August football: Club football is BACK!

[Ian]

Of course if you're into your fitba then it was BACK already yesterday, with a bang as the mighty Academicals opened their Championship campaign by coming back from 4-0 down to snatch a point at Raith.

But this week it's ALL happening. It's Team Murica vs. Team Pepe in the Gold Cup final this evening, there's Olympic football semis and finals to look forward to, European qualifying, Europa Conference League games (!!!!), the weekend kicking off in style with FA Cup qualifying between New Salamis and Kensington & Ealing Borough and then the week after the Premier League makes its long-awaited-by-somebody-probably return with such treats as Brentford mugging off Arsenal on Friday the 13th, Norwich presumably taking their customary biffing off Liverpool on the 14th and Jack Grealish's Manchester City beating Sad Harry Kane's Tottingham on the 15th.

Football. Football! FOOTBALL!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF_uOgyBK1c

[Baz]

Yes mate.

[Don]

At the height of ESL drama and lockdowm depression, strong words were said but let it be known, this love remains, at least for another season to provide some light relief from the monotony of life.

Mon :drool:

[Mike]

Good old football.

[Don]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/01/russell-martin-leaves-mk-dons-to-become-new-swansea-city-manager

MK have just had a bit of a squad overhaul with about 10 new signings, lot of them no doubt buying into Martin's wank. I didn't keep a close eye on them but he never really excelled on results yet seems to have got a rep because he's i) young, ii) plays possessional football and iii) has long hair. Be interested to see who Winkleman has up his sleeve as a replacement, they did BLM before BLM was even a thing so I'm looking closely at that fat Chelsea bint.

[Queenslander]

'Mon Celtic!

[Lewis]

:nono:

[Queenslander]

Ange sold out Lang Park 3 times for 3 grand final wins. :cool:

https://i.ibb.co/02DgJ4q/during-the-2012-A-League-Grand-Final-match-between-the-Brisbane-Roar-and-the-Perth-Glory-at-Suncorp.jpg (https://ibb.co/JtBfk6n)

[Pepe]

Didn't even know the Gold Cup final was today. Thanks for the thread Ian.

[Ian]

If you Google Gold Cup you see not only that Team Pepe BOTTLED it (or y'know, just... lost) but also Google spaffing fireworks-y American flags all over your screen.

Probably paid a Mexican to do it and everything.

[Pepe]

Went to bed after regulation time. They did, indeed, BOTTLE it. That US team was atrocious.

[Don]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/aug/02/var-set-to-end-premier-league-players-buying-a-penalty-next-season

Whisper it you cunts but it seems like we might just have our game back :drool:

[Luca]

The scenes when a PENANDES dive doesn’t get overturned against Liverpool. :drool:

[Spammer]

I'm off to watch THE MIGHTY BLADES play Birminghamon Saturday. Full stadium. Just don't give a fuck.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We won't have our game back until I've had it confirmed that contrasting shirts and shorts colours are back on the menu.

[-james-]

Celtic have signed thirty four year old Joe Hart on a three year deal.

[Shindig]

He’ll probably do alright there.

[Don]

The scenes when a PENANDES dive doesn’t get overturned against Liverpool. :drool:

He's gonna struggle to get double-figures :happycry:

[Giggles]

Bowez :cool:

1422658291197431811

Should have won by more in the end.

[Waffdon]

Bowez :cool:

1422658291197431811

Should have won by more in the end.

Ali Coote :cool:

He was meant to be the next best thing but couldn’t adapt to senior football. Just got bullied all the time by the hammer throwers. Nice to see him doing well

[Waffdon]

Man Utd’s coach pulled up and went into a restaurant I was walking past in Dundee lol. Very random

[randomlegend]

Man Utd’s coach pulled up and went into a restaurant I was walking past in Dundee lol. Very random

https://www.reddit.com/r/reddevils/comments/oy1kly/united_are_currently_training_in_st_andrews_and/

?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Greenwood getting a well done fillet steak.

It's been fun but it's time he left.

[Jimmy Floyd]

So many things are unsurprising on there, not the least of which is Jesse Lingard being a childlike fussy eater.

Only the Brits trust the sticky toffee pudding, with johnny foreigner sticking to his bland flan.

[Waffdon]

https://www.reddit.com/r/reddevils/comments/oy1kly/united_are_currently_training_in_st_andrews_and/

?

What?

[Lewis]

Luke Shaw getting 'fries and chips' and being too bloated for a pudding has set him back two years.

[Waffdon]

He’ll be going to Tesco across the road for some snacks on the coach home.

[randomlegend]

What?

Was just curious if that was the same place you saw them.

[Waffdon]

Yeah, I was walking to the train station and wondered why there was a crowd of people either side of Forgans’ and then the coach pulled up. Could see Martial’s moody face a mile away.

I used to take all my Tinder dates to there, didn’t think it was good enough for millionaires though. That and there’s a Forgans in St Andrews

[Shindig]

Rib of beef doesn't sound much of anything. Axel's getting his arse loaned to Antwerp forever with that appetite.

[Waffdon]

Also: the restaurant is opposite to wear Magic broke his jaw. So nice TTH Trivia for ya

[Manc]

Fernandes & Mata setting themselves apart with the starter.

[niko_cee]

Cheeseburger, halloumi fries and mac and cheese?

Normal bread clearly the winning option. Knowing Scotland that's probably some sort of elaborate toast.

[Waffdon]

Just bread with balsamic vinegar or olive oil

[Luca]

What an appetite Fat Luke has. Mason’s well-done steak transgression is rectified by the fact that he’s not gone anywhere near a carbohydrate. My man :cool:

[Ian]

Were it not for the halloumi fries Greenwood's selection isn't far from a Molton dinner.

What a boring little shite.

[Shindig]

"Chicken on pasta, please."

[Boydy]

Chicken supreme? Where were they eating the 70s?

Jimmy or niko joke: It was in Dundee, so yes.

There you go, saved you the hassle, lads.

[Ian]

Excellent joke Jimmy or niko, rep coming your way.

[niko_cee]

Just honoured to be in such esteemed company.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Look, Boydy, if you want to join the team of writers who run the Jimmy, niko and Ian accounts, just PM some of your material and I'm sure they'll consider you.

[Ian]

That's what 7om was going for in his WDYTOE talking about BEEF between me and Jimmy. Pitching ideas, trying to get us some of that reality TV-loving demographic.

[SvN]

Chicken Tempura and Tempura Chicken being different things is interesting.

[randomlegend]

They are?

Edit: never mind didn't realise we were still on the menu

[Waffdon]

Michael Ballack’s son died in a quad crash last night aged 18. Christ

[Pepe]

No one can possibly survive four crashes tbf.

[Spikey M]

Especially one that lasted for 18 years.

[niko_cee]

Fofana breaking his leg has thrown my fantasy plans into disarray.

Also good to see Leicester carrying on with their injury curse.

[Waffdon]

The guy who made the challenge 100% meant it. He wins the ball and then deliberately, err, scissors Fofana’s leg in the follow through as payback for an earlier challenge made on him. Can see his bone sticking out somewhat if you freeze the video

Made me rearrange my whole team too, no idea why he was chilling at 4.5m.

[Giggles]

:drool:


1423352462715543558

[Lewis]

1423361933508587520

Yeah throw it up why not.

[Lewis]

Me round 7om's house.

[Pepe]

Oh dear.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's a fabulous effort managing to tweet that.

[randomlegend]

1423361933508587520

Yeah throw it up why not.

:lol:

[Pepe]

Gone already. :D

[randomlegend]

https://i.imgur.com/BztQXE1.png

Here's a screenshot for anyone who missed it.

[Pepe]

The training cone was a nice touch. Top effort.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Currently Galatasaray 1 St Johnstone 1 with a few minutes to go in the Uefa Cup. What a glorious cross-cultural tie that is.

[Waffdon]

Their manager is the new Alex Ferguson

[Foe]

Currently Galatasaray 1 St Johnstone 1 with a few minutes to go in the Uefa Cup. What a glorious cross-cultural tie that is.

Two difficult away trips in a row that. Dingwall and then Istanbul. Two solid draws.

[Jimmy Floyd]

One of them a trip to a major European metropolis noted for its road bridge across a wide body of water, and then they were off to Turkey after that.

[Waffdon]

1423692565929500684

:lol:

Born and bred in Glasgow all his childhood ffs

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nice to see an English football crowd again in this Bomo v baggies game.

Also nice to see Scott Parker wearing a tie clip, as if he's a hotel concierge rather than a football manager.

[Shindig]

I didn't know he'd got straight back into a job. Good for him. Seems like a decent club to pick, too.

[Giggles]

Nice to see Dara O’Shea scoring.

[Pleb]

Actual football huh?

[niko_cee]

Just seen Liverpool played a couple of 60 minute games against Bologna in the week and they were wearing red shirts, black shorts and white socks. That'd had better not be a thing.

[John Arne]

Just seen Liverpool played a couple of 60 minute games against Bologna in the week and they were wearing red shirts, black shorts and white socks. That'd had better not be a thing.

It was a fuck up, apparently. Liverpool were due to wear our new away kit, but then Bologna rocked up in white at the last minute.

[randomlegend]

Pickford is having an absolute shocker in this friendly. Looks like he's lost his ADHD medication.

[Shindig]

The mackems have taken over a pub in town. :moop:

[randomlegend]

United absolutely raping Everton here. 3-0 in 28 minutes. Bruno with a 25 yard penalty.

[Ian]

Watching pre-season friendlies. :sick:

[Spikey M]

Watching Pre-Season friendlies is up there with sponsored zoo animals in the child stakes.

[niko_cee]

10 years at the Amex today. Think they were hoping for someone a bit higher profile than Getafe but it'll be good to go to the football again for the first time in ages, assuming they let me in with my dodgy island covid certificate.

[niko_cee]

United absolutely raping Everton here. 3-0 in 28 minutes. Bruno with a 25 yard penalty.

Greenwood likely to start the season?

[randomlegend]

Greenwood likely to start the season?

Sancho hasn't even joined the squad yet so looks like it.

[randomlegend]

My Grandad was a season ticket holder for years at Norwich, but they stopped going once my Nan got too frail. I want to take him to a game this season as it's likely the last chance he'll get to go (he's in his early 90s now).

I see the ticket sales are set up so they don't go on general sale until they've been offered up to a load of priority groups (regular attenders essentially). Do I have a hope in hell of managing to buy tickets on general sale (I don't care which game it's to) or am I going to need to get a favour from someone with a season ticket or something?

[igor_balis]

Dunno

[Reg]

I'd be surprised if you can't get a ticket unless maybe it's v a 'big six' team. There are hundreds of Brighton tickets are available for our third home game for example, and they've been on general sale since Thursday. Probably better to ask on a Norwich forum/reddit.

[Waffdon]

Rangers :lol:

[Spikey M]

Should be easy buying tickets for a midweek game against a nonsense club like Leeds or Arsenal.

[Andy]

My Grandad was a season ticket holder for years at Norwich, but they stopped going once my Nan got too frail. I want to take him to a game this season as it's likely the last chance he'll get to go (he's in his early 90s now).

I see the ticket sales are set up so they don't go on general sale until they've been offered up to a load of priority groups (regular attenders essentially). Do I have a hope in hell of managing to buy tickets on general sale (I don't care which game it's to) or am I going to need to get a favour from someone with a season ticket or something?

You'll get tickets easy, just be on the ball as soon as they turn to general sale.

[Boydy]

You're a good egg, RL.

[randomlegend]

Thanks all.

[igor_balis]

You're welcome.

[randomlegend]

Especially you Igor.

[Spikey M]

You're welcome.

:D

[Lewis]

Watching pre-season friendlies. :sick:

Sorry you don't support the club as much loser.

[Shindig]

Dwight Gayle's scored twice against Norwich. Tell your Granddad not to bother, Randrew.

[randomlegend]

Given he had a season ticket for like 20 years, I don't think he went for the winning.

[Shindig]

There's winning and then there's giving Dwight false hope.

[niko_cee]

So what you're saying is he's not a fantasy football banker then?

How's Callum Wilson going?

[P_3]

My Grandad was a season ticket holder for years at Norwich, but they stopped going once my Nan got too frail. I want to take him to a game this season as it's likely the last chance he'll get to go (he's in his early 90s now).

I see the ticket sales are set up so they don't go on general sale until they've been offered up to a load of priority groups (regular attenders essentially). Do I have a hope in hell of managing to buy tickets on general sale (I don't care which game it's to) or am I going to need to get a favour from someone with a season ticket or something?

Are you in your grandfather's will? :sherlock:

[Spikey M]

Sorry you don't support the club as much loser.

He doesn't even watch the flight trackers the no mark cunt.

[randomlegend]

He doesn't even watch the flight trackers the no mark cunt.

I found myself considering watching an u23 friendly the other day. That was a step too far even for me.

[Spikey M]

There's a Twitter account I saw once that reviews youth players from clubs up and down the country. I don't know why he bothers, every reply he gets is just people calling him a nonce and I don't doubt it either.

[randomlegend]

Are you in your grandfather's will? :sherlock:

No clue. Doubt it. He was a farm labourer his whole working life so don't think he has much to pass on, other than their house which I believe will go to my mum

[Shindig]

So what you're saying is he's not a fantasy football banker then?

How's Callum Wilson going?

Injured again. :D

Nevermind, he played an hour. Gayle came on for him.

[niko_cee]

Wait, the Charity Shield is today?

[niko_cee]

Look at the state of this lot.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/624/cpsprodpb/vivo/live/images/2021/8/7/2853e477-8f1f-4dfa-a227-29a1181326b2.png

Not sure I could confidently assert what the one on the left identifies as.

[randomlegend]

He identifies as the one on the right

[-james-]

The font on the back of that City top is a war crime.

[Ian]

Is that the one I saw that looks like text off a ye olde calculator?

[Giggles]

Where is it on?

[Disco]

Is that the one I saw that looks like text off a ye olde calculator?

It's the Blockbusters font.

[Giggles]

I don’t see it on sky or on the sports extra section. Is it on something stupid like BBC?

[Browning]

It’s on ITV.

[Giggles]

Christ. Is it a one off thing or has that shit show waded in on EPL coverage now too?

[Danny]

1424026719967666179

[randomlegend]

:lol:

[Lewis]

lol at him not celebrating that penalty like he's some City great.

[Waffdon]

Up there with Bruno Fernandes knee sliding after a goal in a friendly

[Lofty]

I found myself considering watching an u23 friendly the other day. That was a step too far even for me.

In person? They play a load of fixtures round the corner from my house and you can drink on the sidelines.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My Tottenham-supporting mate was giving me shit yesterday because Chelsea had 'bottled' a 2-0 lead against them. I was rifling back through the historical record to try and think which match he was referring to, but then he explained it had been a friendly this midweek. Why would you watch that?

[randomlegend]

In person? They play a load of fixtures round the corner from my house and you can drink on the sidelines.

No a Utd one online.

[phonics]

It's hard to give a fuck about pre-season friendlies when The Emirates Cup isn't on the line.

[niko_cee]

Meaningless or not, it's reassuring to know that 18 months away hasn't dulled the relentless shitness of Potterball and that even a small crowd (7000) is probably enough to spook Brighton into their previous pitiful ways [on the assumption they were less than dreadful last season, I tried not to look too much].

Aaron Connolly, I know he tries, but he just isn't a Premier League level player, and a midfield of Lallana, Mac Allister (if that's how it is spelled) and Gross is going to get lolled out of existence by the work rate of Burnley and Watford. Trossard was decent when he came on, but yeah, looking forward to Watford in 2 weeks . . .

Also, hats off to Getafe for getting in a prodigious amount of rolling around whilst holding faces and general time wasting/needle/other pointless shit. I know these things are meant to be building into the season, but I always assumed that was more of a fitness thing, than a shithousing one.

[randomlegend]

Mourinho getting himself sent off in a friendly. He's such a cock.

[-james-]

Meaningless or not, it's reassuring to know that 18 months away hasn't dulled the relentless shitness of Potterball and that even a small crowd (7000) is probably enough to spook Brighton into their previous pitiful ways [on the assumption they were less than dreadful last season, I tried not to look too much].

Aaron Connolly, I know he tries, but he just isn't a Premier League level player, and a midfield of Lallana, Mac Allister (if that's how it is spelled) and Gross is going to get lolled out of existence by the work rate of Burnley and Watford. Trossard was decent when he came on, but yeah, looking forward to Watford in 2 weeks . . .

Also, hats off to Getafe for getting in a prodigious amount of rolling around whilst holding faces and general time wasting/needle/other pointless shit. I know these things are meant to be building into the season, but I always assumed that was more of a fitness thing, than a shithousing one.


I don't think the midfield is really the problem, and I don't think that three sees the light of a competitive game. Agreed on Connolly, get him up to Charlton.

Potterball is fine, they just need someone that can score goals. That's basically the only problem.

Could probably do with another defender as well actually, it's looking a bit thin with Lamptey and Burn apparently out for the start of the season.

[phonics]

https://i.imgur.com/D3qWlZH.png
https://i.imgur.com/MqbYrId.png

All I did was hit one of the four visible icons down the bottom of the screen and this is the content that the algorithm says I need to see?

[Reg]

Meaningless or not, it's reassuring to know that 18 months away hasn't dulled the relentless shitness of Potterball and that even a small crowd (7000) is probably enough to spook Brighton into their previous pitiful ways [on the assumption they were less than dreadful last season, I tried not to look too much].

Aaron Connolly, I know he tries, but he just isn't a Premier League level player, and a midfield of Lallana, Mac Allister (if that's how it is spelled) and Gross is going to get lolled out of existence by the work rate of Burnley and Watford. Trossard was decent when he came on, but yeah, looking forward to Watford in 2 weeks . . .

Also, hats off to Getafe for getting in a prodigious amount of rolling around whilst holding faces and general time wasting/needle/other pointless shit. I know these things are meant to be building into the season, but I always assumed that was more of a fitness thing, than a shithousing one.
But it wasn't really a midfield of those three was it, with Mwepu and Bissouma? They're all good players anyway.

Up top is the only area worrying me.

[niko_cee]

Mwepu started at right wingback I think [obligatory giant fullback in Burn's absence], although he seemed to be all over as the game went on. It was quite hard to determine where various players were playing a lot of the time. He looked alright, but he's another defensive type. Problem is when you pack so many defensive players in it's hard to get anything going in attack even with good players [see England] so trying it with Connolly and Co is tough/borderline madness.

Lamptey is obviously a big miss, but he's always injured so can't really be relied on as a main attacking outlet.

I like March but he has zero end product.

[Waffdon]

Edouard will score a bucket load assuming he gets the chances Welbeck and Maupey got last year

[niko_cee]

They'd have to sign him first though.

[Baz]

Ronaldo would also score bucketloads.

[Waffdon]

Is Dani Alves the best full back ever?

[Lewis]

Did Tahith Chong really kill it in central midfield? Paulp Ogba replacement right there.

[Lewis]

1424376398848962566

Embarrassing. No wonder Harry Kane wants out.

[Baz]

Robbo’s injury doesn’t look good.

[John Arne]

Robbo’s injury doesn’t look good.

Aye, could be ligaments. Proper went over on it.

[niko_cee]

Thought it looked like his leg had gone full Cissé on first viewing.

[Gray Fox]

I think best you can hope for is a 2-3 weeker from there. Him walking off on it suggest it'll be worst case 2-3 months.

[-james-]

Kyogo. :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1424430110057406470

Apparently they are claiming that they asked the fourth official if they could make an additional sub and he agreed.

[Shindig]

I don't think that gets them off the hook. The 4th official gets reprimanded.

[Giggles]

But it wasn't really a midfield of those three was it, with Mwepu and Bissouma? They're all good players anyway.

Up top is the only area worrying me.

Has Molumby any hope of making a dent in that midfield or is he getting the door?

[Lewis]

Apparently they are claiming that they asked the fourth official if they could make an additional sub and he agreed.


I don't think that gets them off the hook. The 4th official gets reprimanded.

The Vote Leave defence. :cool:

[wullie]

Magic win over Forest yesterday, 96th minute winner. Absolutely worth the covid I can only assume was flying around that concourse.

[Ian]

I watched it, I thought City played pretty well and the Forest goalie must be fuming that he let that one go in in the way it did.

[wullie]

There was one point where they should have scored a second before HT and it somehow went under our keeper and over the bar, no idea how as that was definitely in from where we were. They seemed content with the 1-0 though which completely let us back into it, nice of them to giftwrap some points for our housewarming.

[Reg]

Has Molumby any hope of making a dent in that midfield or is he getting the door?
He’ll probably go out on loan as there are just too many ahead of him.

[mo]

Not sure if this qualifies as shithousery or what, but Swindon's previous owner was in charge from 2013-2021. The squad numbers 13-21 have been left oddly vacant (granted we only have 19/20 pros), new signings taking shirts in the mid- to high- 20s.

[Lewis]

1424988890000207900

:lol:

[Waffdon]

Crowds are back and Rangers start going back to being a mess :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Jimmy Floyd]

We are playing Villarreal in the cupasoup. That took me by surprise.

Trevoh Chalobah starting in it also took me by surprise.

[Don]

Werner's performance so far should balance those 2 surprises.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It did until I saw that Pau Torres is now back and playing in this :D

Will the man ever get a week off?

[Pepe]

1424988890000207900

:lol:

I like it but I wouldn't be seen wearing something to "champion inclusivity".

[Giggles]

“Ahead of…” why fucking bother.

[Spikey M]

1424988890000207900

:lol:

I can't be arsed to find out what the various rainbows mean, but I quite like that.

[Pepe]

All about the chevrons.

[Lewis]

lol at 'Kepa' and his McDonald's haircut.

[Lewis]

Where were those dogshit penalties against United you bums?

[Ian]

You don't waste good penalties on a friendly.

[phonics]

My takeaways from that match that I didn't watch. Kepa looks much better with longer hair, Jorginho looks like a knob with that hair.

[Don]

Last top competition that a side other than Liverpool win this season. Enjoy it, lads.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lovely moment there with Mendy giving it large on his behalf.

Chalobah really looked the part to me.

[Waffdon]

Last top competition that a side other than Liverpool win this season. Enjoy it, lads.

Wouldn’t be surprised if you boys finish 7th

[Jimmy Floyd]

City are winning the league by miles. The question is who comes second, third and fourth out of the Chels, y-nytid and Liverpool.

On another note, Kai Havertz might be the first man ever to become 10x less handsome when he smiles.

[Don]

Waff, put down the beers lad.

City are finishing third behind Chelsea if they think they're going into the season with Ferran Torres and Jesus as their forward options.

Rio thinks this is a good opportunity to try it but would like to see if Tuchel would make the keeper call in a CL/FA Cup game that 'really matters' later in the season, the fucking thick cunt.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is the first game I've had BT at home, it really is a load of shite isn't it. Jake Humphrey just screams cunt.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Someone is a grumpy Gus today. Don.

[Offshore Toon]

He's not wrong about Rio, though. One of the worst pundits around. He's basically Jenas mixed with roids and spray on hair.

[-james-]

City are winning the league by miles. The question is who comes second, third and fourth out of the Chels, y-nytid and Liverpool.

On another note, Kai Havertz might be the first man ever to become 10x less handsome when he smiles.

I really think Chelsea can run City close. I'm really looking forward to the fallout when United come fourth despite being better than last season.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If kakkers fires from the word go and stays firing, I guess we could get close to them. Otherwise I think we'll likely drop too many random points in random off games to be within 10.

[Don]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58179956

As much as I love all things Brentford, this Danish cunt is one tryhard wanker. Shame his ego is unavoidably going to have to be fed massively throughout the season.

[Queenslander]

The news has announced that we are bidding for the 2030 and 2034 World Cup.

[Spikey M]

I don't think the teams will go for a 4 year quarantine before, between and after the 2 World Cups tbh.

[Queenslander]

Nah you get used to it I promise.

[Ian]

I'm really looking forward to the fallout when United come fourth despite being better than last season.

All the "OGB must be doing something right because he came third then second!" seems to ignore how utterly shite everything behind City was last season.

[Kikó]

It depends on injuries this year but I'd be surprised if we weren't able to get the balance better this year and have more points of attack than Bruno. Defensively, you'd like to hope Varane reduces the need for McFred.

[Manc]

Do we have a prediction thread?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not until you start one.

[Yevrah]

BT Sport all set up for the big game on Saturday night.

That's PSG vs Strasbourg is case clarification were needed.

[Ian]

Yeah I thought yesterday that we're definitely getting a BBC live text about a game nobody gives even one single shit about just because MESSI DEBUT!!!!!!!!

[Shindig]

I have complete and utter faith in Mat Sels between the sticks.

[niko_cee]

I'm slightly at a loss as to why everyone thinks Chelsea are suddenly going to win the league.

[Ian]

Yeah, the BBC pundits mostly have Man City and the rest have Chelsea. I'd have expected City to dominate that but I'm surprised to see no predictions for Liverpool in there if they weren't down as favourites.

[Baz]

I'm slightly at a loss as to why everyone thinks Chelsea are suddenly going to win the league.Because they're not starting on -20 points by employing a binman like last season.

[Jimmy Floyd]

How many more reasons do you need?

1. We are Champions of Europe
2. We have an Intelligent German Manager
3. We have just bought/are about to buy Romelu Lukaku - And He Guarantees Goals
4. We thrashed Villarreal 1-1 last night
5. Michy Batshuayi

[Spikey M]

6. Selling Tammy.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Tammy was giving it large in the celebrations last night, soaking up every last moment of winning something before he moves to the dreaded artillery store.

[Giggles]

In my limited knowledge of the top of the league there, I thought with van Dijk back then Liverpool would have to be favourites wouldn’t they? They’ve most of their league winning team intact.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Intact and two years older. They'll be up there but City with their vast depth have to be favourites.

[Mike]

City
Liverpool
Chelsea
United

That’s my uneducated guess.

[Spikey M]

I struggle to believe VVD is the sole difference between the Liverpool that won the league with 99 points and the one that shat the bed last year.

[Don]

...and the other 6 CBs between him and whatever we were fielding last season.

[Spikey M]

It must be hard being the only team with injuries.

[niko_cee]

Considering shitting the bed is finishing third he probably is, at least in terms of the difference between being a contender to win the league as opposed to simply jockeying for a top 4 finish.

Think those 90 point seasons were rather the exception though, for both Liverpool, and the league winning threshhold.

[Waffdon]

Their midfield is meh and Salah Will have to hard carry again, which I doubt will happen.

[Spikey M]

Considering shitting the bed is finishing third he probably is, at least in terms of the difference between being a contender to win the league as opposed to simply jockeying for a top 4 finish.

Think those 90 point seasons were rather the exception though, for both Liverpool, and the league winning threshhold.

Finishing third with 31 less points. There's no player in the world making that much difference.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I seem to remember they only hit silly form when he turned up in the first place, so I can buy it.

[niko_cee]

Also I'm happy doubting Salah as much as the next man but fact is he's [probably] the top scorer in the league over the 4 seasons he's been there so he'll more than likely clock another 20 league goals.

He just needs the rest of the team to be less shit than they were last year.

[Gray Fox]

That the total for winning the league went up to basically 98 points from usually just getting mid 80's or so, is mental.

That being said, Liverpool and City then were magnitudes better than anyone else. Chelsea now without Binman should get to that level. United will likely be held back by their own Binman at key points. This is the first time he's going to have proper expectation on him too.

The top 4 could finish in any given order this year. It should be fun.

[Bernanke]

The Spanish heatwave is gonna create some interesting conditions this weekend. Sevilla has their kick-off on Sunday that has been pushed to 10.15, where it is expected to still be 37C. :|

[SvN]

That the total for winning the league went up to basically 98 points from usually just getting mid 80's or so, is mental.

That being said, Liverpool and City then were magnitudes better than anyone else. Chelsea now without Binman should get to that level. United will likely be held back by their own Binman at key points. This is the first time he's going to have proper expectation on him too.

I think that's fair. This season is "it" for Solskjaer. He finished second last season, he's been backed with 2 excellent signings. There's no hiding now.

It's not win or bust, but if we're out of the title race by March then I reckon he's taken us as far as he can.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea should be favourites alongside City. They have the most delete alongside Man City and about to sign someone who will finish a lot more chances than anybody was able to last year. They won the Champions League last year easier than any team in recent memory. They could probably do with signing another centre mid though as Jorginho/Kovacic are hopeless without Kante.

[Lewis]

1425798013272924169

His carer counting her payments.

[Baz]

What’s that programme?

[Danny]

Its from the Neville youtube thing, the overlap. Hour long part 1 went up today.


Kicks in at about 32 mins. Just got there in my watching.

[-james-]

http://josimarfootball.com/the-trillion-dollar-gambling-game/

Superb article on dodgy Eastern gambling money in Premier League football.

I've dealt with a lot of the entities mentioned and have always thought it mental how the likes of Laba360 were suddenly sponsoring Burnley, and nobody batted an eyelid. W88 who sponsored Wolves last season existed for all of about a fortnight.

[Don]

Isle of Man companies :sick:

Be nice to see Brentford and Brighton's romantic fairytales and guardian angels be outed as making a living through working with these criminals.

[Giggles]

I've just seen about that 'Hype Mode' on BT Sport :face:

[Don]

What is it? It sounds very mixed-race/BLM heavy.

No Auba or Laca. The mortgage should already have been on Bees but you can max out the payday loans now too :drool:

[Don]

https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/video/clips/2021/august/hype-mode-the-latest-game-changing-feature-on-the-bt-sport-app

Fuck off :D the fucking flames and dust trails :D :D

[Lofty]

Yeah that is less than ideal. Will Arteta play an actual striker up front or are we getting Willian?

[Manc]

https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/video/clips/2021/august/hype-mode-the-latest-game-changing-feature-on-the-bt-sport-app

Fuck off :D the fucking flames and dust trails :D :D

Heads have gone.

[Yevrah]

Having watched that I feel quite sick that I've given them at least £27.

[niko_cee]

That is a properly interesting line-up from Arsenal.

[Luke Emia]

The state of that Arsenal team.

[Shindig]

Willock would've got in that midfield. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ivan Toney to shit on Ben White.

[phonics]

This Brentford stadium looks a great day out.

[phonics]

What part of the Arsenal lineup are people surprised by?

[Ian]

I'm surprised that even allowing for how increasingly out of touch I am with football Arsenal are starting two players I've genuinely never heard of.

Although one of them is a yoof making his first senior appearance so maybe that's not so bad.

[Baz]

Are we really pronouncing Mbuemo as Umbermer?

[Manc]

There was me thinking I could tuck into Lorient v Monaco on Amazon. Nope.

[Giggles]

I'm surprised that even allowing for how increasingly out of touch I am with football Arsenal are starting two players I've genuinely never heard of.

Although one of them is a yoof making his first senior appearance so maybe that's not so bad.

Took me a good few players to guess which lineup was which.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:drool:

Chambers is shit.

[Ian]

Crowd noise. :drool:

[Baz]

Brentford fans are good. Been very goals for 24 solid minutes, just loving life.

Shame about the stadium.

[Luca]

What’s wrong with the stadium? Looks class.

[Baz]

What’s wrong with the stadium? Looks class.
It’s next to a motorway in the middle of nowhere. And the different coloured seats look dumb. Their old stadium was proper and notoriously a good away day, surrounded by pubs.

[phonics]

This has been an awful match and we’ve conceded to a 0.01 xG chance and looked fragile at the back under pressure. Same as ever.

[Lofty]

Willock would've got in that midfield. :D

Dogger as it is he wouldn't.

[phonics]

This clapping Saka stuff is absolute shit.

[Lewis]

He needs an ovation at Chelsea and a friendship with Jermain Defoe for the set.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That defending is comical.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

£50m Ben White refusing to jump.

[Waffdon]

That’s tragic :D

What a club

[randomlegend]

Mongos trying to tell me Ben White is a good signing for £50m :harold:

EDIT: Keeper was prolly fouled though.

[Waffdon]

Who told you that?

[Don]

We eating good tonight, boys.

[mo]

Well, Swindon have just announced the signing of Jonny Williams (yep, the Wales international, now playing in League Two) tonight, but also earlier today announced that a (former?) money launderer will be Vice Chairman so it's all swings and (magic) roundabouts. Still glad I bought a season ticket for the first time since 2013.

Zavier Austin, if you're curious.

[igor_balis]

the fuck are neville and carragher up to tonight

[Jimmy Floyd]

I didn't watch the game, but the Arsenal XI on paper looks like relegation stuff.

[Shindig]

I didn't watch the game, but the Arsenal XI on paper looks like relegation stuff.

They probably have enough class to avoid it but they'll need to find three teams worse than them.

[Luke Emia]

I didn't watch the game, but the Arsenal XI on paper looks like relegation stuff.

Pepe, Chambers, Lene, Xhaka and Balogun(as a starter kid might turn out well). Have no right to be starting for a team who reckon they want to be top six in the Premier League. Let alone the young kids who are decent without being spectacular. Tierney was their best player by a mile tonight and you can’t imagine he will be there too much longer if he has a full season because someone better will take him.

[niko_cee]

Chelsea and City next up for Arsenal.

Good luck Mikel. Anyone have him first for the chop?

[Shindig]

The board's had plenty of faith in him but I really don't think he survives a shite start.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea and City next up for Arsenal.

Good luck Mikel. Anyone have him first for the chop?

He’ll probably beat Chelsea, Arsenal always play well against them.

[Lewis]

Paul Kagame taking time out from his busy schedule of human rights abusing to call the club shithouse on Twitter is going to be hard to top, but they have a season to do it.

[Lofty]

He better strap himself in because this ride is only just getting started.

[Kikó]

Remember when Tim Cahill thought Arteta was the one showing he had a plan.

[ScousePig]

Well, Swindon have just announced the signing of Jonny Williams (yep, the Wales international, now playing in League Two) tonight, but also earlier today announced that a (former?) money launderer will be Vice Chairman so it's all swings and (magic) roundabouts. Still glad I bought a season ticket for the first time since 2013.

Zavier Austin, if you're curious.

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!

[Baz]

Chelsea and City next up for Arsenal.

Good luck Mikel. Anyone have him first for the chop?

Just one shrewd lad (https://www.thethirdhalf.co.uk/showthread.php?2918-21-22-Predicion-Thread&p=490111&viewfull=1#post490111), actually.

[Giggles]

Has Klopp finally had the eyes done?

[Max Power]

How novel to be going to the football this afternoon. 3pm kick off as well!


https://youtu.be/8f2-Hw8ukqc

[Yevrah]

Just watched the Arsenal highlights. Rofl.