February Football: The (Not A) Ho Chi Minh Special

[Ian]

V.League season starts this week.

So far my club have not released new jerseys, sold any season tickets, or even bothered announcing the fixtures.

At the end of last season, we released 80% of our first team players, and have since replaced them with players from the second division.

We are getting relegated.

Looking forward to Ian's preview in the Feb football thread.

Sorry JA, I was gonna do something about Ho Chi Minh but there is perhaps unsurprisingly not a huge amount to be found online (in English at least, based on my Googling) about their current travails.

Anyway, it's February, and the proceedings start off with gallant little Manchester United's crusade to thwart the evil Saudi-funded Newcastle in the Worthington Cup and then on Friday we get to see Chelsea try and fit their 372 new players into the one team and then later in the month the return of European football too.

[7om]

Genuinely can’t wait to see how Sean Dyche’s 442 Brexit ball works out at Everton. I think he’ll do well with them.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Tony Marshall :cool:

[Lewis]

Given the way that the fixtures are piling up, this is too strong a team for a second leg when you are already 3-0 up.

[Ian]

Yeah I thought it was too strong a starting eleven and I certainly wouldn't have brought Rashford on with the game still 3-0.

[Don]

Andre Ayew back in the prem? Fuck off :D

This "16 year old" fuck is gonna end the sport.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fn6gBkzWIAI6ZGg?format=jpg&name=large

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's banging on FM too.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Get your Warren Zaire-Emery name: the name of the second most senior person in the accounts department at your company, the name of your favourite defunct nation state, and the manager who won the UEFA Cup the year you were born.

[Kikó]

Gordon Rhodesia-Bengtsson.

[Disco]

Kiko being a Rhodesia guy would be some turn up.

Martin Central African Republic Kessler.

[Ian]

Well the second part of my double-barrelled surname would be Molowny who I've never heard of before now.

[niko_cee]

Something Something-Robson for me.

According to wiki England (927–1707) is a former/defunct nation state.

[Ben]

Kristina Soviet-Zoff :cool:

[Kikó]

Mason Greenwood charges dropped. Hope we can sell him rapidly.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Awkward legal position for United, he's technically done nothing wrong (presumably) but there is nevertheless audio of him basically commanding a woman to have sex with him.

I'm sure the Saudis will take him.

[John Arne]

What is the difference between the charges levelled at Greenwood versus Partey? Partey seems to be getting on with things as if nothing has happened.

[Don]

It's a shame his outing as a shite footballer will be put down to this and not on the fact he's shite.

[Waffdon]

There’s video evidence and audio of him abusing her lol. Even with the charges dropped he still hits woman.

[Kikó]

What is the difference between the charges levelled at Greenwood versus Partey? Partey seems to be getting on with things as if nothing has happened.

Partey hasn't been charged.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hopefully we just terminate the cunt's contract.

[Lewis]

I'm not sure that they could without paying him off, which they won't want to do. Did the woman he filled in take a bribe, or has the daft bint got back with him?

[Lofty]

Partey hasn't been charged.
Has he not? His bail has been extended until July.

[SincereTheRebel]

There’s video evidence and audio of him abusing her lol. Even with the charges dropped he still hits woman.

Sounds like some kink

[Waffdon]

Aubameyang left out the CL squad :lol:

Potter must hate him. They could have just unregistered their 3rd choice keeper and put a Dev Squad ‘keeper on the ‘B’ list.

[Jimmy Floyd]

From how Potter's used him, I would guess he has a terrible attitude.

[Waffdon]

Another dreadful Thomas Tuchel signing.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Badiashile, Andrey Santos, Fofana, Malo Gusto and Noni Madueke also left out.

Edit: I hadn't seen that Gusto went back to Lyon on loan.

[Don]

Don't those BLM kids not need registering or something due to their age/BLM-ness?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They need to have been at the club for 2 years.

[Don]

Badiashile seems a surprise decision then. Such a clusterfuck of a squad, if it leads to Potter getting fired before Xmas it'll be a shame.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Badiashile has looked good from the limited games so far, so I imagine that one just had to miss out somewhere and they think we're more likely to beat Dortmund by throwing attackers at it and playing Chalobah.

Will be interesting to see how we go tonight.

[Ben]

Definitely should be Badiashile over Felix.

[Waffdon]

Felix should definitely be in there. They chose the right 3 players. Koulibaly is much more suited to European football so him/fofana/Chalobah fighting it out to play with Silva makes sense.

Mudryk, Fernandez and James all starting :drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Enzo straight in is bold, but I guess there isn't anyone else unless you moved Mount back.

We're going to be very vulnerable at the back, can see it being 3-2 either way.

[Waffdon]

He needs to start. Not sure James does though. Last time he was out he got injured after being thrown straight back in

[Jimmy Floyd]

Listening to Howard Webb be very articulate and logical on Sky here, and seeing football twitter seethe in real time as he talks, makes me think: it's about class, isn't it? Always is, in this country. The football referee is (traditionally, currently or both) the only chance most working class people have to vent their frustrations into the face of an authority figure without censure. I don't think people, deep down, even want referees to get it right. They need them to be wrong.

Of course rugby - a recreation, not an outlet for the workers - makes a show of respecting its officials.

[Ian]

What is causing football twitter to seethe about Howard Webb?

Secondary question, but why are you reading Football Twitter when you could be doing something more engaging like, say, stamping on an upturned plug?

[Jimmy Floyd]

What is causing football twitter to seethe about Howard Webb?

Secondary question, but why are you reading Football Twitter when you could be doing something more engaging like, say, stamping on an upturned plug?

Because I was curious for a broad-ish public take on what Howard Webb was saying. It's a glitch in my personality.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea’s average age minus Silva can’t be much over 23.

[Ian]

What was he saying, out of interest? The only referee I'm used to on telly is Peter Walton waiting to see what VAR says then going "Yeah they've got that right, for me."

[Jimmy Floyd]

What was he saying, out of interest? The only referee I'm used to on telly is Peter Walton waiting to see what VAR says then going "Yeah they've got that right, for me."

He was explaining what VAR was for and going through various recent instances and whether they got them right or wrong. I thought it was almost Mick Lynch-esque in its simplicity and an example of good communication of a quite complex issue, but football twitter thought him a CLOWN who lacks CONSISTENCY and that Man Utd winning recently is a direct result of him being the head of referees.

[Ian]

Interesting, my look that up if it goes online. Would you say you agreed with him on VAR or just that he spoke very well? (Or a bit of both.)

[Kikó]

It's good that Howard has been given the night off by Erik.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not sure who has the worse tattoos out of Mudryk and Fernandez. Real close-fought battle.

[Foe]

Similar to Jim I listened to Howard Webb and was refreshed with someone talking sense.

Trying to take football back towards what people expect it to be and trying to make the referees more aware of the shithousery that’s happening so they nip it in the bud.

Clearly I’m not aligned with Twitter GP either, which is encouraging.

[Kikó]

Tomorrow I'm entertaining myself with the Eintracht Frankfurt/Hertha Berlin fixture. Must win for Frankfurt if they want Champions League football while the latter are in drop trouble at the bottom.

[Waffdon]

Mount/Gallagher have no right to ever play in a midfield 3. Leave the midfield so open.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jorginho to Fernandez is an unbelievably massive upgrade, based on these 25 minutes.

Still haven't solved the problem that our centre forward is not a centre forward and he's about as good back to goal as I am.

[Ian]

67% possession for one shot. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was special from Ziyech.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Our worst player, and this is almost always the case when he plays, is Cucurella. Not a prayer getting Mudryk into the game if he's his wingman.

[Waffdon]

Fernandez looking like a don. Can’t wait for him to have Kante or whoever they sign in the summer next to him.

Get big Chuk on.

[Gray Fox]

Fulham the better team so far, all of their joy behind the Spaniard who hates defending. No idea why Willian isn't shooting on the big chance.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'd say we need Sterling and Chilwell on if they're anywhere close to being fit. Fernandez looks streets ahead of everyone already.

[Waffdon]

Not sure Madueke on the left makes sense when he is primarily off the other side.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not sure Mudryk was the issue on that flank, Graham.

Fucking Graham. At least be called Robin or something.

[Waffdon]

The biggest issue was Mount standing in his space throughout and he’s doing it again. He’s just utterly pointless.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm surprised Palhinha hasn't had some red cards if this game is representative, spends the whole time just diving in on people.

[Waffdon]

Watching Gallagher and Mount in midfield for the next few weeks is going to be a painful experience. Should be playing for Crystal Palace and West Ham.

[Lewis]

How is the Chelsea squad so fifth in the league after all this money raining on it?

[Kikó]

Gallagher just strikes me as a player who you'd see at Everton.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Because in true American style they're buying to win in four years' time, not now.

Not sure why Gallagher is on corners, hasn't got one airborne yet.

[niko_cee]

From that first half showing I'm going to take a punt on Mudryk still being on the books in 8 years time.

[Lewis]

With five progressively worse loan spells under his belt.

[Waffdon]

Have a shot every time a corner hits the front man

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's a very hard watch, this, in the middle of a season. Against a team who offer nothing other than determined midfield jostling, we're just slow and disjointed and probably will be for the next 30-60 games. Can see several 0-0s in a row coming up.

[Waffdon]

Potter is on fraud watch. He doesn’t ever change anything. Just like for like changes every time.

[Ben]

Kenny Tete man of the match. Pretty pathetic from Chelsea to allow that. Toothless.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We won't score for several weeks yet. Created a bit second half but didn't strike a shot with power on a single occasion. Also missed two open goals.

Thiago Silva, Badiashile and Kepa were good.

[Kikó]

I think a handful more signings for Chelsea and they will be set

[Waffdon]

He’s had two weeks with all his players minus Fernandez and he’s not changed anything.

Fofana should be starting ahead of Havertz, at least he isn’t blown over by the wind

[thommo]

Palhinha still the best midfielder in every game he plays. Absolutely class again tonight. Genuinely can't believe he's playing for Fulham.

[randomlegend]

Just an actual striker and their first 11 suddenly looks pretty good. Spending a billion quid or whatever and still starting Havertz/Felix as your centre forward is fucking tragic.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Havertz actually started looking useful once he was off the front. Madueke looks like a left footed Albert Adomah crossed with a Hackney mum on the school run. Fofana looks like a clumsier version of Dieumerci Mbokani.

[randomlegend]

Havertz actually started looking useful once he was off the front.

Yeah, because he's a really good player. Felix is also good. They just both play a position that basically doesn't exist in football any more unless you're Bruno Fernandes. So instead they get plonked up front and are useless.

[niko_cee]

The long barren runs without a goal are a bit of a G Potter trademark at this time of year.

[thommo]

It's a very hard watch, this, in the middle of a season. Against a team who offer nothing other than determined midfield jostling, we're just slow and disjointed and probably will be for the next 30-60 games. Can see several 0-0s in a row coming up.

Also this is a remarkable take. I think for about 65 minutes, we looked the most likely to score. We've scored 10 more league goals this season, it's more a Chelsea issue than who you play against.

[Jimmy Floyd]

A side note - the way Potter used his squad during that game (James off bang on the hour, Chilwell only on for five minutes, Mudryk off at H/T) suggested to me that he is basically using the next few games as a glorified pre-season, which in turn suggests that he is 100% supported by the ownership.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Also this is a remarkable take. I think for about 65 minutes, we looked the most likely to score. We've scored 10 more league goals this season, it's more a Chelsea issue than who you play against.

I think you played exactly as I described in this game - worked hard but bore little to no threat (De Cordova-Reid wasted a lot of great situations gifted to him by Cucurella), which is why it was frustrating that we (with all the ball) did nothing. In the reverse fixture it was different as you were just better bar a 15 minute spell.

[phonics]

It's petty but I really have enjoyed watching Chelsea descend into late Wenger-era mediocrity over the past few years. Waff is going to come in, get triggered and say 'Come back to me when Arsenal win the UCL; (and he will refer to it like that because he is the forums equivalent to the Chelsea Twitter user) but let's face it, COVID titles don't count.

edit: Turns out I got my years wrong and technically they still won a more real won than the actual COVID year but my larger point still applies.

[thommo]

I think you played exactly as I described in this game - worked hard but bore little to no threat (De Cordova-Reid wasted a lot of great situations gifted to him by Cucurella), which is why it was frustrating that we (with all the ball) did nothing. In the reverse fixture it was different as you were just better bar a 15 minute spell.

A fair point, we wasted some opportunities with a poor final ball. But I think overall we offered more than jostling. Of course it's natural for us to sit off more away from home and allow you to take possession but we were fairly good at winning the ball high to create half-chances, especially in the first half.

[Waffdon]

It's petty but I really have enjoyed watching Chelsea descend into late Wenger-era mediocrity over the past few years. Waff is going to come in, get triggered and say 'Come back to me when Arsenal win the UCL; (and he will refer to it like that because he is the forums equivalent to the Chelsea Twitter user) but let's face it, COVID titles don't count.

edit: Turns out I got my years wrong and technically they still won a more real won than the actual COVID year but my larger point still applies.

I’ve seen your Twitter mate. A pathetic mess.

[phonics]

I’ve seen your Twitter mate. A pathetic mess.

Much like Chelsea these days then, eh. :henn0rz:

Meanwhile I was checking the WBA match report as my Dads there and this sentence infuriated me.


The hosts then finally went in front on 15 minutes when, from Darnell Furlong's towel-assisted long throw, Wallace flicked on - and Diangana materialised on the line for his first goal of 2023.

FINALLY went in front on 15 minutes?

It's like when Bryan Robson said that they were in charge of a game before the goal went in after 4 minutes.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We've basically been crap since Michael Emenalo left.

[phonics]

Who knew Peter Kenyon was the real brains behind the operation.

[wullie]

The way West Brom were going at us it's probably fair use to be honest, I was amazed both that it took them that long and that it was the only goal of the game.

[Don]

Buzzing to see the Everton game tomorrow and what Dyche has up his sleeve.

Not sure what Everton fans' views on Iwobi are but I recall a period in which the gammonati pundits were praising his performances at CM and [their prodigal son] Lamps' trust in him. Lol if he thinks he's getting a look-in at CM any more. Probably been getting racist banter about his mophead to slowly give him the hint.

[phonics]

If I remember correctly. Sean Dyche's record vs Arsenal is 1 win, 3 draws and 12 losses.

[Lofty]

It's the cursed early kick off slot so Everton probably smash Arsenal 3-0 for lols like when they were on a comically bad run the other season and somehow pulled 3 points out of the bag at Goodison when playing Arsenal. On paper though Dyche is apparently getting the lads running bleep tests so that shouldn't be much of a turnaround yet.

[niko_cee]

They just both play a position that basically doesn't exist in football any more unless you're Bruno Fernandes. So instead they get plonked up front and are useless.

Surprised this escaped without a :happycry:

I still maintain Havertz could be good through the middle if there was any goal threat from either of the forwards either side of him, which Chelsea haven't had for years, and still don't.

[Baz]

Buzzing to see the Everton game tomorrow and what Dyche has up his sleeve.

Same, actually. It’s landed on a great day for me personally, which helps.

If Everton somehow win, I’m going for a long walk with Nicola Bulley until well after the Liverpool game.

[Shindig]

She'll be in the Bahamas by now.

[Lofty]

Arsenal haven't won at Goodison since 2017.

[niko_cee]

Used to wreck them there regularly [I recall an Eduardo inspired 6-1 or something] although I can see Everton shithousing a point today if they get a bit of luck.

[Waffdon]

Saka is an embarrassment at least once a game. Him and Rashford made of the same stuff.

[Waffdon]

Demarai Gray to come on in the 2nd half and score the winner. I’ll be there.

[Lofty]

Saka is an embarrassment at least once a game. Him and Rashford made of the same stuff.

Yes what a shithouse he is getting eye gouged by Gueye. Who then did it to someone else after.

[Don]

The instantaneous improvement once fat greasy Frankie got told to fuck off :drool:

[Waffdon]

Of course it’s the two Burnley boys being involved in the goal :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Arsenal have been so shit.

[phonics]

Is there a bigger cunt in football than Maupay.

[Waffdon]

Zinchenko is very easy to wind up.

[Waffdon]

Arsenal’s title charge over :drool:

Chelsea getting £12m for Jorginho will be the best bit of transfer business they do. He cannot do it in the PL.

[Lewis]

Has anyone ever done the statistics on the New Manager Bounce?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jorginho's last 11 league finishes:

3rd
4th
4th
3rd
2nd
3rd
2nd
5th
3rd
2nd
4th

Godspeed, lads.

[Don]

Arsenal’s title charge over :drool:

Chelsea getting £12m for Jorginho will be the best bit of transfer business they do. He cannot do it in the PL.

The best part of it is how it eases Chelsea's squad morale issues too.

These fucks really thought they could push Man City with Nketiah-Odegaard axis of shite as their attack. Get the fuck outta here.

[Gray Fox]

Glad to see Nunez back in the team. Could teach Salah a thing or two about showing some desire.

I'd be confident of a result here, but then I see Goe Jomez right in the heart of defence and adjust expectations to just please at least score first. Fabinho also seems to have been taken out back and been shot in midweek.

[Ben]

The demise of Fabinho really is exceptional. I’d fancy Wolves to do over Liverpool here but their inability to score will cost them.

[Gray Fox]

There was a piece the other day showing the minutes he has played, both in recent years and career wise. He's already played more games than an average retiring 35 year old would have.

He also hasn't had much in the way of a break at the end of a season for 3-4 years, owing to shortened seasons and international competitions.


More interestingly was Klopp saying that he got our pre-season preparation wrong and feels like we've been paying for it since.

[-james-]

Has anyone ever done the statistics on the New Manager Bounce?

I'm not sure if you're taking the piss but iirc it's a small effect and mostly regression to the mean. Manager gets sacked after unusually poor run of results, inevitable bounce that would likely have happened anyway.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

There was a piece the other day showing the minutes he has played, both in recent years and career wise. He's already played more games than an average retiring 35 year old would have.

He also hasn't had much in the way of a break at the end of a season for 3-4 years, owing to shortened seasons and international competitions.


More interestingly was Klopp saying that he got our pre-season preparation wrong and feels like we've been paying for it since.

Wasn't able to secure enough PEDs.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, and they usually fix it so the new guy gets a few games against hopeless shite to kick things off.

[Don]

When did Leicester get that Lyon lad? His numbers look dangerous.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Liverpool :lol:

[John Arne]

We are so bad :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You alright Don?

[Gray Fox]

I don't even know any more.

[Baz]

If Everton somehow win, I’m going for a long walk with Nicola Bulley until well after the Liverpool game.Cya

[Shindig]

At least it implies you're coming back.

[randomlegend]

We've been good but really could've done with another goal before half-time.

[Gray Fox]

Didn't concede in 30 whole minutes. :cool:

[Shindig]

Can Rashford go back to being sad about injustice, please?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Casemiro choking out Will Hughes :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FoItdWvWQAAPSy5?format=jpg

:lol:

[Waffdon]

Conceding 3 to wolves is some effort

[Lewis]

Casemongro. Nothing wrong with that.

[Baz]

Liverpool have nobody to score goals anymore. Salah is trash, the new lads are gash, and the centre mids seem to have a bet on the number of throw-ins.

[Gray Fox]

We want 4, we want 4, we want 4.

[Shindig]

Casemiro missing the final. Nice.

[Luca]

Don’t think so. We have Leeds x2 and Leicester before the final.

[Danny]

Casemiro fresh for the final. Nice.

[Shindig]

Well, bollocks. Unless the attempted murder gets him an extra ban.

[Lewis]

United have the two best centre-backs in the league. FACT.

[Magic]

Don’t think so. We have Leeds x2 and Leicester before the final.

:drool:

[Shindig]

Eddie Howe's favourite XI's going to wind up with 40+ appearances each, at this rate.

Absolutely pissing it. :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Newcastle have started strongly.

[niko_cee]

Mitoma at it again.

:cool:

[Shindig]

Funny how a concussed centre-back can throw your defence through a loop.

[Offshore Toon]

Gordon looked quite good actually.

[Shindig]

Yeah, that was a pleasant surprise.

[Don]

Timed it nicely to do a deep clean of my new gaff today so had my head in a toilet cleaning some next man's shit during the first half and was driving during the 2nd half. MOTD is enough to see there's no mystery to this madness.

https://img.a.transfermarkt.technology/portrait/big/256178-1595946530.jpg?lm=1

If the VVD and Ibou injuries continue, the geezer could well threaten Klopp's job.

[randomlegend]

I knew about the hand to wipe your arse thing, but I didn't realise you guys use your heads to clean the toilet.

[randomlegend]

https://i.redd.it/axsfvwei3dga1.jpg

Lol

[Ben]

That’s a great goal.

[Don]

Real in the mud, mon our injuries clearing up :drool:

[Ben]

Idiots wasting Camavinga at left back.

[Alex]

I've tried to maintain (and feel like I largely have) a level of patience with Marsch at Leeds. And I certainly don't bear him any ill will, I can't fault his enthusiasm or his commitment and he seems like a nice bloke. But I think it's time for a change now. It's just not going anywhere I'm afraid.

[niko_cee]

Bielsa back?

I try not to watch too much of them, but whenever I do this City side looks a bit wank.

[igor_balis]

I feel like pep just gets bored and starts doing wacky stuff that makes his teams objectively worse at times

[Lofty]

There was a conspiracy theory the owners were buying players like Grealish and Haaland to increase club popularity rather than fit the system, looks like it could be a factor.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I could see Pep wanting Grealish, but never in a million years Haaland. He's the antithesis of everything Guardiola has stood for his whole career.

[Kikó]

Haaland reminds me of the Zlatan at Barcelona signing. Completely the wrong type of player for what he likes. I think Grealish is a bit of a weird one but he seems to be shackling him well into his style.

City seem to have half a new team as well and the existing players look pretty flat/fed up.

[niko_cee]

Their defence has gone to shit personnel wise. Ake, Akanji and Lewis getting regular game time is nothing like what they were putting out last season.

I reckon they're also feeling the effects of such a bruising few years [also impacting Liverpool far worse] and the condensed/disjointed season also doesn't suit either teams' high energy style [note they were both way off their best in the no-fans post covid season, even if City did win the league].

[Ben]

Milan are dreadful.

[-james-]

Milan are dreadful.

I caught the line-ups for the derby at the pub and was struck by how shite they both were. How many of the 22 would get a game for anyone in the premier league? Maybe three or four?

[Gray Fox]

Barella and Lautauro for Inter would, as for Milan you're really looking at Hernandez and Leao. Maybe Tonali too.

[randomlegend]

I caught the line-ups for the derby at the pub and was struck by how shite they both were. How many of the 22 would get a game for anyone in the premier league? Maybe three or four?

They have the highest market value in Serie A on transfermarkt, mate.

[Lofty]

Kalvin Phillips was another flavour of the month buy for them. Grealish is coming along a bit now but as said he has had to learn to play quite differently to the way that earned him his £100m price tag.

[Gray Fox]

Liverpool(and unfortunately United) gaining an extra title this season is exactly how it was supposed to go, right?

[niko_cee]

:happycry:

We'll have two thanks.

Expunge the records! Prepare the buses!

[Ben]

As always, a financial breach will be punished with a fine.

[Spikey M]

Kalvin Phillips was another flavour of the month buy for them. Grealish is coming along a bit now but as said he has had to learn to play quite differently to the way that earned him his £100m price tag.

I remember thinking the Phillips transfer is basically them buying Micah Richards all over again. I hope he went into it realising that he was quadrupling his wage but essentially ending his career.

[phonics]

Micah Richards was a City youth product?

[Spikey M]

Was he? He must have refused to move to another team or something when the money turned up then. I don't know. I just remember thinking he was going to waste his career there either way.

[Lofty]

Confusing him with Delph you daft racist.

[Spikey M]

Nah, although that was another odd one.

[John Arne]

Goalie scoring klaxan....

1622550329379246081

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:drool:

[John Arne]

#Tekkers.

[Waffdon]

Bielsa back to Leeds pls

[Alex]

I'd take him back on the same ultimatum he gave Everton you know. That he just works with the youth team and takes over in the summer. Just leave some no-mark in charge of first team affairs for the rest of the season and hope for the best. I genuinely don't think I'd even care that much about going down as long as I knew he was returning!

[Alex]

Corberan (who was obviously his former number two) seems to be the consensus front-runner. I would potentially rather see out the season with West Brom if I were him though. These speculative lists are always frustrating to read though. I just saw one that had Pochettino at 9/1. The odds of him even answering a phone call from us just to laugh and say "no" are far longer than 9/1.

[niko_cee]

If Smallpockets wants to work in England again he's probably going to need to take something not far off Leeds' level. He's absolutely not going to be getting a 'top job' any time soon I don't think [appointed Chelsea boss next week]. I suppose Spuds might have him back if/when Conte fucks off, not a 'top job' though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Only just read into this City stuff. Have a feeling it is, to coin a phrase, massive. What the eventual punishment might be almost doesn't matter. What matters is that the PL feels it is in its interests to publicly unleash hell on one of its biggest clubs. This has never happened before since football began in 1992, nor come close to happening as far as I can recall.

Is it the American owner groups banding together to try to take them down? Is it the PL as a corporate entity deciding that the Emiratis need to be got rid of for competitive balance reasons? What does it mean for the Super League? I don't know, but there's something very significant behind it.

[Giggles]

Only just read into this City stuff. Have a feeling it is, to coin a phrase, massive. What the eventual punishment might be almost doesn't matter. What matters is that the PL feels it is in its interests to publicly unleash hell on one of its biggest clubs.

Is it the American owner groups banding together to try to take them down? Is it the PL as a corporate entity deciding that the Emiratis need to be got rid of for competitive balance reasons? I don't know, but there's something very significant behind it.

It’ll be a fine. Like everything that has gone before and will again.

[Shindig]

100 breaches sounds like a big enough number to warrant more than just fines. Whether the Premier League has the bottle to enforce something is another matter.

[Giggles]

Only small teams get bans. It’ll be a fine, a huge fine at that, but a fine.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It’ll be a fine. Like everything that has gone before and will again.

It doesn't matter what the disciplinary outcome is (even if they were relegated or something drastic, they'd return), it matters what the political outcome is and how that affects the future of the league and the Super League etc.

[Giggles]

It doesn't matter what the disciplinary outcome is (even if they were relegated or something drastic, they'd return), it matters what the political outcome is and how that affects the future of the league and the Super League etc.

Big club, big money, even bigger state. It’ll be a fine. Especially in the face of a super league.

[niko_cee]

An interesting take I read somewhere today [not sure where] was along the lines of no matter what happens, the City approach of drawing things out forever and lawyering the governing bodies to death is a really bad look for the sport. Not to want to sound all Tebas-like, but they [and PSG] have clearly been at it for years, absolutely taking the piss. Biggest commercial revenues in world football? Pull the other one.

[Giggles]

The real fun will start when Liverpool FC get swallowed up, very likely very soon.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Swallowed up by what, the Irish Sea?

[niko_cee]

Whilst obviously the cost of clubs is pocket change to these countries/entities, who is left in the market? The UAE, Saudis and Qataris already have their play things, are the Kuwait mob [or whoever else] really going to be ponying up to buy into this environment? Imagine being bought by Iran. :drool:

[Yevrah]

Only just read into this City stuff. Have a feeling it is, to coin a phrase, massive. What the eventual punishment might be almost doesn't matter. What matters is that the PL feels it is in its interests to publicly unleash hell on one of its biggest clubs. This has never happened before since football began in 1992, nor come close to happening as far as I can recall.

Is it the American owner groups banding together to try to take them down? Is it the PL as a corporate entity deciding that the Emiratis need to be got rid of for competitive balance reasons? What does it mean for the Super League? I don't know, but there's something very significant behind it.

My take is that they're realising that the current investment model from oil rich states is going to lead to the death of their product at the very least or, potentially, even the death of the game as we know it.

You simply cannot have all of the footballing playing resources held by a handful of clubs and it not absolutely kill your sport as a competitive spectacle.

[Waffdon]

I see that can’t take it to Court of Arbitration for Sport if they do get charged.

[Giggles]

Swallowed up by what, the Irish Sea?

The middle east, if you can separate yourself from being a jingomong and following the train of a thread. When the “club of the people” gets eaten up by the sand then the endgame gets completely accelerated.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was chatting to a Spurs fan at the weekend and he said their fanbase is currently (and correctly, in his view) desperately gasping for an Arab oil state to buy them. United fans seem to be the same, in the round. Nobody seems to have done the sums.

There are endless American venture capital funds though if you like that sort of thing.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My take is that they're realising that the current investment model from oil rich states is going to lead to the death of their product at the very least or, potentially, even the death of the game as we know it.

You simply cannot have all of the footballing playing resources held by a handful of clubs and it not absolutely kill your sport as a competitive spectacle.

I think you're not far off, except that they've probably been ushered towards that viewpoint by the Chelsea, Liverpool and United owners (and Arsenal, maybe).

Abramovich being replaced by Americans really changes the political balance at the top of the league.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, the bigger problem for 'The Product' is that the two teams with the most money/unlimited resources are, with the greatest respect, two-bit provincial outfits, so you can well imagine the bealing.

[Yevrah]

I think you're not far off, except that they've probably been ushered towards that viewpoint by the Chelsea, Liverpool and United owners (and Arsenal, maybe).

Maybe, and they're obviously doing it for self interested reasons, but the reality is that, whatever the motivation, their underlying point is right.

Man City winning the league year after year is boring, just as it will be when Newcastle do. As I've said before football is such a badly run sport in a commercial sense (presumably the massive back handers mean people are ok with that), but the one outlier is the Premier League, in that they've always understood what makes for an exciting league and distributed the wealth accordingly in order to achieve that. What's happened over the last few years is completely out of their control and I can see why they don't like it.

[Shindig]

I don't think us winning anything should be taken as an inevitability.

[Yevrah]

I don't think us winning anything should be taken as an inevitability.

Maybe not, but you're already ahead of schedule and if things are run well from the board room down you'll be fighting Man City for the number 1 side in England and presumably for a very long time.

Man City, going head to head with Newcastle, both sides dripping in oil money, really isn't good for interest in the game as none of it will have been achieved remotely organically.

[Lofty]

You're already rising quicker than City did without the comedy signings, once europe is secure you'll go full Boehly.

Edit: @ Shinners obviously

[Yevrah]

I also don't know how you solve any of this either mind. It's like all of the worst rules of a capitalist society coming together, with no way to stop it.

A draft & salary cap system may be the only option.

[niko_cee]

Maybe, and they're obviously doing it for self interested reasons, but the reality is that, whatever the motivation, their underlying point is right.

Man City winning the league year after year is boring, just as it will be when Newcastle do. As I've said before football is such a badly run sport in a commercial sense (presumably the massive back handers mean people are ok with that), but the one outlier is the Premier League, in that they've always understood what makes for an exciting league and distributed the wealth accordingly in order to achieve that. What's happened over the last few years is completely out of their control and I can see why they don't like it.

If anything, 'the money years' have been more competitive than the previous version of the product [Jack Walker was buying the league like a maverick genius in the 90s], which is sort of alright and improves as more teams become wealthy without limits [buying the league certainly isn't what it once was], but the disconnect to the rest of the league/football pyramid is a problem. I don't really know what my point is here, but City have wrecked the [potential] golden age of the team I have supported [in my lifetime] somewhat so fuck them, fuck them right in the ear.

[Yevrah]

If anything, 'the money years' have been more competitive than the previous version of the product [Jack Walker was buying the league like a maverick genius in the 90s]

Blackburn only won it once though, City are what, on number six now?

Time's passing quicker because we're all old now, but Man City and Chelsea must have been dominating for the best part of 20 years, with the latter getting a bit of slack because they have the good grace to drop a dogshit season every now and again.

[Lofty]

Chelsea's cycle of being comically bad every few seasons was more a consequence of Roman's quick fire sacking policy I think.

[Kikó]

https://twitter.com/FootbaIIForAIl/status/1622644146195558400?t=cG0kFj9A2XjHl3hyv_zsbA&s=19

Comments saying it's Mikel Arteta. Would be hilarious.

[niko_cee]

:D

That would be amazing.

More likely Garry Cook who probably has a massive chip on his shoulder.

[Lewis]

Didn't they only get away with it last time because the breaches had been committed too far back? The wages they supposedly pay have always had a definite whiff of Melbourne Storm accounting about them.

[Giggles]

My money is on Carsley.

[Dark Soldier]

It'll be Yaya with a book in ten years titled "The Birthday Cake That Brought Down an Empire".

[7om]

Was he? He must have refused to move to another team or something when the money turned up then. I don't know. I just remember thinking he was going to waste his career there either way.

Jack Rodwell.

[-james-]

1622663919327223835

Brentford B's bench tonight featured the sons of Jason Wilcox, Kevin Lisbie, Paul Dickov, Steven Pressley and David Beckham.

A pretty amusing punt that they're clearing taking.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Was only a matter of time before the data crowd turned to eugenics. Probably get all their first teamers to donate sperm at training.

[phonics]

IIRC Paul Dickovs kid was at City youth in the same group as Foden and was their second best player. Was a running joke that he was better than his old man.

[Don]

Andy Booth's son I get but Jeremy Vine, Jools Holland and Alan McManus? :cab:

[-james-]

It was actually Rowan Vine (Portsmouth, Brentford, Colchester United, Luton Town, Birmingham City, Queens Park Rangers (QPR), Hull City, Milton Keynes Dons, Exeter City, Gillingham, St Johnstone, Hibernian and Greenock Morton, and non-league football for Welling United, Havant & Waterlooville, Gosport Borough (three spells), Basingstoke Town, Southall (two spells), Hayes & Yeading United, Hartley Wintney (two spells), Alresford Town, Moneyfields, Tadley Calleva and Hemel Hempstead Town)'s son who was on the bench last night. Steven Pressley's boy is on their books as well though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I thought I saw Steven Pressley's son playing for Accrington the other day. Perhaps he was on loan.

[Jimmy Floyd]

1623008867729948672

Is this what it sounds like to them when Dave from north London is talking about tight ends and the college bowl?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The two penalty thing strikes again.

[phonics]

I can’t believe Billy Sharp is still playing for Sheffield United. I remember buying him in FM 07.

[randomlegend]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11724143/Manchester-United-Qatari-investors-make-bid-club-DAYS.html

Grim.

[Bernanke]

Get your Warren Zaire-Emery name: the name of the second most senior person in the accounts department at your company, the name of your favourite defunct nation state, and the manager who won the UEFA Cup the year you were born.

Dajo Texas Trapattoni. :cool:

[Yevrah]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11724143/Manchester-United-Qatari-investors-make-bid-club-DAYS.html

Grim.

Yep. I don't know if Gary Neville has clocked this yet, but Oil states and individuals owning the top four of the Premier League is far worse for 'sporting merit' than the super league would ever have been.

[John Arne]

Al-Hilal just beat Flamengo in the Club World Cup :)

[Kikó]

I've always been a strong supporter of Qatar.

[niko_cee]

Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay have officially submitted their joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup - 100 years after the inaugural tournament was held in Montevideo.

The four South American nations have called for the World Cup to return to "where football was born".

:cab:

[Jimmy Floyd]

They still have their backs up about Stanley Rous in a serious way in that part of the world.

Would be a great host venue(s) though. World Cup final in the Centenario, make it happen please.

[wullie]

Having it in Uruguay and the lads is the obvious sentimental choice, so with that in mind I'd like to congratulate Saudi Arabia on their successful bid.

[niko_cee]

Boost for Spurs' top 4 hopes with Lloris out for a few months.

[Baz]

Boost for Spurs' top 4 hopes with Lloris out for a few months.

Fraser Forster is 3.9 on FPL :happycry:

[Spikey M]

Good call putting off getting a new keeper until the summer.

[Giggles]

There goes our chance of nabbing a flukey one against France now.

[Manc]

I think thommo has banged this drum plenty, but Joao Palhinha should not be playing for Fulham. Just had a look at his fbref numbers and sure enough he's leagues ahead of his peers.

[Waffdon]

How have VAR not told the referee to look at Martinez there? :D

[Waffdon]

And now that clear foul from Martinez on Summerville.No idea whether it was in the box or not but could have been last man. What a shambles

[Lewis]

The No Manager Bounce doing the business here.

[Lofty]

Alexei Lalas in the mud.

[Waffdon]

The No Manager Bounce doing the business here.

Not as strong as the scoring once when 2-0 down bounce

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Jadons Ancho officially back :cool:

[Don]

Great to see the emo score and delay the suicide attempt but can't help thinking Antony has been missed here.

Great bit of seethe from Shaw and a few others, Elland Road game promises serious fireworks.

[Alex]

I will take it. Obviously it's disappointing to lose the two goal lead but in reality it's a great point. Who knew all we needed to do to look a half-way decent side again was drop the horrible, repetitive, super-narrow build up play? Revelatory stuff.

[Kikó]

Fred was laughable tonight.

[phonics]

Watching Brum v Brom. This Hannibal guy is tasty.

[randomlegend]

Watching Brum v Brom. This Hannibal guy is tasty.

He's on loan from United. He's been one of the highest rated ones in the academy for ages.

[Don]

High praise.

[Manc]

1623811481375748096?s=20&t=06GtralP3bqfNCQbSgDHeQ

Great addition to the Premier League.

[Waffdon]

Mount and Gallagher dropped. :drool:

[Waffdon]

Felix has played about 65 mins in total and been the best player for every minute by a mile.

And Enzo Fernandez is that guy.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

West Ham look wank.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:cool:

Lovely scuffed finish.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That goal is one of those that is simultaneously really shit to concede, but also you couldn't have done anything about no matter what you did.

[Waffdon]

Well, Cucurella could have just cleared it. I have no idea why they try to beat the press down the left as it always ends with them losing it. He’s so out of his depth compared to last year for Brighton.

West Ham will win this, they always do. Couldn’t tell you the last time Chelsea won an early kick off in front of fans either

[-james-]

Well, Cucurella could have just cleared it. I have no idea why they try to beat the press down the left as it always ends with them losing it. He’s so out of his depth compared to last year for Brighton.

West Ham will win this, they always do. Couldn’t tell you the last time Chelsea won an early kick off in front of fans either

Nothing to do with your man doing his best Trent Impression.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why are commentators continually talking about us in terms of needing to make up points to make the Champions League places? It's so lazy. We demonstably have neither any opportunity neither any interest in making up such a huge deficit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Actually, who is this bloke on BT lead comms? Is he a quota appointment? His vocal range is completely wrong.

[-james-]

Actually, who is this bloke on BT lead comms? Is he a quota appointment? His vocal range is completely wrong.

I've been trying to place him. I'm pretty sure he's usually heard doing either the u17 world cup or the women's luge.

[Waffdon]

Nothing to do with your man doing his best Trent Impression.

Maybe but it all starts with Cucurella.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Potter has clearly done some sterling work (small s) on the training ground this week, so credit to him, but we're still yet to find any kind of emotional tone for this team. Great half hour of technical stuff and then as soon as the knees up mother brown crowd start going we look completely lost.