August football: Club football is BACK!

[Yevrah]

Looking forward to some penalty box penetrations at 12:30 too.

[Ian]

de Gea
Wan-Bissaka
Lindelöf
Maguire
Shaw
McTominay
Fred
Pogba
Bruno Fernandes
James
Greenwood

Wow, it's like a new team!!!

[Magic]

Looking tasty in Manchester so far. Our young uns getting a pasting.

[Gray Fox]

But will Jasons Ancho get a standing ovation from the Leeds fans? That’s today’s most important story.

[Magic]

Must admit I thought the racial abuse would turn Sako in to a machine. So I put him in my FF. Forgot he played for arsenal.

[Magic]

But will Jasons Ancho get a standing ovation from the Leeds fans? That’s today’s most important story.

https://twitter.com/igrattan/status/1426494741626204161?s=19

There's your answer. :harold:

[Lewis]

That's more like it. Come on Leeds.

[niko_cee]

:D

Nice

[Giggles]

It’s great seeing the fans back.


1426489219002810369

[Magic]

Ferdinand is such a fucking cunt isn't he.

[Ian]

But will Jasons Ancho get a standing ovation from the Leeds fans? That’s today’s most important story.

*Jason Dancho

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a penalty that is.

[Lewis]

The Sikhs are back, Paulp Ogba new five year deal, Marcus Rashford January loan to Everton. Get Mason Greenwood in the gym and it's on.

[randomlegend]

1426516435858300932

1426515797933953031

Bruno stats are back

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Funky.

[Lewis]

Daniel James really whetting the appetite for the Jadons Ancho introduction as well. Ole Gunnar Binman working the crowd like prime Stone Cold.

[Yevrah]

And there it is. Lovely goal.

[randomlegend]

What a hit that is.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

#OleOut.

[Yevrah]

As is that. Jesus.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:drool:

That's glorious.

[Magic]

Arseholed through the middle again.

[randomlegend]

Greenwood :cool:

[Yevrah]

If you've got that coming through I'd bin Marcus Rashford (and all the bollocks that comes with him) off now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Look at all these fucking penalties.

[Magic]

Lol and again.

[Luca]

That’s some reaction.

[Waffdon]

Look at all these fucking penalties.

Best player in the world against mid table teams

[Lewis]

Paulp Ogba playing for a move the cunt. Turning it on like late-season Mark Viduka.

[randomlegend]

Best player in the world against mid table teams

Rent free.

[Magic]

:harold:

6-2 again.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Best player in the world against mid table teams

https://media4.giphy.com/media/7UvxJJwizUIyNWsnuX/giphy.gif

[Waffdon]

Rent free.

Why do you speak like a 14 year old

[Ian]

If you've got that coming through I'd bin Marcus Rashford (and all the bollocks that comes with him) off now.

Binning off a guy who scored 20 last season while not actually playing well would be madness.

Martial out the door first unless he's remembered how to run during his time off.

EDIT: Also has Martial shaved his head down to the bone??

[randomlegend]

Why do you speak like a 14 year old

https://d3vlf99qeg6bpx.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2018/11/08075214/Jose.Mourinho1.jpg

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Binning off a guy who scored 20 last season while not actually playing well would be madness.

Martial out the door first unless he's remembered how to run during his time off.

EDIT: Also has Martial shaved his head down to the bone??
Yes.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E73AjcWWQAI3Oht?format=jpg

It doesn't suit him.

[randomlegend]

Yes.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E73AjcWWQAI3Oht?format=jpg

It doesn't suit him.

It's not great but that is a particularly bad picture.

https://showsport.me:2096/previews/2/4/1585511942.jpg

[Trancemeister]

WTF Pogba 4 assists.

[Ian]

Letting Fred score should be an instant relegation.

[Luca]

WTF Pogba 4 assists.

More than all of last season, apparently.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's going to be fun when we lose 1-0 to Burnley.

[Magic]

Sancho coming on and we've got...Helder Costa.

[Waffdon]

Pogba must have broken a record here.

Man Utd losing him on a free twice after buying him for £80m :lol:

[Lewis]

Other than being part of his wacky gimmick, what possible benefit can Marcelo Bielsa gain from sitting on that bucket?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It's amazing how little Dan James offers outside of "pace".

[Trancemeister]

Leicester XI: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas, Ndidi, Tielemans, Perez, Maddison, Barnes, Vardy.

Wolves XI: Sa, Hoever, Kilman, Coady, Saiss, Marcal, Neves, Moutinho, Trincao, Jimenez, Traore.


Chelsea XI: Mendy, Chalobah, Christensen, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Pulisic, Werner, Mount.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Kouyate, Guehi, Mitchell, Riedewald, McArthur, Schlupp, Ayew, Mateta, Zaha.


Everton XI: Pickford, Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Digne, Allan, Doucoure, Gray, Townsend, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.

Southampton XI: McCarthy, Livramento, Stephens, Salisu, Perraud, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Walcott, Djenepo, Adams, Armstrong.


Burnley XI: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Wood, Rodriguez.

Brighton XI: Sanchez, Webster, Dunk, Bissouma, Duffy, March, Mwepu, Gross, Alzate, Maupay, Trossard.


Watford XI: Bachmann, Masina, Cathcart, Troost-Ekong, Kabasele, Sema, Kucka, Etebo, Cleverley(C), Sarr, Dennis.

Aston Villa XI: Martínez, Targett, Mings(C), Konsa, Cash, McGinn, Nakamba, Young, Buendía, Ghazi, Ings.

[Ian]

Young. :drool:

[-james-]

Shane Duffy lol. Seems pretty baffling that Brighton sent Ostigard back out on loan last week.

[Lewis]

Young. :drool:

Very negative starting with a defender that far forward.

[niko_cee]

Duffy's probably a horses for courses pick against Burnley/Wood.

[-james-]

Duffy's probably a horses for courses pick against Burnley/Wood.

That does sort of scan, but Potter was clearly quite keen to get rid and he was probably Celtic's worst player of the decade last season. It's more likely because there's literally nobody else with Veltman and Burn out injured.

[Ian]

Very negative starting with a defender that far forward.

Players like Young transcend mere "positions."

[Gray Fox]

How I've missed the sight of depressed looking Leeds fans.

[Alex]

Sancho coming on and we've got...Helder Costa.

Be fair mate, we also brought to Tyler Roberts into the mix.

:facepalm:

Shite, that. We missed Kalvin massively. We would obviously still have lost but he might have stopped Fernandes marauding around behind the back line quite so freely. Hopefully it was just a blip.

I'm a bit concerned though that with how fast and loose we play anyway, combine that with the newly reintroduced phenomenon of a full house shouting you down, that the pressure might get to a few of them this season and more mistakes may be made (Raphina was the main culprit today) which, combined with the style of play, could lead to us being bent over like that on a semi-regular basis. To coin a Jimmy term, I hope heads haven't gone.

[Kikó]

United were great today but Leeds are perfect opposition as they open up space for us and we're good enough to get in behind with our forward play. Teams who don't try and man mark will be a much tougher challenge but cannot complain with five on the opening day. Greenwood is going to be superb.

[Luca]

Palace aren't staying up.

[Gray Fox]

Surprised to see Virgil thrown straight in, but the rest of the team selected itself due to pre-season.

Hoping to see Mane refreshed and ready to go.

[-james-]

Neal Maupay. :cool:

[randomlegend]

United were great today but Leeds are perfect opposition as they open up space for us and we're good enough to get in behind with our forward play. Teams who don't try and man mark will be a much tougher challenge but cannot complain with five on the opening day. Greenwood is going to be superb.

Those teams who play a low block are what Sancho was bought for. Fingers crossed he comes good.

[Don]

Yeah, his pace will unlock the low blocks.

[Gray Fox]

This is also apparently the first time Tsimikas will play in the premier league. COVID knocked the stuffing out of him last season, so we'll only now see how he goes.

I expect him to be tidy going forwards but a liability at the back.

[randomlegend]

Yeah, his pace will unlock the low blocks.

Pace is not remotely one of his stand-out traits.

[niko_cee]

Milner and Jota over the boys from Brazil makes sense on a fitness level, but not so sure on a footballing one.

[Lewis]

Pace is not remotely one of his stand-out traits.

He just makes the decoy runs for Penandes.

[Manc]

Lille looking good for back to back titles.

[-james-]

The games so far this weekend have really hammered home how wank last season was. We're back. :drool:

[randomlegend]

He just makes the decoy runs for Penandes.

He's just not a Pacy Winger (tm) like everyone on here seems to think. He's much more of a playmaker, good in tight spaces, good with quick passes/interchanges, etc.

[Waffdon]

As if he ever played against a tight defence in Germany :lol:

[Reg]

That does sort of scan, but Potter was clearly quite keen to get rid and he was probably Celtic's worst player of the decade last season. It's more likely because there's literally nobody else with Veltman and Burn out injured.
Could well be that, but perhaps niko's right in Duffy being picked cos of Burnley's big heavy fellas - maybe Potter got spooked seeing White being 'bullied' last night. Would be, er, interesting to witness Duffy playing regularly while Potterballing out from the back.

United thrashing Leeds again is funny - looked from what I saw like the same giant open spaces to run into as last season, but some of the goals were class.

[Gray Fox]

Not too bad, but that midfield 3 isn't working.

Get Harvey on for Ox in the 2nd half.

[Don]

Mans calling some urban mixed-race winger a playmaker :happycry:

We'd be 2-1 down now if this was last season, even if he's 50% back, he remains the most influential CB in the sport :drool:

[niko_cee]

Not too bad, but that midfield 3 isn't working.

Get Harvey on for Ox in the 2nd half.

I dunno. A few seasons back, maybe more, I guess they were looking long term at those two as 'the 8s', does give a nice attacking edge and certainly makes the game more open. Would be nice to see them functioning. Balls to solidity, just let Fabinho do double shifts when he's back.

Jota is such a quandry. No where near the influence in the game of Firmino, but so much sharper in front of goal [Firmino would probably have tried to pass that chance back to Salah].

What's the deal with subs this year, are we back to 3?

[Waffdon]

I thought we were but there was about 10 subs made at the game I was at today so who knows. Could have been because it was a cup game

[Lofty]

https://twitter.com/KyIeverton/status/1426544086585053185?s=19

[Gray Fox]

I dunno. A few seasons back, maybe more, I guess they were looking long term at those two as 'the 8s', does give a nice attacking edge and certainly makes the game more open. Would be nice to see them functioning. Balls to solidity, just let Fabinho do double shifts when he's back.

Jota is such a quandry. No where near the influence in the game of Firmino, but so much sharper in front of goal [Firmino would probably have tried to pass that chance back to Salah].

What's the deal with subs this year, are we back to 3?

Back to normal I think.

In this setup I'd like to see Jota on the left and Mane through the middle.

[randomlegend]

Mans calling some urban mixed-race winger a playmaker :happycry:

We'd be 2-1 down now if this was last season, even if he's 50% back, he remains the most influential CB in the sport :drool:

Haha ye DAE black people can only run fast XD

[igor_balis]

I've said it before, but fouls like the one cantwell did should be a red.

[Ian]

Haha ye DAE black people can only run fast XD

I mean this is your own fault for treating him like a person with opinions worth valuing.

[Don]

Utd boys are back in town! But calm down lads, bask in this, you'll be back to being irrelevant in a few weeks.

[Kikó]

Most boring poster by a mile.

[Waffdon]

Salah is inevitable.

has Liverpool/Norwich ever been a close game?

[Don]

Harvey on the pitch, Utd boys on my dick, what a life.

[niko_cee]

Salah is inevitable.

has Liverpool/Norwich ever been a close game?

There was a mad 5-4 once.

Salah with 3 goal contributions.

:harold:

[seriously, that one at the end where he didn't shoot, is there something wrong with him?]

[mo]

Good footballer but very injury prone. You seem to have found the light at the end of the tunnel?

Sunderland seem to have done some recruitment homework this time round. We appear to be signing/loaning young players who can actually play football!

Yes mate, the future is looking a lot brighter nowadays. Been a quick turnaround - 3 weeks ago we had a handful of pros and some youth teamers.

Good luck to Sunderland this year, fingers crossed this might be the year you actually escape!

[Gray Fox]

Jota is such a quandry. No where near the influence in the game of Firmino, but so much sharper in front of goal [Firmino would probably have tried to pass that chance back to Salah].

You saw this again today. Liverpool were the better team throughout, but once Firmino and Fabinho came on it was just dominant.

[niko_cee]

That's probably more on Fabinho though, who's pretty mega.

[randomlegend]

Left wing with license to roam about is clearly Pogba's best position. Shame it's taken until he's 28 for someone to work it out.

[Don]

Tom Cleverley is back in the prem? :D Such a fucking mess of a squad, 8 strikers listed on FPL, just a complete mish-mash of shite knitted together with pure BLM genetics and 1 decent player. Shoutout to the handful of latin american money laundering vehicles too.

[Lewis]

It's been obvious for years he should be as far forward as possible. Best dribbler. Best passer. Most creative. Can shoot, run, head... Can't defend to save his life and is also quite lazy. Looks... Sorry, sounds just like Patrick Vieira to me.

[Manc]

Graham Potter looking like a new man. Must be odds on for next in line at Arsenal.

[niko_cee]

Not sure where I stand on that Burnley goal. I mean, I sort of get the "he's just trying to block him" defence, but, at the same time, players aren't obliged to get out of your way and you don't get license to just shove over anyone you feel might be doing so.

I can already see VAR is going to be a different sort of clusterfuck this season when they suddenly decide to get picky with it out of the blue.

[Don]

That Potter beard is something. The subs too, absolute genius.

[Pleb]

Villa in a relegation battle would be fucking hilarious.

[Giggles]

Connolly out for “personal issues”. He’s not good enough for that shit.

[niko_cee]

I'm sure they were singing something about him shagging someone else's bird at the Getafe game last week.

[Andy]

We always lose on the first day and always lose at Goodison. At least we managed to get those two combined this season.

Hassenhuttl with some very interesting team selections. Basically a whole new defence compared to last season.

[Don]

Salisu as a starting CB is gonna be bants unless you address it sharply. Kolo and Radebe aside, do we have any otger African trained defenders who wern't a shambles?

[Shindig]

Starting a third choice keeper. Freddie Woodman gets a Premier League debut because Darlow has long covid and Dubravka's injured. Other than that, we're full strength.

[Reg]

We always lose on the first day and always lose at Goodison. At least we managed to get those two combined this season.

Hassenhuttl with some very interesting team selections. Basically a whole new defence compared to last season.
What's the expectation there this season? Any shot at top half?

[thommo]

Cracking day out at Huddersfield yesterday. It was a little surreal going back to football after so long away, but a great performance from Fulham was helped by how poor Huddersfield are.

And what a finish from Mitro for the first goal, classic Championship football.
1426604815090655232

[SincereTheRebel]

We knew this already but Vardy and his celebrations make him a cunt and a legend.

[Spikey M]

Cracking day out at Huddersfield yesterday. It was a little surreal going back to football after so long away, but a great performance from Fulham was helped by how poor Huddersfield are.

And what a finish from Mitro for the first goal, classic Championship football.
1426604815090655232

I can't work out if he meant that or just fell over trying to change direction.

[Andy]

What's the expectation there this season? Any shot at top half?

I think we are a couple of squad players short of a top half push. We also lack a bit of quality throughout the team.

I think if we survive this season we should be able to start kicking on again as we've cleared a lot of deadwood. Lemina, Hoedt, Gunn, Carrilo and Boufal have all left recently and they were all a real drain. Add on the money saved from Ings and Vestegaard leaving and we should be able to really kick on if we invest that cash correctly.

[Shindig]

Gerd Muller is no more. :(

[Waffdon]

That Newcastle midfield and defence looks relegation fodder in the Championship never mind the PL

[Shindig]

Really? Saint-Maximin, Murphy, Almiron and Shelvey. Championship relegation fodder. Have a word. :D

[Waffdon]

Murphy, Ritchie, Almiron, Krath, Clark and Fernandes are all utter shite. Hayden/Shelvey worst midfield partnership in the league.

[randomlegend]

Were Villa missing a load of players yesterday? Their starting line-up looked like absolute dross.

[Waffdon]

Watkins injured and Bailey on the bench. I think that’s about it. They won’t do much at all with Mings starting every week and now no John Terry to at least talk him through games

[randomlegend]

Mings is an absolute paycheck stealer and a despicable cunt to boot.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Cresswell :cool:

Absolute don in fantasy.

[Lewis]

Mings is an absolute paycheck stealer and a despicable cunt to boot.

Please consider his mental health.

[Baz]

Newcastle look alright.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Do they?

[Waffdon]

Ake/Mendy down City’s left?

Spurs win.

[Spikey M]

That Spurs line up is bottom half stuff.

[Shindig]

We've been too open in this game but at least we're finding the net. We'll do alright on this showing.

[SincereTheRebel]

I forgot Ake was a City player.

[randomlegend]

Gwarn Tottenham.

[Waffdon]

Man City are always a mess against Spurs away. They just let them counter on them at will every single time. Fernandinho looking his age and the defence is awful down the left side as I said before.

[randomlegend]

Bergwijn is fucking awful.

[Yevrah]

Are City missing players? If not, how have they spent a billion and ended up with this?

[Luke Emia]

Are City missing players? If not, how have they spent a billion and ended up with this?

De Bruyne & Jesus on the bench who could say should start and maybe Zinchenko but not a huge amount more.

[randomlegend]

There's a few on the bench who would normally be first choice (De Bruyne, Rodri, Stones) but it doesn't look a million miles off to me. Their only striker is Jesus.

[Lewis]

I watched that fan debate thing in full, and Gary Neville trying to justify Harry Kane spitting his dummy was some right sad shit.

[Lewis]

Jack Grealish looks like a tosser in that blue kit as well. He will be back at [The] Villa before the end of his contract.

[Waffdon]

Spurs always look better playing on the break with Son/Lucas. That’s how they got to the CL final, Kane did fuck all in that run. Were better off without him

[randomlegend]

City need a striker desperately. If they can't get Kane then they need to just drop £30m on some jobber and go after Haaland next summer.

[Waffdon]

Not a single draw. No more covid ball :drool:

[niko_cee]

I was musing to myself, having seen the standard Jack Grealish has won 4 fouls, 2 fouls more than anyone else in the first half stat on the BBC livetext, whether said foul winning will be a good thing or not for City. Those fouls are usually bought to relieve pressure and slow the game down, and City don't really need or want to be doing either of those things, and they're absolutely wank at set pieces so it's not like it'll even help in that regard.

Anyway, good to see them jettisoning some points already.

The smugness exuding off Daniel Levy when they cut to him with 5 minutes to go.

I wonder which of Spurs or City actually need Kane more?

[Shindig]

I think City do. Son is a good alternative for Spurs but City have to plug an Aguero-sized hole. Ferran Torres isn't that guy.

[-james-]

Bergwijn is fucking awful.

I think he's a baller and was great today. So direct, basically perfect for a Nuno side.

[Spikey M]

Jack Grealish loses alot of his game when he has to hold his position. If City want the player he was at Villa then he needs to be free to roam. I like Tanganga but he shouldn't have Grealish in his pocket like that all game.

[Gray Fox]

The soulless stadia suited City down to their own soulless core. They're in for a bit of a shock if they think they can turn up and piss it this time.

[Waffdon]

They did start horrifically last year too, but then so did Man Utd and Chelsea had Frank Lampard in charge. It should be quite tight this year, but you’ll get a grasp of whether or not Chelsea are contenders over the next few weeks as I think they play most the ‘big 6’ other than Man Utd. The latter and Liverpool could get quite a nice cushion come October if they play as they did as the weekend.

Pedri starting again today, averaged a game every 5 days for the last year :lol:

[randomlegend]

I think he's a baller and was great today. So direct, basically perfect for a Nuno side.

He carries the ball well but his end product is atrocious.

Edit: apart from when he banged one in against us obviously

[Spikey M]

He's basically Aaron Lennon.

[Reg]

I think he's a baller and was great today. So direct, basically perfect for a Nuno side.
It'll be interesting to see whether Nuno can successfully get them countering and Sonblasting away, and break down deep sides consistently. Didn't it seem to be his (relative) failure at Wolves - that he didn't make them more multidimensional?

Thought City were really poor. Seemingly a lack of zip/hunger from everyone bar Fernandinho.

[Mellberg]

Watkins injured and Bailey on the bench. I think that’s about it. They won’t do much at all with Mings starting every week and now no John Terry to at least talk him through games

None of these ready to start or injured:

Watkins
Douglas Luiz
Bailey
Traore
Sanson
Trezeguet
Tuanzebe

Poor performance, but plenty more to come and essentially missing 7 players

[Waffdon]

Three of them - four if you include Watkins assuming he plays off the left - are wide players. I forgot about Luiz though, he’s a good player. The starting eleven does look good on paper, though Mings being a permanent starter gives me the fear

[Mellberg]

I should hope so considering we started with El Ghazi and a 36-year-old Ashley Young out wide. Watkins is a centre forward though.

[Manc]

ASM is electric.

[niko_cee]

lol at that penalty, the swan dive followed by immediate jump up should have given the ref a clue it was never a foul.

[igor_balis]

I'm pretty terrible at analysing and understanding football that I've not actually watched live at the stadium (i could make some class michael cox zonal marking shit for West Brom circa when I was a season ticket holder), but my uneducated take is that I thought Grealish looked good today, but I'm not sure it was the kind of good performance that actually improves that city side. When everyone's fit, I'm not sure how he fits into the XI, either.

[Don]

Great weekend of action and no football of consequence till next weekend. This is living :drool:

[Shindig]

lol at that penalty, the swan dive followed by immediate jump up should have given the ref a clue it was never a foul.

Yeah, I can see why Bruce was fuming. Should've been wiser to the rebound, though. It's like they didn't expect it to be saved. Freddie Woodman. A goalkeeper who is actually good at saving penalties.

[Ian]

So after looking him up to see why I knew so little about him following the Arsenal game I've decided I'm a big fan of Pablo Mari. Or at least his career arc.

Dosses around in Spain for a bit doing not much before he ends up at City. City send him on a series of loans to the Spanish second tier and Eredivisie where he also doesn't do much. Makes the unusual (and not entirely reassuring) move of being a European moving to Brazil with City taking a "what's the point?" fee of about a million quid for him. After a year there Arsenal decide he's the very fellow for them and make a loan permanent after he knackers his ankle and in the process he manages, depending which website is most trustworthy for wages, to double or quadruple his wages, something in the region of that.

I've no idea if he's any good but that is some career path.

[Ian]

Also, apparently Braithwaite became the first Danish player to score a La Liga brace. Is this a statistics only being counted during the Premier League era type situation or did Michael Laudrup really score all of his goals one per match for Barcelona?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Laudrup scored a brace vs Valencia on 22 November 1991 (the final Barcelona goals before the death of Freddie Mercury). Wrong again, stats nerds.

[Raoul Duke]

So after looking him up to see why I knew so little about him following the Arsenal game I've decided I'm a big fan of Pablo Mari. Or at least his career arc.

Dosses around in Spain for a bit doing not much before he ends up at City. City send him on a series of loans to the Spanish second tier and Eredivisie where he also doesn't do much. Makes the unusual (and not entirely reassuring) move of being a European moving to Brazil with City taking a "what's the point?" fee of about a million quid for him. After a year there Arsenal decide he's the very fellow for them and make a loan permanent after he knackers his ankle and in the process he manages, depending which website is most trustworthy for wages, to double or quadruple his wages, something in the region of that.

I've no idea if he's any good but that is some career path.

He was great in Brazil and his team won a title from what I read but yeah, weird career

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58235195

Barca £1.15B in debt and their wages are currently 103% of the club's income.

[Bernanke]

:happycry: :happycry: :happycry:

[Spikey M]

Beautiful.

[Raoul Duke]

Mes que un credit score

[Luca]

How did they register the new players if their wages are 103% of revenues? We've been reading for weeks that the La Liga limit was in the 70-80% range, no?

[Raoul Duke]

Pique took a pay cut

[Shindig]

He also took a shave and looks a completely different player.

[Reg]

Having realised that costs had to be cut, they hired a drunk kit designer on the cheap:

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/gerard-pique-of-fc-barcelona-during-the-la-liga-santander-match-fc-picture-id1234716865?s=2048x2048
https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/eric-garcia-of-fc-barcelona-nico-gonzalez-of-fc-barcelona-during-the-picture-id1234716394?s=2048x2048

I actually really like it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I know I've been railing against single colours in other contexts, but half and half shorts should never happen.

[Lewis]

He also took a shave and looks a completely different player.

https://i.imgur.com/5J8Lk7E.png

'What do you propose to do about it, brother?'

[Shindig]

Yeah, I'm glad he didn't stick with that. Unless he wants to be Jesse Ventura's stunt double.

[Luca]

I thought the valiant efforts of Gerard ‘Mes Que Un Jugador’ Pique got them down to 103%, which is still above the 70-80% target? Or has he gotten them down to 70-80%, which granted them the ability to go to 103% with the new lads?

Either way, FFP is broken.

[Offshore Toon]

If his wages were taking up 23% of their allowance then he's the true villain and not the little roidhead.

[wullie]

Found out today that Fankaty Dabo uses the same nursery as we do, I'd seen him before but didn't realise who it was until he turned up today in full training gear. Even then I didn't ask just in case of the whole we don't all look alike thing. Googled it, definitely him. Best friends within the month

[Jimmy Floyd]

I had the same problem when I saw Kurt Zouma in the vegetable aisle in the supermarket. I saw him and it was obviously Kurt Zouma, but rather than believe it, I just assumed myself to be a massive racist who had seen someone else. Eventually believed it when I saw him there a second time with his wife and googled her.

Huge, huge broccoli fan, is Kurt.

[Baz]

Found out today that Fankaty Dabo uses the same nursery as we do, I'd seen him before but didn't realise who it was until he turned up today in full training gear. Even then I didn't ask just in case of the whole we don't all look alike thing. Googled it, definitely him. Best friends within the month

Get him signed up here.

[Pepe]

Reminds me of when Ice-T and Coco Austin (:drool:) would eat in the restaurant I worked in. One day, some Chinese girls asked me in their mangled English if that was Ice-T (I didn't even know who he was at the time, although it was obvious that he was some sort of celebrity) and I, efficient as I was at my job, proceeded to bring them a cold pitcher of iced tea. They just rolled their eyes and drank about 5% of it.

[wullie]

I'm turning up to nursery dropoffs in Cov kits now, first step is to get a little acknowledgement nod. Then I'm in. Executive boxes, surplus club tracksuits, the bloody lot.

[Don]

There was a Coco Austin type slut viewing the flat next door to me today. Crossed paths again at the shops and greeted but I should have gone balls deep there and then and offered my number for any 'questions'. I've never wanted a property purchase to go through so bad :happycry:

[Pepe]

Make sure to bring her a welcome gift basket. Add some condoms in it so that she knows that you mean business.

[Spikey M]

Well she's not going to buy it with a Ponytailed Richard Reid prowling round the viewing is she?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

"Can I interest you in a child's bicycle?"

[Manc]

Well she's not going to buy it with a Ponytailed Richard Reid prowling round the viewing is she?

:D

[Lewis]

Huge, huge broccoli fan, is Kurt.

There was your introduction.

[Pepe]

Broccoli, broccoli is good. I like squash too...

[Manc]

No chance Jimmy converses with a Frenchman of his own free will.

[Spikey M]

He might not have a choice;

1427658631659638792?s=19

[Bernanke]

1427342093027102722

There's no way those first 3 seconds aren't from an upcoming FIFA.

[Spikey M]

He is the least attractive person on the planet.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He was just about above sea level with normal hair, but the top knot makes him into a full alien which must be destroyed and examined for science.

[Baz]

He’s incredible, is what he is.

With Messi going to PSG and Haaland being superhuman, Ronaldo’s days at the top (using IFFHS) could be numbered.

[Spikey M]

Thinking about it: Haaland, Ronaldo (pre-surgery), Kane, Rooney, Original Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Diego Costa.

Having an ugly mug appears to be the secret of top quality strikers.

[P_3]

This has got weird, bashing footballers for their looks. :cab:

[Ian]

Since when has TTH been the sort of place that doesn't do that?

[Spikey M]

This has got weird, bashing footballers for their looks. :cab:

Tevez. I forgot Tevez.

[Waffdon]

Lescott must have been too ugly

[-james-]

Just clocked that Sheriff Tiraspol are two games against Dinamo Zagreb away from getting into the group stage. Scenes.

3-0 up in the first leg. :eyemouth:

[Don]

1427641444412571653

[-james-]

That Moldovan Bank Fraud Scandal is quite the wikipedia rabbit hole.

[Luca]

We beat the low block of Burnley in a closed-door friendly featuring none other than Jadons Ancho. Even went 1-0 down for old time’s sake.

Stick your Citeh up your bum, it’s ours boys :drool:

[Dquincy]

Tevez. I forgot Tevez.

Add Iain Dowie to that list. And Luke Chadwick. Up there with the best.

[Don]

RB Salzburg playing a CL qualifier with a front 3 with an average of <19. None Austrian, all basically nurtured by the club's own system. They're so clear of the rest, how? This one looks a monster in the making too:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_%C5%A0e%C5%A1ko

[-james-]

They stick a men in Red Bull tops in Konakry, Porto Alegre and Le Havre and wait. It's a bit of a no brainer with the pathway they can offer.

I think this crop are quite unusually young. Something like fourty top tier league starts between the front six and average age of about twenty. Usually they stick them in their feeder side until they're a bit older so this lot must have something about them. Aaronson or Adeyemi look the ones to me.

[Don]

It seems to be more than simply scouting though as they're getting them young, it's some sort of Ajax education model that must be doing it. Easy access to CL qualifiers (hi Celtic and Rangers) is the only thing I can see them having over most other clubs who could and should be copycatting the methods.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

RB Salzburg playing a CL qualifier with a front 3 with an average of <19. None Austrian, all basically nurtured by the club's own system. They're so clear of the rest, how? This one looks a monster in the making too:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_%C5%A0e%C5%A1ko

Surely he's about a million shades too light for you.

[-james-]

It seems to be more than simply scouting though as they're getting them young, it's some sort of Ajax education model that must be doing it. Easy access to CL qualifiers (hi Celtic and Rangers) is the only thing I can see them having over most other clubs who could and should be copycatting the methods.

The coaching and facilities are elite but it's probably mostly that they just get the best kids. The top, top clubs aren't scouting in sub-Saharan Africa because they just let Salzburg do it and spend 30 million on whoever a few years down the line. The clubs the tier below (Ajax and Porto I suppose?) play in actually competitive leagues and can't afford to chuck a new random Slovakian teenager in each season. Even Haaland for instance everyone knew about but Salzburg was clearly the best move for him.

[-james-]

The hit rate on youth is still really low. If you look at their UEFA Youth League sides and Liefering sides from 4-5 years ago most of them are jobbing about FK Fritzl now.

[Don]

Hmm, fair. The hit-rate remains low (hence why Brentford's model of not having an academy is also something more clubs should be copying as a result) for sure which is why I get surprised about how they keep doing it. Rangers and Celtic were the two I mentioned in a similar scenario but I'm sure there's plenty of dominant Europea sides in lesser leagues that could copy Salzburg.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If nobody had an academy then where would all the young players come from?

[Don]

No, the smart ones that copy it will be feeding off the bigger clubs who don't care about the wastage and have a far bigger responsibility to their community to keep them in place. It's not a long-term sustainable model, just easy wins for any side below the top bracket for the medium term.

[Waffdon]

1428044314815385605

That’s horrendous

[igor_balis]

It isn't awful but it doesn't look remotely like a football shirt does it?

[Manc]

Where's the badge?

[Offshore Toon]

Where's the badge?

All over the kit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It looks a bit Cricket World Cup.

[Baz]

Looks like a Lonsdale top from Sports Direct.

[Queenslander]

Ange FC :cool:

Kyoto will end up with a goal a game surely and great news for the Ockeroos about Rogic's return to form.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I find myself weirdly rooting for them now (which is very much against the natural order of things), much in the same way I rooted, to no avail, for Bob Bradley at Swansea. Football needs these things.

[Queenslander]

I hope he stays for at least 5 years before he moves on to something else.

Im getting wonderful flashbacks of his 36 game unbeaten streak with Brisbane.

[Kikó]

Malmö seem pretty close to getting into the CL this season as well.

[Waffdon]

Ange FC :cool:

Kyoto will end up with a goal a game surely and great news for the Ockeroos about Rogic's return to form.

I thought he was about 22 at most, that Kyoto geezer. He does look a bit good, and Celtic also have started to click under him and look a lot more intimidating than Rangers. I’m Not sure how their defence will hold up though.

[Queenslander]

I thought he was about 22 at most, that Kyoto geezer. He does look a bit good, and Celtic also have started to click under him and look a lot more intimidating than Rangers. I’m Not sure how their defence will hold up though.

That new right back sounds like a bit of bargin.

Ange doing all his own scouting is cool I reckon there will more money ball signings from him especially from Asia.

[-james-]

On Kyogo, it's very rare these days that a player that nobody has ever heard of arrives and as instant a hit as he has been. I was at Celtic Park last night and there's Japanese flags and scarves with his face on everywhere.

2-0 was pretty flattering last night, it's a miracle they didn't concede, but I suppose it's the first time they've played a half decent side. For a season that was assumed to be a dead loss, Ange has done a hell of a job.

Even Joe Hart appears to be working out so far, though he clearly absolutely shits it whenever there's an opposing player within 10 yards of him when he has the ball at his feet.

[Don]

Wasn't the narrative that Celtic were hopeless and Rangers were walkig the league about a fortnight ago? Strangely quick reversal.

[Waffdon]

Dundee United ruined Rangers again.

The latter have also shit the bed with crowds back. Lost half their last 9 games with an away crowd or full capacity lolz

[Lofty]

https://theathletic.com/2771877/2021/08/19/chelsea-coaches-punched-and-kicked-young-black-players-in-1990s/

[Shindig]

Graham Rix. Didn't he shag a child?

[Giggles]

I still see Jimmy defending him somehow.

[Danny]

Trying to kiss the badge after scoring :lol:

https://streamable.com/g083r4

[Lewis]

That nobody Portuguese team who beat Tottenham released a rinky-dink video mocking them in the build-up and all the Tottenham fans were seething and calling them nobodies. :harold:

[Yevrah]

Any chance Messi will feature tonight?

[Don]

Left out of squad.

[Reg]

Didn't make the cut? Always thought he was overrated.

[Lofty]

1428745777078317060

[Ian]

Lad.

[Lewis]

That should cover most of his career.

[niko_cee]

Full stadium live football today, for the first time in 18 months. I can already hear the groans.

Sarr's probably going to ruin Solly March

[Reg]

Do you reckon we’ve got the groaniest ground in the league? I’m not sure why the Amex has often been so impatient. Don’t remember us being like that at Withdean.

[niko_cee]

I haven't been to another league ground for nigh on 20 years I don't think, so not sure I'm best placed to comment. Anfield always used to be quite groany, but that's because expectations were out of whack with on pitch reality. That's probably changed since Herr Klopp's been there.

The Amex certainly is quite groany and seems to have become more so in the premier league. I think it's just a feature of how well the team tends to do, so less groaning when team winning, which happened more in the championship. There is a crushing inevitability to the way Brighton have played in the premier league, they've just never scored enough goals for the crowd not to be in constant fear of going behind and thus probably losing. Maybe last weeks extremely surprising come from behind win is the start of a new era.

[Baz]

Have any of you (3?) Brightoners met?

Token :brighton:

[niko_cee]

I think Reg is the only one that lives in the region.

I'm only here intermittently visiting [the wife's] family. If James is the third one doesn't he live in Scotland? Although I guess we are all here at the moment . . .

[Don]

1428748666022481928

[Disco]

Ah the sweet return of match day revenue.

[Mellberg]

Villa Park was really groany, but then we had a dose of reality with three years in the Championship. Goodison Park is still bad for it.

[Reg]

Niko/Baz, I'm in Surrey, but probably moving to Sussex next year.

[niko_cee]

I saw Ben White got the dreaded 'FEC' write-up on the beeb the other day.

Do Arsenal tend to play with 2 or 3 at the back? Can't help but think he's going to get rather exposed in a 2 by anyone with more physicality than a sapling.

[Waffdon]

2 at the back last week but I presume they’ll switch to 3 and bring Holding in to try deal with Lukaku

[niko_cee]

Elliot starts for Liverpool.

[Gray Fox]

What a game to start him in too. And at CM.

[Don]

:drool:

Robbo on bench too ffs, RIP the Greek.

[randomlegend]

Christ, poor old Norwich have a rough welcome to the league with Liverpool then City.

[niko_cee]

Didn't they get the same last time around (although with the home/away reversed)?

[Foe]

Is konate likely to start at all this season.

I went a bit left field in my fantasy draft and grabbed him assuming he would anchor the back line with van dijk, but klopp seems intent on playing matip..

[Baz]

Matip and VvD are expected first choice until Matip inevitably gets injured, IMO.

[Foe]

:(

Upsetting.

[niko_cee]

Burnley [repeatedly] wasting time inside the first 10 minutes.

:sick:

[Adamski]

Shame that was offside, lovely move. Elliot doing well.

[niko_cee]

Aye.

Where are they drawing these fat lines from nowadays? Is it back to the shoulder/armpit and not the elbow?

That Tarkowski one was interesting just before half time. Clearly leads with his arm into the 'keeper, but less of a foul than the one he got away with last week.

[thommo]

Elliott's ok but he's no Fabio Carvalho, think Liverpool stole the wrong youngster from our academy.

[Dquincy]

Love it.

1429053168374140933