performance like that. Amazing.

Diallo looks quality, seems far more suited to the system than Hojberg. Lots of positives with all the youngsters impressing.

[Don]

That better have us getting Alaba or some cunt for whatever it costs. Milner for TAA to teach him a lesson at cost of the game was not wise either from the Nazi cunt.

*Waits for Kiko's fantastic football insight*

The away trip to Seville in '86 was great ngngngnngnng xG iS rEtArDeD ngnngngnf 13 hidden gems to visit in south Portugal ngngngnngng

fuck off

[Lewis]

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

'But I have seen some facts. On first January they played Aston Villa and Mr Solskjaer...'

[Jimmy Floyd]

I really want at least one of Southampton, Villa or Everton to make the Champions League. It'll make the League Cup second round a bit easier to stomach.

[Lofty]

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

'But I have seen some facts. On first January they played Aston Villa and Mr Solskjaer...'

:D

I am not keen on United winning the league but if Olé the simpleton pips Jurgen 'the greatest coach that ever lived' Klopp's Liverpool to the title I could get on board with the resulting chimp out.

[Lewis]

That might be what brings about the tactical devolution we were on about. All the clubs will start scrabbling to quantify vibes and he will win five on the bounce.

[Luca]

1346222555372388358

:happycry::happycry::happycry:

[Lewis]

It's happening.

[randomlegend]

Leicester have had 10 penalties this season btw.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is it now too late for my 'Flop Klopp cops Kop chop' headline to happen?

[Lewis]

Liverpool Man Seethes Himself to Death

[Dark Soldier]

1346222555372388358

:happycry::happycry::happycry:

https://i.imgur.com/H8VnsiV.gif

[Kikó]

That better have us getting Alaba or some cunt for whatever it costs. Milner for TAA to teach him a lesson at cost of the game was not wise either from the Nazi cunt.

*Waits for Kiko's fantastic football insight*

The away trip to Seville in '86 was great ngngngnngnng xG iS rEtArDeD ngnngngnf 13 hidden gems to visit in south Portugal ngngngnngng

fuck off

Hey, it's your nonsensical predictions not mine. Own the bullshit.

[Don]

Yeah, I'm in the process of setting up my own whatsapp group with a few members, just give a man some time ffs.

[Kikó]

You're welcome back anytime Taz.

[Giggles]

So long as you've learned you lesson and praise the lord minimum three times daily, ideally five.

[Kikó]

You're confusing it with Dela's religious whatsapp group.

[Kikó]

1346387201966354432?s=19

Lewis

[Lewis]

:lol:

[Shindig]

I hate that Keegan's rant gets brought up but I'd take it over his England resignation.

[Don]

Brentford dominating :drool:

[Giggles]

Are there any natives in that Brentford team?

[niko_cee]

Define native.

[Giggles]

Define native.

Smiths, Barnes’, etc.

[Giggles]

They’re way higher than I thought though. I’d have said mid league one at a push if I had to guess.

[Waffdon]

Is this only one legged? How come Spurs get it at home if so?

[Don]

Dasilva is a quality poundland English Yaya in the middle and Henry at LB is Ashley Cole's regen but they're both about as English as Andy Cole so nah.

[Giggles]

Is this only one legged? How come Spurs get it at home if so?

Probably in the same way that there will be a home team in all the FA Cup games this weekend.

[igor_balis]

Smiths, Barnes’, etc.

:uhoh:

[Giggles]

:uhoh:

They’re probably all English aren’t they :uhoh:

I couldn’t decipher that Taz mess but I think that’s what he was probably getting at. Or the size of the two lads cocks at the very least.

[Lofty]

Of the starting XI, Toney, DaSilva, Henry and Pinnock are English, the rest continental types.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lolris.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck VAR.

[Giggles]

It was clearly offside but VAR is still bollocks.