Septemball: The window closes. Thank fuck.

[Ian]

Yes, the day has arrived when we can finally stop dealing with transfer rumours for a bit and instead just get stuck into enjoying some footoh for fuck's sake it's the international break already? Christ.

Alright well I guess we've got a load of qualifiers. Is anybody interested?

England have Hungary away, Andorra at home and Poland away. I struggle to think of a more glum set of fixtures.

Once that's back we've got the return of the Champions League AND the League Cup so it's all happening.

[Boydy]

I hate this international break so much.

[Spikey M]

Real Madrid going to sign Mbappe in January according to my sources.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I love qualifiers. DR Congo's glorious drive to the World Cup begins here. 35 year old Dieumerci Mbokani, 32 year old Yannick Bolasie and Turkish football's Britt Assombalonga lead the charge against the might of Tanzania and Benin.

[CJay]

Ireland's squad is so depressing to read through. Portugal tonight. Azerbaijan and Serbia are the next two games. We've already lost to Luxembourg in this campaign.

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), James Talbot (Bohemians)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley)

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion)

Attackers: Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Long (Southampton), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth)


I make that 3 regular starters from the PL. We will get smashed tonight.

[Disco]

Internationals back already. :drool:

[Lewis]

Ronaldo's second debut. :cool:

[randomlegend]

Only 4 months til the window reopens :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

England's fixtures are lol. Trips to bordering central European nations, with a journey home in the middle to take on a country that possesses exactly two football pitches.

[Manc]

I'm looking forward to the Hungary & Poland games. Sneaky suspicion England will be caught cold.

[Giggles]

Ireland's squad is so depressing to read through. Portugal tonight. Azerbaijan and Serbia are the next two games. We've already lost to Luxembourg in this campaign.

Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), James Talbot (Bohemians)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley)

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion)

Attackers: Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Shane Long (Southampton), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth)


I make that 3 regular starters from the PL. We will get smashed tonight.

I’m firmly off the Kenny bandwagon after that squad selection. He’s preached in the past about players having to play and bringing in the youth, but we still get Hendrick and Harry fucking Arter.
We’re going to get trounced anyway so why waste time on deadwood like that? He’s definitely shat his pants and all the talk is gone out the window.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't know if he had a predecessor of the same surname, but it feels like Irish fans on here have been detesting Hendrick for about 15 years now.

[Giggles]

He’s the dictionary definition of a passenger in an Ireland shirt. His last half decent game was agains Sweden in Euro 16.

[Kikó]

I'm going England v Andorra with the murderous Lee. Massive game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I just looked at their side and it seems Ildefons Lima is still playing for them, which is ridiculous. His fourth cap was a pre World Cup friendly for France 98 against the Brazil of Ronaldo, Bebeto, Dunga, Aldair etc.

[Ian]

A THE GROUP day out. Tedious seethe inbound.

[Kikó]

Actually the first time I've been to Wembley to watch England. I'm a proper fan now.

[Ian]

No idea if it's true but a bunch of the rags are reporting that Mendy had a "meltdown" when he found out he was in the VP wing while he's in custody with the nonces rather than a VIP wing.

Lol, if so.

[CJay]

Central African Republic v Cape Verde live on Fifa's youtube channel, for the diehards out there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skM3TrXz610

Being played in torrential conditions. :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Central African Republic having a 50,000 seater stadium like that is so on-brand it hurts. Probably has solid gold dugouts etc.

Pleased to say they have also just re-appointed Swiss tactical guru Raoul Savoy for his third stint at the helm. He's also had spells with Ethiopia, Swaziland and the Gambia, been turned down for the Rwanda job, and done time at three different Algerian clubs, three different Moroccan clubs, a club in Cameroon, and Sion reserves, achieving precisely nothing at any of them. Probably been paid about 4 times in his life as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Cape Verde's XI (I am full of fun facts today) features Roberto Lopes, who only has two caps so far but 330 appearances in Irish club football.

How can you say this stuff is worse than Norwich v Burnley.

[Don]

Would highly recommend following the AFC qualifying. Nice compact 2 group format and developing nations mkes it a competitive affair.

[-james-]

I'm not sure I've ever seen a goal like that CAF one before. Shot through the keepers legs, rebounds off the back of his foot and into the path of the forward for a tap in.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I love qualifiers. DR Congo's glorious drive to the World Cup begins here. 35 year old Dieumerci Mbokani, 32 year old Yannick Bolasie and Turkish football's Britt Assombalonga lead the charge against the might of Tanzania and Benin.

All this twee DR Congo spiel and I neglected to notice in my research that they have been coached, since May, by HECTOR CUPER.

[John Arne]

Would highly recommend following the AFC qualifying. Nice compact 2 group format and developing nations mkes it a competitive affair.

Vietnam fans have got them self proper carried away, expecting points against Saudi and the Aussies.
0pts incoming, and a negative goal difference of -8.

[Giggles]

Hendrick starts…..

It’s a scarily attacking lineup from what was available. Absolute hammering incoming.

[Giggles]

1433117448190922754

[phonics]

Dara O'Shea sounds like someone Sincere made up.

[Spikey M]

Deserve to lose for not starting Parrott. :nono:

[Giggles]

I’d have started him over Connolly for definite.

[Giggles]

Dara O'Shea sounds like someone Sincere made up.

I thought you’d have known the West Brom lad.

[Lofty]

Rife on social media that Odegaard and Lacazette are shagging each other, I'll file it under the James Rodriguez sex change rumours for now though.

[Shindig]

Baz would've had a thread for that by now.

[Lewis]

Arsenal should distance themselves from gayness before the Middle East finds out.

[Ian]

Well I guess we know what Baz is getting the board for Christmas this year.

Alarm clocks for 5am lads.

[Don]

1433024138466168835

get kneeling.

[Giggles]

8 international goals in the team tonight, and Duffy has 4 of them.

[Don]

Was between Scotland and this but I'm tuned in and quite impressed by the Irish positivity in opening 5 mins. Mon a CR ACL.

[Giggles]

Hendrick got the ball there.

[Don]

Not like Bruno to go down like a sack of shit after no contact :happycry:

[Giggles]

O’Shea was a disgrace there going down holding the face too.

[Don]

Gahahaha.

[CJay]

G'wan Bazunu!

Ridiculous to take that long over a penalty decision - it can hardly be a clear foul if the ref has to watch it for 5 minutes to be sure.

[Waffdon]

Andy Robertson and Kieran Tierney looking like non league players

[Spikey M]

Pre-Spreadsheet Ronaldo would have scored that.

[Giggles]

When we pass the ball you can just see the whole line move steadily backwards until Bazunu is under pressure.

[CJay]

We actually look better than I expected. Duffy from a set piece is our only hope of a goal, though.

[Don]

Not one player in that Irish attack can kick a ball, get Hourihane, McClean and the ghost of Robbie Brady on.

[Giggles]

Didn’t think I’d see O’Shea on his feet at all after how that looked.

[Dquincy]

1433130030788485121

[Giggles]

Get Hendrick off.

[Don]

Nevermind that, the lad can barely run at champ level defenders, he's fucking past it :D

[CJay]

Not one player in that Irish attack can kick a ball, get Hourihane, McClean and the ghost of Robbie Brady on.

It is worrying the lack of technical ability in the players coming through these days. Even when we were playing crap but relatively successful football under Trap we always had players who could control the ball and play a pass. Now there's absolutely nothing.

[Giggles]

It is worrying the lack of technical ability in the players coming through these days. Even when we were playing crap but relatively successful football under Trap we always had players who could control the ball and play a pass. Now there's absolutely nothing.

Decades of neglect has fully caught up.

[Giggles]

I know he hasn’t flowing locks and plays for Bournemouth (note: plays) but there’s no way Gavin Kilkenny wouldn’t be showing a bit more in there tonight. Even if he wasn’t, at least he’d be learning something for 2024 or 2026. Also, Elbouzedi.

[Giggles]

That’s a lovely flick.

[CJay]

That's some leap. We're donning this.

[Don]

Connolly man, rape some gyal in a club already so we don't have to be exposed to your shit in top-flight football.

[Giggles]

Whenever you see Connolly now you wonder what the fuck Spurs were at that day.

[Giggles]

Cullen looks like Belgium has been doing him good at least.

[Giggles]

Even though the inevitable defeat is coming, it’s nice to have the nerves this far into a game rather than the usual combination of despair and boredom. Been a long time.

[Kikó]

Ireland have looked great to this point but serious questions have to be asked about Portugal's back line. So easy to get in behind and turn, Ireland probably deserve to be 2-0 up.

[Giggles]

He’s a machine. Has had an absolute shitter and then bang.

[Kikó]

Nevermind that, the lad can barely run at champ level defenders, he's fucking past it :D

Assuming this was about Jota?

[Don]

Dribble in-field and away from defenders, pass it to RB and run into box for a header. Rinse and repeat. If AWB wasn't horseshit I could almost see him getting 10 open-play goals. One thing is for sure tho, him, Bruno and Pogba in 1 side is gonna be banter.

[Giggles]

There we go.

[-james-]

That is brutal.

[Kikó]

We will have to do our best to fit Ronaldo in.

[Giggles]

Shit happens. Enough of the young lads showed enough at least but only so long you can hold out.

[Kikó]

There were a few chances that Ireland should have taken such would have them the game. They were actually decent for long periods tonight which is encouraging.

[randomlegend]

Nevermind that, the lad can barely run at champ level defenders, he's fucking past it :D

You really are the gift that keeps on giving.

[Giggles]

I’d love to have seen Parrott come on instead of McClean and, as well as Idah did for a kid, that second half was made for McGoldrick. Such a pity he fucked off.

[Don]

Being blinded by 2 headed goals against Champ opposition is why you're keeping my money warm for me.

[Luca]

To be fair, putting away some scrappy headed goals against champ opposition would have served us really well last season to beat all those LOW BLOCKS.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Groups G and H are looking quite scenesy, although Group J is off its face obviously.

[Don]

Sancho has got that covered, playmaker-extraordinaire.

[Luca]

That he does, with Ronaldo applying the finish. :drool:

[Dquincy]

That he does, with Ronaldo applying the finish. :drool:

Keep dreaming. Sancho has looked no better than Luke Chadwick since he's made the step up into into Premier league.

[CJay]

Today's FIFATV offerings include:

14:00 DR Congo v Tanzania
14:00 Kenya v Uganda
17:00 Madagascar v Benin
17:00 Namibia v Congo
17:00 Niger v Burkina Faso

Consider them a warm up for Sancho taking on Hungary's low block tonight. If you're not watching Andorra - San Marino, that is.

We also have a site called OneFootball showing Asian qualifiers for free, apparently. Japan - Oman starting at the wonderfully precise time of 11:14.

https://onefootball.com/en/home

[Ian]

'Mon Doctor Congo.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It was nice to see Javier Clemente's Libya get a late winner last night, too.

[Yevrah]

Javier Clemente is managing Libya? :D

[Lofty]

Xhaka has covid.

[Spikey M]

Lol

[Raoul Duke]

Xhaka has covid.

Arsenal finally getting a lucky break :thbup:

Turns out he isn't vaccinated, which is of course, not a surprise

[Ian]

That's not uncommon among Premier League players, is it?

[Yevrah]

It's not uncommon amongst those in their 20s full stop I reckon.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Surely a Premier League club can require its players to get the Covid vaccine?

[Yevrah]

You'd think so and I'm staggered if they haven't been requiring that.

[Ian]

Do employers have any legal ability to force an employee to get a jab?

I assume not, would doubt there's anything of the sort written into a player's contract and what else are they going to do, sack them and let them go elsewhere for free?

[Don]

The issue is very few PL players are obese and/or soft shites who need to conform with their peers in order to make themselves feel better about themselves.

Oman beating Japan :drool: that One Football site above is truly spoiling us AFC mandem.

[randomlegend]

Yeah the only way it would work is if all clubs in the top leagues went in on it together.

For non football-club employers, there's already precedent for it so I don't understand why it's such a big thing (I am required to have a hepatitis B vaccine in order to work in the NHS, not sure exactly which NHS staff it applies to).

[Spikey M]

The issue is very few PL players are obese and/or soft shites who need to conform with their peers in order to make themselves feel better about themselves.



https://youtu.be/jA03jYyK-eM

[Pepe]

I am already forced to do A, so I do not see the problem in being forced to do B.

Later,

I am already forced to do B, so I do not see the problem in being forced to do C.

Later...

[randomlegend]

I am already forced to do A, so I do not see the problem in being forced to do B.

Later,

I am already forced to do B, so I do not see the problem in being forced to do C.

Later...

I wasn't "forced" to do anything. I was free to choose not to have a hep B jab, and the NHS would have then been free to not employ me.

[Don]

Semantics :drool:

Give him a yawn vid too, please.

[Spikey M]

I wasn't "forced" to do anything. I was free to choose not to have a hep B jab, and the NHS would have then been free to not employ me.

You care for sick people that need protecting from disease. Footballers kick balls around.

There are some careers where personal liberty is less important than the safety of the people you spend time with. Football is one of them, actually. Hence mandatory shinpads and certain types of tackle being against the rules. Mandatory vaccines though? Really? They're at practically no risk. Completely OTT.


https://youtu.be/9dimPg6-zcc

[Kikó]

Having players out with long covid seems an operational risk football teams would probably want to avoid when there is a lab-made vaccine available.

[niko_cee]

Probably not as much of an operational risk as having Xhaka on the pitch mind.

[Spikey M]

1433452997598646276?s=19

[Kikó]

Probably not as much of an operational risk as having Xhaka on the pitch mind.

Are you suggesting a shadowy cabal have deliberately infected Xhaka? Maybe they should have done it before the last game. :sherlock:

[Raoul Duke]

Banks, airlines and fricking Google are requiring their staff to get vaccinated so I don't see why it'd be different for football clubs. There's obviously just an overlapping Venn diagram of young/thick/egotistical which means players might be less inclined.

[Don]

'Banks, airlines and Google' :happycry:

[Giggles]

Everywhere should have.

[Waffdon]

I see Grealish is straight into the starting XI now he plays for Man City

[John Arne]

Holy shit, Vietnam have taken the lead away to Saudi Arabia #Scenes

https://gyazo.com/462e12c25434452d6e0a4f12d59a2b68.gif

[Ian]

Oh for fuck's sake I'd forgotten England are playing tonight.

[Yevrah]

I for one can't wait to see our scintillating brand of football again...

[Don]

Brazillian Elkeson is leading out China under the guise of Ai Kesen. And their starting CB Jiang Guangtai (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyias_Browning) is a familiar face. Buzzing to see their 2026 campaign spearheaded by Mai Son Jin Wood.

[Shindig]

I for one can't wait to see our scintillating brand of football again...

If we'd won a couple of months back, you'd still complain about it taking too long.

[Yevrah]

If we'd won a couple of months back, you'd still complain about it taking too long.

Complaining about what taking too long?

[Shindig]

Can you not read sentences?

[Spikey M]

It was a weird response to a post about boring football tbh shinners.

[Yevrah]

Not when they're as lame as the ones you type.

[Yevrah]

It was a weird response to a post about boring football tbh shinners.

It also makes no sense either, given that I've never complained about us taking too long to win something.

[Yevrah]

And I mean, this is utterly rancid so far, again.

[Danny]

Ronaldo has been given 7 at United.

[Don]

I'm not one to get involved in heated forum exchanges as you know but Shinners giving it the big one because someone's not got one of his cryptic messes of a post :D

[John Arne]

Harsh penalty and red card for Vietnam. Certainly hit's his arm, but not sure where else his arm could go in that situation, and it bounces off his leg too. Saudi 1-1 Vietnam

https://gyazo.com/557987e8995120aa2374d8cf7a5dc47a.gif

[Kikó]

Finally honoured like the greats, Beckham, Cantona, Owen, Di Maria, Valencia etc.

[Manc]

I understand how valuable his pace is, but Kyle Walker really is a brain dead footballer. Surely come Qatar James/Trent takes the starting spot.

[Kikó]

>> Ball games <<
A murky transfer window

With all the drama of transfer day, it can be hard to keep track of all the latest figures and deals flying around. One particular exec at a big club was clearly hoping to use this commotion to their advantage, but people have started to notice a curious eight-figure discrepancy bubbling up on the books.

At least three unlikely summer transfers are now under the microscope, including one in which the club ended up paying £20m more for a player than the selling club asked for – and it's not immediately clear where the remaining balance might have ended up.

As there doesn't seem to be a satisfactory answer forthcoming, we're told we can expect a big resignation (or "mutually agreed departure") to take place before too long.

:sherlock:

[Gray Fox]

Michael Edwards is going, but we signed Konate for about £34m. I'd say that's about fair.

[Bam]

Harry and Sam are unemployed.

[Spikey M]

>> Ball games <<
A murky transfer window

With all the drama of transfer day, it can be hard to keep track of all the latest figures and deals flying around. One particular exec at a big club was clearly hoping to use this commotion to their advantage, but people have started to notice a curious eight-figure discrepancy bubbling up on the books.

At least three unlikely summer transfers are now under the microscope, including one in which the club ended up paying £20m more for a player than the selling club asked for – and it's not immediately clear where the remaining balance might have ended up.

As there doesn't seem to be a satisfactory answer forthcoming, we're told we can expect a big resignation (or "mutually agreed departure") to take place before too long.

:sherlock:

Lukaku deal?

[Don]

Has to be the greasy Italian bloke at Tottenham if true. £47m for Romero and £25m for Emerson Royale?

[Don]

Ramsdale for £30m a close second.

[randomlegend]

Has to be the greasy Italian bloke at Tottenham if true. £47m for Romero and £25m for Emerson Royale?

Romero was £42.5m and Emerson £21m, both of which are completely reasonable fees.

[John Arne]

Wolves spunking all that cash for the shit Portuguese striker last season still stinks of something fishy.

[randomlegend]

Wolves spunking all that cash for the shit Portuguese striker last season still stinks of something fishy.

It was them doing Mendes a favour in exchange for him bringing them good Portuguese players.

[randomlegend]

That's awful from Kane.

[Yevrah]

That was a nice goal.

[Spikey M]

If you're hoping to skim transfer fees for personal gain you don't go and work for Daniel Levy ffs.

[Bernanke]

Get fucked Spain. :drool:

[Shindig]

We're dead good at qualifiers.

[Yevrah]

Credit where it's due, this second half has been good and enjoyable to watch.

[Spikey M]

Sterling :D

[Don]

Romero was £42.5m and Emerson £21m, both of which are completely reasonable fees.


It was them doing Mendes a favour in exchange for him bringing them good Portuguese players.

The authority :D absolutely drunk on reddit.

[Lewis]

City dodged a bullet here. Mason Greenwood starts in Qatar.

[Spikey M]

Fuck me. How many wasted chances now?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm watching Northern Ireland (obviously) and young McCann looks a player.

[Spikey M]

A player like George Best or a player like Callum Best?

[niko_cee]

I still remember Jimmy proclaiming Ben Woodburn to be the future of the sport after he scored that goal for Wales when he was very young.

I've no idea whether it was tongue in cheek or not, but it always stuck with me.

[Bam]

More like Clyde Best.

[Shindig]

85 minutes, first change. I really wish Southgate wouldn't do that. :D

[randomlegend]

The authority :D absolutely drunk on reddit.

Romero won defender of the season in Serie A last season. Emerson is a 22 year old full Brazil international. The fees are entirely unsurprising.

Mendes' dodgy dealings at Wolves are hardly a secret.

[Jimmy Floyd]

A player like George Best or a player like Callum Best?

Somewhere between George and Leon.

[Manc]

I enjoyed that. Lord only knows what Grealish will look like with a full year under Pep.

[niko_cee]

Shame he didn't sign for City before the Euros, might have got on the pitch a bit more.

[Bernanke]

First loss for Spain in WC qualifiers since -93. :drool:

[Shindig]

Italy held by Bulgaria too.

[Lewis]

I enjoyed that. Lord only knows what Grealish will look like with a full year under Pep.

https://i.imgur.com/7tribWB.png

[Spikey M]

:D

[Waffdon]

I'm watching Northern Ireland (obviously) and young McCann looks a player.

He is quality. St Johnstone sold their soul to the devil only getting £1.2m for him and 500k for their captain in the last few hours of the transfer window.

McCann was the best player on the pitch in the majority of their European games as well. Will probably be sold to Crystal Palace or something for £15m in a year or two

[Queenslander]

https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/socceroos-dispatch-china-spectacular-fashion

Solid start for Australia against China that Mabil bloke would look good in Celtic jersey.

[Dquincy]

Money spent in the last 5 seasons

Man Utd : 480million
Man City : 472million
Arsenal: 366million
Chelsea : 238million
Liverpool : 158million

Trophies won in the last 5 seasons:

Manchester city - 10
Liverpool - 4
Chelsea - 4
Arsenal - 3
Man Utd - 0

Let that settle in.

[phonics]

Great stat that factors in the 150 million we spent in a season that has had 2 games…

[Baz]

Which game are you pretending didn’t happen?

[phonics]

Sorry for making a typo.

[phonics]

I’ll never understand these banter stats. Would people be saying the things they do about Arsenal if they swapped positions with United? It’s just nonsense.

[Baz]

United are more of a shambles than Arsenal, in my opinion.

[Kikó]

Are we not doing net spend anymore?

[phonics]

Are we not doing net spend anymore?

Sadly Barcelona being an absolute mess actually makes that stat look better for Liverpool.

What an absolute joke that transfer.

[SvN]

It's wrong anyway. It's only been four years since we won the Europa League.

[Dquincy]

Look, I didn't verify it lads. And for what it's worth, I agree with curly that these twitter 'banter' stats are mostly complete bollocks.

[phonics]

Edus done some interview. Don’t care but there’s a graphic half way through. The average age of the Burnley squad is over 30…

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11670/12398180/edu-exclusive-interview-arsenal-transfer-policy-his-technical-director-role-and-mikel-arteta-discussed

[Spikey M]

Look, I didn't verify it lads. And for what it's worth, I agree with curly that these twitter 'banter' stats are mostly complete bollocks.

I know, I saw one that said Arsenal are bottom of the league, with zero wins and zero league goals. Total bollocks.

Probably made up by some Spurs fan that thinks they're top of the league with a 100% win record. :harold:

[Dquincy]

Channeling my inner RL...rumour on the street is that Leno will leave Arsenal for free when his contract expires next summer.

They are a mess.

[SincereTheRebel]

Look, I didn't verify it lads. And for what it's worth, I agree with curly that these twitter 'banter' stats are mostly complete bollocks.

100%

Man City have only lost once on the first tuesday in December since 1933. Go fuck yourself.

[phonics]

Italy haven’t lost a home game since before Moise Keane was born.

[Mellberg]

Seems a good time to pass on my thanks again for Martinez.

[Giggles]

I wish I had a mute button that worked on just Ray Houghton.

[Mellberg]

The current Bottom Ireland are the worst home nations team I've ever seen. Which is some going considering the shit we've all served up over the years. They have absolutely nothing in any position, bar maybe centre half.

[Giggles]

We’re not a ‘home nations’ team for a start you poorly educated swine.

[Mellberg]

I consider Bottom Ireland to be part of the crew.

[Giggles]

You’re wrong though. Free of tyranny for a hundred years and counting.

[Mellberg]

Should've built a big wall around the place rather than spending that time mingling with the oppressor.

[Giggles]

Definitely.

Insults don’t come any bigger than calling us British.

[Lewis]

Cathghanistan.

[Giggles]

Are loads of players injured or is there some other reason Martial actually gets a game for France?

[Mellberg]

Cathghanistan.

Just spent a minute trying to explain this to the missus having laughed. Wasn't worth it.

No idea what Deschamps is playing at. Martial is an absolute waste of talent and time.

[Giggles]

That was some lasher of a finish.

[Lewis]

1434260710729691145

That is a lot less than I assumed they raised, which makes me think that you could raise far more money just auctioning the spots 'celebrities' take up to rich Arabs and the like.

[Don]

If they raised more money but no one tuned in to try and restore that tax-dodging cunt's public reputation, does it make a sound?

[Bam]

Should've built a big wall around the place rather than spending that time mingling with the oppressor.

And filled it with water.

[Giggles]

Thanks Jimmy Price.

[Spikey M]

1434524875864084480?s=19

5 at the back at home to Andorra. :happycry:

[Gray Fox]

Rumour has it, that it's a 4-3-3 with Trent and Bellingham in front of Henderson in midfield.

[SvN]

Is that 3 right backs?

[Spikey M]

I'm not sure that's any better. We have midfielders in the squad. Why are we playing a right back there? And why are we playing 3 right backs?

I know it's a throw away game, but still...

[Jimmy Floyd]

Andorra will be high in confidence coming off a 2-0 win, we can't take them lightly. Need to be solid first and foremost.

Also they normally play at Pyreneean altitude so should have a fitness advantage.

[phonics]

Looks like a 4-2-4 to me. Basically playing with 2 wingers on either side.

[-james-]

I love that line-up. Completely batshit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Rumour has it, that it's a 4-3-3 with Trent and Bellingham in front of Henderson in midfield.

That's what Soccerway has it as.

[Spikey M]

I love that line-up. Completely batshit.

I like that they took the time to group the right backs together in the lineup.

[Waffdon]

1434524875864084480?s=19

5 at the back at home to Andorra. :happycry:

3/5 at the back isn’t always defensive.

[Giggles]

Paddy B. Another one of may we should have capped when he was shit.

[randomlegend]

That line-up is rancid.

[Waffdon]

Paddy B. Another one of may we should have capped when he was shit.

He said he didn’t want to play for Ireland as would feel bad taking a place from someone who is actually Irish. Said it in an interview the other day

[Lewis]

Good for him. People who play for any old international side they're eligible for should be de-registered.

[Giggles]

He said he didn’t want to play for Ireland as would feel bad taking a place from someone who is actually Irish. Said it in an interview the other day

Yeah that’s now. But it they’d offered him a cap 5 or 6 years ago when he was dirt then he’d suddenly have felt ‘Irish’ and be locked in like the likes of Arter, McGoldrick, Christie, etc. Should have done it in time with Rice and Kane too.

[Giggles]

Good for him. People who play for any old international side they're eligible for should be de-registered.

I think so too and the rules should be changed so players aren’t as easily eligible, the granny rule especially is a joke, but so many are playing that game now that there should be a definite move towards locking in players based on scouting.

If I had my way then every international player should have to make their mind up by the U19’s and only play for someone else if both parents are from there.

[Spikey M]

Do Russia still have Brazilians that they managed to register somehow?

[Offshore Toon]

Ronaldo better slap that little geek for copying his celebration.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's miles offside there but that's a class chip.

[Lewis]

I thought Declan Rice at least had Irish parents, since he looks Irish, but lol it's one set of grandparents. He's as Irish as Ryan Giggs is black. Turning out for them suggests a lack of confidence in his own abilities, so we ought to drop the coward going forward.

[Giggles]

I thought Declan Rice at least had Irish parents, since he looks Irish, but lol it's one set of grandparents. He's as Irish as Ryan Giggs is black. Turning out for them suggests a lack of confidence in his own abilities, so we ought to drop the coward going forward.

After 30 seconds of listening to him talk you know there’s not an Irish bone in his body (and I don’t just mean the sickening innits), but he still should have been tied in while they could for the lols. It’s a bit like Josh Cullens haircut; plays for Ireland, lives in Belgium, looks like Bam. English to the bone.

[Waffdon]

He loves the IRA though. Great guy.

[Baz]

Giggles Walsh, he’s in the ‘RA.

[Giggles]

Giggles Walsh, he’s in the ‘RA.

He meant Decco.

[Lewis]

You could just about wrap your head around it if his grandparents were particularly influential in his life to the point where he could convince himself he had some cultural ties to Ireland, like people who play for Scotland/Wales because their dad from there forced them to, but this David McGoldrick getting in on a blood test come on mate you can't need the money that much.

[Bernanke]

What has happened to Iceland. :(

[Spikey M]

Americans probably think Citizenship rules should go back to the 1700's.

[Giggles]

You could just about wrap your head around it if his grandparents were particularly influential in his life to the point where he could convince himself he had some cultural ties to Ireland, like people who play for Scotland/Wales because their dad from there forced them to, but this David McGoldrick getting in on a blood test come on mate you can't need the money that much.

Tidy player for us and we could really fucking do with him now, but he should never ever have been allowed to pull on a jersey.

[Giggles]

Americans probably think Citizenship rules should go back to the 1700's.

They seem to think so based on the amount of cunts have told me they’re Irish (and asked me if I know someone who’s pushing up daisies) because they traced a tree back to the 1800’s.

[Giggles]

:drool:

1434561529374982149

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That miss :lol:

[Lewis]

You still missed that penalty son.

[Spikey M]

1434595723509645315?s=19

:lol:

Brazil of all places. :happycry: (I appreciate they're probably only doing it because it's Argentina)

[phonics]

I like how they say it’s because they lied about being in the UK like they weren’t on TV last week.

Their president has had COVID more times than the Argentina team combined.

[niko_cee]

Wait, Brazil require UK arrivals to isolate/quarantine for 14 days but they were pissing and moaning about not having premier league players released to them? Doesn't that sort of undermine their position?

[Gray Fox]

Yeah but they don't care about them missing club games.

Put the players in a tough spot.

[phonics]

Wait, Brazil require UK arrivals to isolate/quarantine for 14 days but they were pissing and moaning about not having premier league players released to them? Doesn't that sort of undermine their position?

The Brazilian players are fine. It’s the Argentinians that are the issue.

[Giggles]

Did they post an Instagram of the 4 of them lolling into Brazil on a private jet? Not exactly doing much for the thick footballer stereotype if they did.

[phonics]

Giggles I think the fact that they were playing a televised match in the Premier League last week might have given the game away.

[Giggles]

I don’t know who they play for or when they played. I just like seeing the drama.

[Lewis]

I think Argentina need to be kicked out of the World Cup for this. They've put the entire competition in jeopardy.

[Spikey M]

I don’t know who they play for or when they played. I just like seeing the drama.

Lo Celso, Romero (both Spurs) and Martinez (Aston Villa).

But either way, we're talking premier league players here. It can't be a surprise to them that they have been in the UK.

[Gray Fox]

Lock the cunts up. Just because they're footballers doesn't mean the rules don't apply.

Also like the banning Argentina idea.

[Spikey M]

Lock the cunts up. Just because they're footballers doesn't mean the rules don't apply.

Also like the banning Argentina idea.

:harold:

[Gray Fox]

:harold:

I've not taken being beaten by Mahow well.

[niko_cee]

The Brazilian players are fine. It’s the Argentinians that are the issue.

So you can arrive in Brazil from the UK [or have been in the UK during the previous 14 days] to play football for Brazil and that's fine, but if you do the same to player for Argentina it's not?

[Giggles]

If them’s the rules then them’s then the rules.

[niko_cee]

Seems a foolproof gambit and I'm not sure why other countries haven't been outlawing people from playing football against their national side.

Certainly something for your mob to think about.

[phonics]

So you can arrive in Brazil from the UK [or have been in the UK during the previous 14 days] to play football for Brazil and that's fine, but if you do the same to player for Argentina it's not?

All the English players told Brazil to get to fuck but the Argies didn’t.

[niko_cee]

All the English players told Brazil to get to fuck but the Argies didn’t.

Aye, this is what I thought. Then thought there was something more daft at play than mere pettiness.

My original point was that the Brazilian FA can't really complain about clubs not releasing players who wouldn't have been able to play for the national team anyway, but I guess they could then roll out the lol wot well they could have played in the away games defence.

[niko_cee]

Meanwhile Guinea have upped the ante by staging a coup to get a game called off.

[Spikey M]

I've not taken being beaten by Mahow well.

Understandable. We will get him early in Offy's version. Always kill Mahow first. Trust the process. :console:

[Shindig]

I can't be shocked by that. Although they usually time it around the African Cup of Nations.

[Spikey M]

1434629190289068035?s=19

:drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Brazilian nationals are exempt from quarantining apparently.

[phonics]

No they’re not and also it’s training not an international match where Brazil can lose.

[Lewis]

Meanwhile Guinea have upped the ante by staging a coup to get a game called off.

1434518734534635520

The coup d'swag.

[Giggles]

Seems a foolproof gambit and I'm not sure why other countries haven't been outlawing people from playing football against their national side.

Certainly something for your mob to think about.

And they call us obsessed :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Argentina should be awarded that match. If Brazil let them in the airport in the first place, that's their problem, not football's problem.

[Yevrah]

Indeed. Ridiculous behaviour.

[Spikey M]

Spurs are now missing 2 of their centre backs for the next 2/3 games as Sanchez he went to a red list country too. :harold:

[Foe]

Is the point not that were allowed in but need to isolate, which they didn’t do, because they lied on the forms.

Whether or not it was done for shithouse reasons, you lie on an entry form to a country to avoid following the laws/rules of the land, then they have every right to impose their authority.

If a non footballer said “aye mate, I’m just here for a weekend with my pals and I’ll be leaving on Monday anyway so I’m not isolating” that wouldn’t work, nor would telling the authorities “gimme a couple of hours to smash out this pub crawl and then I’ll leave”.

Nah. If they’re weren’t supposed to be there and tried to circumvent the rules then they deserve to get chucked out. Argentina could’ve fielded a team without them. They chose to lie and bring them along.

Laws of the land trumps sport.

[Spikey M]

They're now having to isolate back here and have been fined by their clubs. Idiots.

Brazil remain a shambles. It should have been picked up at the airport or - failing that - at any point before they were on the fucking pitch. It was done for effect.

[Spikey M]

This is a fun read:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58468085