October football: VARy bad decisions

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's also very healthy for him on a number of levels that he's safely ensconced in Spain away from all the utter bullshit than runs through our football. I mean, utter bullshit runs through Spanish football too but that's not his problem.

[niko_cee]

That control and pass back to Foden was ridiculous.

I guess it's all on how he recovers from being sent off in a critical game now.

[phonics]

Also in fairness to Rooney, he was put under 1000 times the pressure than Bellinghams ever faced at an equivalent age that would have Jude will playing for the Blues.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Who is our best ever player to date? Is it Rooney? Stanley Matthews, Beckham, erm, Bobby Moore?

It's probably Lineker really, pound for pound.

[Yevrah]

That control and pass back to Foden was ridiculous.

Utterly fapworthy. I'm trying to work out how it all goes wrong for him from here and I have to admit, I'm struggling. It genuinely looks like he has everything - mentally, technically, tactically, physically and anything else I've forgotten to mention ally.

[phonics]

My Dad says its Bryan Robson. Is always his go to 'if he wasn't drinking 12 pints of mild a night and you dropped him into todays game' player.

Oh and that player Jimmy Hill used to bang on about all the time, Jimmy Greaves?

[niko_cee]

He's young yet, plenty of time for his spirit to be crushed, at least for England.

[niko_cee]

How on earth did we ever lose the final of the Euros to Italy? I know they were rolling at the time, but they are, and pretty much were, absolutely terrible.

[Gray Fox]

Because waistcoat took about 30 minutes to react to Italian half time changes and then shit himself at every opportunity thereafter.

[Jimmy Floyd]

How on earth did we ever lose the final of the Euros to Italy? I know they were rolling at the time, but they are, and pretty much were, absolutely terrible.

Yeah. You watch this game and we're just miles ahead of them despite all the things we always moan about. Our talent production in the last 10 years has been world-leading.

Speaking of which, I'm only just catching up with Mancini resigning the job mid-campaign to go to the Saudi Arabian national team. Proper Phil Mickelson villain stuff.

[Ben]

Speaking of which, I'm only just catching up with Mancini resigning the job mid-campaign to go to the Saudi Arabian national team. Proper Phil Mickelson villain stuff.

And he's persona non grata in Italy now. Unlike the money thirsty American society who still shag Phil at every turn.

[Yevrah]

How on earth did we ever lose the final of the Euros to Italy? I know they were rolling at the time, but they are, and pretty much were, absolutely terrible.

Fox has beaten me to it. I'll give Gareth a pass for that first World Cup, but everything since then has seen a group of England players almost as good as any other national team going constrained by his hideous safety first approach and incompetent in game management.

[Jimmy Floyd]

In other news, San Marino equalised against Denmark on 61 minutes. Since gone behind again but what legends.

[Shindig]

Bellingham's probably going to slot into the 'make something happen' role Sterling had under Southgate.

Tonali's co-accused has been handed a 7-month ban :uhoh:

[Lewis]

'Fagioli' lol.

[niko_cee]

Isn't that just Bean in Italian?

[Kikó]

He's what we always hoped that Rooney would become.
/
The Rooney that was one of the best in his position for about 10 years?

[Ben]

Yeah he was but transformed into a different player quite quickly. That Euro 2004 Rooney was a different breed, like Bellingham.

[Offshore Toon]

Tonali apparently bet on AC. Sue the cunt and bomb Milan.

[Jimmy Floyd]

/
The Rooney that was one of the best in his position for about 10 years?

He was great but he could have been beyond great. Bit like Gazza really but better looked after.

[Yevrah]

I always maintain with Rooney that if he'd died tragically shortly after Euro 2004 we'd still be mourning the nailed on loss of England's greatest ever player and by some distance. It simply didn't turn out that way.

[Kikó]

He is probably England's greatest ever player. Have we all suffered some kind of collective amnesia?

[Yevrah]

Ok, one of the World's best ever players.

[Kikó]

He was for ages?

[Jimmy Floyd]

After Euro 2004 he scored only three more tournament goals for England. The first was the winner against Ukraine at Euro 2012, second was in a defeat to Uruguay in our failed 2014 campaign, and the last was the opener against Iceland which we went on to lose 2-1.

Most England supporters don't care what he did for Man U, certainly not on an emotional level. After Euro 2004 we thought he would play with the same freedom and lead us into contention for many tournaments, that just didn't happen.

[Waffdon]

I thought Chelsea were just a bit jinxed but I’m starting to think their medical department might just be a bit shit. Lavia, Chalobah, Chukwuemka and James were all back in training and now all four had a ‘set back’ and are injured once again. Same happened to Badiashile who was back in training in September and still hasn’t kicked a ball after getting re injured.

And Kante has also played more already this season than he did for Chelsea in the past 12 months (though that may be down to Saudi league being at walking pace)

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://st.depositphotos.com/1518767/2304/i/450/depositphotos_23048952-stock-photo-happy-surgeon-sitting-in-operating.jpg

[Baz]

People know Rooney didn’t just play for England, right?

[Yevrah]

He was for ages?

Not as Jim's pointed out for England, which is what we were discussing. Again, had he died post Euro 2004, anyone saying "don't worry, he'd have only scored three more goals for England in major tournaments anyway" would have been laughed out of the building.

[Yevrah]

People know Rooney didn’t just play for England, right?

Even for Man Utd I'd say he didn't quite live up to his promise, which was partly due to Ferguson employing him in the Dirk Kuyt role for a depressing amount of time, but there was a time when he was just as good as Ronaldo and Messi yet they both went on to tear well ahead of him.

[Lewis]

That injury he got at the end of his mental 2009/10 season cost United the league and probably the Champions' League, and by all accounts he never quite got over them rushing him back from it (he certainly stank 2010 up for England on it). He should have been used solely as a striker after that, like when he kept them in the 2011/12 fight with twenty tap-ins, but they persisted in thinking he was a ten for a few more years and it finished him off.

[Boydy]

On the topic of Rooney:

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[Spikey M]

Some of the shite we played up front while he was fucking about on the left wing is hilarious looking back.

[Ben]

No doubt he was a great footballer for much of his career but he certainly peaked early, he just had the mental ability to consistently perform at a high level for years beyond that point. At 18 years old (Euro 2004) I'm not sure there's been anyone better at that age (not even Messi or Owen) and his injury probably/definitely cost us the tournament; from early 2004 (still at Everton) until Ronaldo got him sent off at the 2006 World Cup he was phenomenal, completely uninhibited natural ability. There wasn't anything specific, he was just a pure joy to watch as he ruled games whilst appearing to not require the immense effort you'd imagine it needed, much like what we're seeing with Bellingham recently.

Man Utd fans will probably say he was best around the 2009-11 period, though. And from an influential perspective, he probably was at his best (for them) in this time, but he wasn't the mind boggling talent we saw years previously.

[Boydy]

Wasn't he just too fond of the beer and fags to prolong his peak in the same way Ronaldo and Messi did?

[John Arne]

Ashley Cole has been England's best player of the past 20 years.

[Ben]

Wasn't he just too fond of the beer and fags to prolong his peak in the same way Ronaldo and Messi did?

Shite wording but that's what I was getting at with the "completely uninhibited natural ability" comment. Once external factors started creeping in he wasn't the same player. Maybe no less effective, but didn't have as much "wow factor" that Messi, Ronaldo, now Bellingham have.

[Raoul Duke]

Wasn't he just too fond of the beer and fags to prolong his peak in the same way Ronaldo and Messi did?

He's a year younger than Ronaldo, who's still playing in a goat-herder league

[Shindig]

And Ronaldo will continue to turn out for Portugal in his 50's.

Oh, horrible news from the Gateshead side of the river: Iron Mike Williamson is off to manage MK Dons. He doesn't look like he's down as player/manager so a glittering career has come to an end. 439 appearances 17 goals.

This now raises an important question: Which ex-Newcastle player takes over? Steve Watson is available. Probably him for a second stint.

[Giggles]

We've had some twat I've never heard of look like declaring. That can only mean he's realised he's shite at an early age, which is probably for the best. Nothing like battling Callum O'Dowda for a spot to put you back in your box.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1714378559404326957

Gazza found something at Wembley to enjoy himself.

[Don]

Grim day. Robbo out for 10 weeks and Salah making the worst public statement I've ever seen. Why not just put it into AI to read out, brother?

[Gray Fox]

Gravenberch in for his first league start. Boy looks some player from his cameos so far.

Beginning to wonder why we bought the best CDM in the world to sit him on the bench.

[niko_cee]

This is such a shit game at lunchtime off the back of an international break, hopefully rank Everton turn up rather than dig in and break Everton.

[Gray Fox]

Merseyside police always ask this game to be put in the early slot. It's shit because the evening kick offs for the derby usually are electric.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

DCL has fucked that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was a stunning challenge by Ashley Young.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is there actually ever trouble at the Liverpool derby (one of them v Tranmere would be the 'Merseyside' derby), or is it just that herding that many people around the city is a ballache?

[Baz]

Onana’s way too good to wear an Everton shirt.

[Gray Fox]

These last ditch tackles have been incredible.

[John Arne]

Mac Allister seriously needs taking out of the holding role. Caught with the ball way too often. He's gonna cost us a good few goals playing in that role.

[Gray Fox]

Is there actually ever trouble at the Liverpool derby (one of them v Tranmere would be the 'Merseyside' derby), or is it just that herding that many people around the city is a ballache?

It's notoriously called the friendly derby. Families split on support etc. Hate each other for a few hours then back to normal.

The latter will get worse when Everton move stadia as their new one is right on the docks which is right by the city centre.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Harsh red for Young.

[Gray Fox]

As lol as it is when it's not you, but that's not a red card.

[Waffdon]

Referee has been giving everything to Liverpool so far so that was always gonna come. Lucky if either were yellow cards.

[Gray Fox]

Reminds me of the Jota red. Absolutely shouldn't be combining to make a red card, but when you're on a yellow and you dive in like that, that's how it's going to go.

[Manc]

Mykolenko playing like prime Maldini.

[niko_cee]

Lunchtime kick offs should be abolished.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ref is on the take.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Appalling refereeing not to give Konate another yellow there.

[niko_cee]

Replay the game.

[Waffdon]

They’ll end up winning but this is another game where Liverpool have been shite the majority of the game

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Should be booked for diving.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's a pen...

[Gray Fox]

A bit silly from Keane.

Now get the 2nd and put them away please.

[Waffdon]

Everton deserve that for bringing Keane on. The worst defender in the league

[Spoonsky]

Howay. Worst performance of the season by far.

[Gray Fox]

Post international early games should be binned. Both sides were terrible today. But neither as bad as the referee.

[niko_cee]

All early kick-offs should be binned.

I assume 'the Asian market' is why they even exist, as they're dreadful for everyone else.

[Jimmy Floyd]

TV rights in general and you also need to stop the evil working class people from having a beer before the start otherwise they'll start boxing each other and I'm not talking Queensberry rules.

[niko_cee]

The VAR obviously has someone other than Neal Maupay or the Burnley penalty taker FGS today.

[niko_cee]

Bobby Charlton's had enough of watching United.

[Ian]

Same.

[Waffdon]

Thiago Silva and Cucurella starting at the back and no recognised striker. Saka against Cucurella and Jesus/Martinelli in Silva’s channel :sick:

[niko_cee]

I saw the other day that Silva wasn't getting his contract renewed and thought of you. Just 7 months to go.

[Shindig]

Gateshead's match against Chesterfield was stormed off or whatever. So Rob Elliot has to wait to get his first match in charge. Rather than field applicants, the board went with him as an interim boss.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Got to say, as I search for some form of sport today that isn't going to be an epochal disaster, I fear a bit for our left side here. Hopefully it's Mudryk's breakout game but that's probably a 40/1 shot.

[Alex]

An excellent turnaround from Leeds. 2-0 down at half time away to Norwich to win 3-2. I don't see anyone other than Leicester winning the league, even at this early stage. But hopefully Ipswich drop off and we can chase second place.

The current squad is a breath of fresh air after ripping out the majority of the over-valued, over-paid wasters of the last couple of seasons.

[Waffdon]

Got to say, as I search for some form of sport today that isn't going to be an epochal disaster, I fear a bit for our left side here. Hopefully it's Mudryk's breakout game but that's probably a 40/1 shot.

Stamford Bridge too small for him. Moving to Wembley when they upgrade the stadium should do him well.

Jorginho penalty here since Havertz on the bench.

[Waffdon]

That ball looks like it’s going to cause havoc in the grass. Pitch is heavy as fuck

[SincereTheRebel]

Bournemouth gifted Wolves the winner. Bournemouth were down to 10 men and had goal kick in the last minute. Neto decided to play it short under pressure, Billing got robbed for a tap in. Silly.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Cole Palmer is a little shit.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That looked like a clear handball.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not sure that should really be a pen but fuck it.

[Waffdon]

Not sure playing with no striker is going to help when holding onto a lead and dropping back.

[Foe]

I'm not sure that should really be a pen but fuck it.

They are going to have to loosen the rule on handball, it’s absolutely mental that we’ve had two game tipping incidents today being a ball inadvertently hitting a defender on the arm from about 30cm.

How do you teach a defender to ignore natural instincts when jumping for headers?

[niko_cee]

There is a more simple solution than torching all of the rules of the sport.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think current official thinking on the topic seems to be 'unlucky m8'.

We were really good in that half. Centre backs are a bit all over the place though so I fully expect them to drive in three second half.

[Don]

Gallagher and Rice, is there anything setting them apart except one has performed regularly for a shite side and the other has had to fight harder for first team mins? Enzo and Caicedo continuing to outclass the opposition but the Norwegian Bergkamp can't ever be ruled out of lighting up a game (unless of course it's a meaningful game against respectable opposition).

[Waffdon]

Cucurella has played well so he’s due a bombscare moment.

Would be taking Mudryk off for Jackson and sticking Palmer out wide. Not the game for Mudryk at all.

[niko_cee]

Not watching, but is Cucurella playing well because he's playing as a leftback rather than in a 3? Also, is Colwill playing in the middle? :eek:

[Waffdon]

Raya :lol:

[Waffdon]

Not watching, but is Cucurella playing well because he's playing as a leftback rather than in a 3? Also, is Colwill playing in the middle? :eek:

Yes and yes. To be fair to Cucurella he’s played well last few games at right back as he’s just been told to defend and nothing else

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Raya should be taken out back.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Thank god Ramsdale's the one having to hold a newborn is all I can say.

[Waffdon]

Both these keepers aren’t helping the Spanish GK reputation. Both are brutal

[niko_cee]

Aren't they very much on brand for Spanish goalkeeping, with the good ones of the past 20 years being the historical anomaly?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Goalkeepers from cold countries are the ones to go for. You knew where you were with Jussi Jaskalainen.

[Waffdon]

This referee has booked everyone for their first foul (none of them cynical). Absolutely awful stuff.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:lol:

[Waffdon]

Jesus Christ. Arsenal will get back into this now having been completely out of it. What a fkn mong

[Jimmy Floyd]

Another tit who should be playing for Barakaldo or Ourense.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If we don't win it will be because the woeful Jackson approached that golden chance like a man still learning to walk.

[Waffdon]

I hate this game.

Was always going to happen after that Sanchez monstrosity. They’ll probably go on to win this now, still ages left.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Shocking game management has been a problem dating back a long time and it's not going to get any better with these child spreadsheet pieces being brought on at the end of every game. Can Sterling not just play the 90?

[niko_cee]

The Arsenal allez allez allez song really annoys me.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Evans and Maguire starting at CB? Ugh.

[Waffdon]

Shocking game management has been a problem dating back a long time and it's not going to get any better with these child spreadsheet pieces being brought on at the end of every game. Can Sterling not just play the 90?

The subs just before Arsenal made it 2-2 were really odd. Madueke has barely played all year and obviously James hasn’t either. Went to a back 5 with the 4 ahead of them.

A Sanchez lump up the field away from a comfortable win but what can you do.

[Gray Fox]

Reece James played a whole 10 mins without an injury?!

[niko_cee]

Just seen the Rice goal.

:D

Nothing beats a Gary Neville "oh no".

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not sure how we went from Kepa and Mendy to this prat and someone brought in directly from the New England Revolution.

[Don]

Every domestic Real game with Vinny I tune into is descending into some school pantomine version of the George Floyd killing. It's fucking superb, always being baited by half a dozen tatted favela fucks as he begins to get more and more irate if they're not winning. He's a pussy as are his soft af teammates but he'll be pushed to finally chin someone soon.

[niko_cee]

That penalty decision is also hilarious, but JFH says definite penalty for me. :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

JFH is an underrated pundit. Doesn't say much of value himself but is always involved in massive ding-dongs.

[Waffdon]

That penalty decision is also hilarious, but JFH says definite penalty for me. :D

It’s obviously a penalty. Same with the Keane one earlier. I don’t actually know why anyone can say different. Both arms were outstretched away from their body.

[niko_cee]

I would say the deviation of the ball instantly before, and the clear lack of intent in terms of the defender positioning his body that way, I mean, what advantage is there to be had to block a header going well wide [?], put it into the accidental category. But as the Jimmys say, the rule is more lol bad luck mate with those. Weirdly, if Mudryk heads it, it glances/brushes Saliba's head/chest and then hits his arm in exactly the same was it's not a penalty. That's a silly rule.

It all goes back to the seminal VAR penalty handball decision in the 2018 WC Final where slow motion entirely ruins accurate understanding of the game.

[niko_cee]

For example, as a direct comparison, what about the one where Jackson headed the ball into his own arm earlier in the season? Distance was probably about the same.

[Waffdon]

It’s really impressive how Chelsea have managed to only secure 12 points so far. Should have been minimum 17/18 (based off of performances and nothing else).

Suppose that’s what happens when your average age is about 22 if you don’t include Silva. At least the midfield is finally rebuilt. Now to add Nkunku and Oshimen to the madness in January

[Lofty]

JFH is an underrated pundit. Doesn't say much of value himself but is always involved in massive ding-dongs.

He said Odegaard needed to add goals to his game the other week. He scored 15 non penalty goals last season.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Then maybe Odegaard should add some goals to his game.

[Waffdon]

For example, as a direct comparison, what about the one where Jackson headed the ball into his own arm earlier in the season? Distance was probably about the same.

Anything with your arm outstretched should be given. Maybe harsh at times but the ball shouldn’t touch your hand so it’s a foul.

[niko_cee]

Then the game just becomes shit hockey with the likes Baggio dinking the ball into poor Chilean mugs hands in 1994. Handball is probably the least susceptible rule to forensic analysis, seeing as it was an unintelligible mess prior to VAR. Deliberate? Who was it that got sent off in an Arsenal Chelsea game years ago for punching the ball wide when it was already going wide? Was it Hazard? Or was it an Arsenal mug?

[Gray Fox]

Oxlade-Chamberlain did it but Gibbs got sent off for it.

[niko_cee]

:D

Yeah, that was the one, perfect.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

McDon :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

McTominay giveth and he taketh.

[Ian]

What Sir Bobby would have wanted, this. Struggling against a total turd of a team.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Dalot :cool:

We're fucking back, bitches.

[Danny]

I would wait atleast 6 minutes after we score to make such claims based on this season

[niko_cee]

Sheff Utd going for the worst record from here on out. This was their chance to show they were something other than dreadful.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Luton remain outside the drop zone with their late heist. Legends.

[niko_cee]

I also enjoyed Vincent Kompany's Burnley being described as looking like a youth team by Martin Keown today.

Has football really changed so much between the levels these days?

[Lofty]

Vincinius Jr racially abused again, what's the Spanish equivalent of gammon?Jamón?

[randomlegend]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/10/21/monaco-paul-mitchell-man-utd-sporting-director-ratcliffe/

Sir Jim looking to bring in some ProperFootballMenTM once he gets in the door.

[Shindig]

Vincinius Jr racially abused again, what's the Spanish equivalent of gammon?Jamón?

Shepherd's Paella.

[Ben]

Tarta de pastor.

[niko_cee]

Pata Negrita.

[Kikó]

Konate was really lucky not to get a second yellow for exactly the same thing he was booked first time for. I don't see any issues with the Ashley Young ones, they're both yellow cards.

Very nice tribute to Bobby Charlton by the BBC as well.

[phonics]

We were as crap as the handball rule. I'm also yet to see David Raya do anything impressive.

[Jimmy Floyd]

His distribution was absolutely terrible. Looks like a fad signing to me.

[phonics]

His distribution was absolutely terrible. Looks like a fad signing to me.

There's one Arsenal Twitter account that everytime the Raya v Ramsdale argument starts up shows some graph that Raya's distribution is better but my eyes just see a bloke kicking it into touch anytime he has to pass further than 5 yards.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There was one point when he leathered it out of play around the halfway line and Arteta and the entire coaching staff seemed to stand up and applaud, as if they'd just seen Yo Yo Ma perfect Elgar's cello concerto, rather than a goalkeeper lumping it into the stands. Sometimes it's as if execution just isn't valued in modern football, it's all about the PLAN.

[Gray Fox]

Anyone signing a goalkeeper based on their kicking should be sacked on the spot.

Ederson gets the label of "could play in midfield" often, but it gets overlooked that he's actually a top notch shot stopper first and just so happens he kicks well. It seems like everyone has tried to copy him since he came into the league.

[Lewis]

Also nobody presses City that high up in case they get bummed in short order so he has all the time he wants to ponce about with it.

[Foe]

Anyone signing a goalkeeper based on their kicking should be sacked on the spot.

Ederson gets the label of "could play in midfield" often, but it gets overlooked that he's actually a top notch shot stopper first and just so happens he kicks well. It seems like everyone has tried to copy him since he came into the league.

I was having this discussion with IRL friends and raised the point that, from my experience, keepers are keepers because they were crap and wanted to feel involved. Suddenly raising the old “we are just going to get you involved with little passes from the back” seems a pretty bad idea.

Was petr cech good with his feet? Was he fuck and he was a great keeper.

I think I’ll need to see some stats to suggest why those pissy little passes at the back are net positive. See so often they end up in either a chance or goal for the other team. Most live games I watch have one.

[Shindig]

I think it's the idea you could always build something from the back. Hoofing it to half-way doesn't always retain possession. Still, keepers should have an awareness to know when it's better to just club it forward.

[Adramelch]

Likewise defenders don't quite seem to know when it's better to just clear the ball.

[Foe]

I’m an advocate of possession in the opponents third, or at a stretch the opponents half, is the only possession stat worth a salt. Who cares if you have possession inside your own box?

Particularly if there’s an attacker looming.

[Adramelch]

Well the concept is that you will be able to play it out of your half every time, which would lead to higher possession at the opposite half. Which is all well and good, apart from the fact that many teams seem to have no alternative plan.

[Gray Fox]

Burnley getting desperate early.

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[Giggles]

Did they ever just figure it’s because they’re shite?

[Don]

Proper backwards gammon thinking on keeper distribution here. You've all got hundreds of years of generational conditioning into thinking kicking it long and losing it is somehow okay just because it's still a few passes away from being in the back of your net. See RDZ's comments yesterday on why Milner wasn't the issue when he was gobbling up all 15 inches of Doku's girthy snake time and time again. You have to think a few steps ahead.

[phonics]

Just seen that Harry Kane has 10 goals and 5 assists in 11 games. It's such an absurdly bad league I can't believe the statisticians don't treat it like when people used to buy from the Eredivisie.

[Manc]

Would he get those numbers for Darmstadt?

[Gray Fox]

It's not that the quality of player is bad, it's that any form of defensive coaching or a line not up to the halfway line has been made an official crime in the country.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I’m an advocate of possession in the opponents third, or at a stretch the opponents half, is the only possession stat worth a salt. Who cares if you have possession inside your own box?

Particularly if there’s an attacker looming.

Well they're all trying to draw the press, but execution is so variable.

The other thing that irks me about watching football at the moment is that every team plays like this. No variety at all.

[Kikó]

It's not that the quality of player is bad, it's that any form of defensive coaching or a line not up to the halfway line has been made an official crime in the country.

Same at amateur level as well. No one can be arsed defending.

[Boydy]

1715814963237761504

What a goal.

[SvN]

What was that celebration about?

[Yevrah]

Young people.

[phonics]

"3 Official Apologies From PGMOL, You'll Never Sing That" :cool:

[Don]

A lot of things to wank over with this Spurs side, the freedom of the fullbacks is very close to my own heart, the one-touch passing, the pass and move but it all goes back to the most basic giveaway of a manager who (against my expectations) knows what he's doing, the relentless press. Fucking great times to be a Spurs supporter.

[randomlegend]

The penalty they've just awarded Napoli is a joke.

Edit: didn't realise the game I'm watching isn't live :D not having a good night.

[Adramelch]

I was trying to figure out whether you meant Empoli or something. :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

Spurs winning the league managed by an Australian is in theory one of the worst possible outcomes for sport, but it's just so likeable. I'm sorry.

[Waffdon]

I wonder why Thomas Partey isn’t travelling with Arsenal today.

Rapey.

[Shindig]

Has he placed any bets lately?

[Lofty]

He's made of glass though so doesn't mean much, same reason a physio follows him round on international duty.

[phonics]

It’s amazing that rep he’s managed to get since joining us. Think he played 150 games with no injuries for Atletico and no issues. Timber missed like 3 games since he was 19 and then blows his ACL in his first game. I don’t get it.

[Waffdon]

He's made of glass though so doesn't mean much, same reason a physio follows him round on international duty.

May as well buy a Getafe shirt whilst you’re at it lad

[phonics]

Raya passing it to the opposition again. This continuing farce and Arteta not wanting to lose face might genuinely derail his entire tenure if it carries on.

Both Raya and Havertz (even if I can see the upside with this one) were both proper too smart by half signings.

[Lofty]

May as well buy a Getafe shirt whilst you’re at it lad

I'm not saying he didn't do it and I don't agree with him playing for the club but what element do you think prohibits him travelling tonight?

[CJay]

Genuinely nothing to separate United and Copenhagen so far.

They just have very little idea how to play through the lines. Everything is done at snail’s pace.

[Lofty]

Gabriel to Gabriel to Gabriel :cool:

That turn was excellent.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That's a cracking finish from Jesus.

[mo]

Speaking of cracking finishes:

1716913342756118853

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Slabhead :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://media.tenor.com/TSTviyh1yoIAAAAC/harry-maguire-big-head.gif

[Gray Fox]

Death. Taxes. Sevilla 3rd in a Champions League group.

[phonics]

I’ve just realised that it’s THAT Jesus Navas playing for Sevilla. He must be about 40 by now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fuck off McTominay.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Onana :cool:

Finally he comes good.

[Waffdon]

Must be a full moon. Onana and Maguire saving Man Utd’s CL run. What a horrendous team though. Disgrace if they’re anywhere near top 6 in the league

[niko_cee]

They'll probably go on a Rashford inspired run of playing quite well for a bit having stolen a few results of late.

[Don]

Sir Bobby's ghost inspiring the Onana-Maguire redemption has set them back a month or two now and should hopefully ensure Egghead remains in place for another raping by us. Glorious.

[niko_cee]

I see Garnacho's getting a bit of grief for scuffing up the penalty spot yesterday.

That should be something VAR is mandated to police with it being an instant dismissal for unsportsmanlike conduct. Problem goes away immediately.

[Don]

Did the fixture compiler have a stroke for this Sunday?

PREMIER LEAGUE

West Ham 13:00 Everton
Aston Villa 14:00 Luton
Brighton 14:00 Fulham
Liverpool 14:00 Nottm Forest
Man Utd 15:30 Man City

What the sweet fuck is that about? Is that to the liking of the scummy gammons who actually attend games or something? What about the millions of scholars of the game and muzzies and what not who need to be maximising their viewing of EPL action?

[Ben]

Manchester Derby is an hour earlier due to police request. Therefore the early televised game moves forward one hour as well.

The other three are in the usual spot for the non-televised Sunday games (ie. those that played on Thursday in Europe), no?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Assuming you're in the stands at Anfield, you can watch the game there and look down at West Ham v Everton on your smartphone during dull passages of play. Then on to the pub in your half and half scarf and racially balanced betting-advert friendship group to watch Man Red v Man Blue.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Here's an observation. Man U, in their league soccer to date, have won 5 and lost 4, the 5 wins coming against the sides currently placed 13, 14, 15, 18 and 20, and the losses to teams placed 1, 2, 6 and 10. They have still to play 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 11 (Chelsea). Are they, as opposed to being really fucking terrible, actually completely abysmal beyond belief? Time will tell.

Whilst conducting this research I also observed that 11th-placed Chelsea have had a comically easy run of fixtures thus far. Relegation beckons, my friends.

[Waffdon]

Wouldn’t say that. played 3 of the top 5 in 9 games and West Ham away as well which is an automatic loss.

Spurs are getting battered in two weeks.

[Kikó]

Here's an observation. Man U, in their league soccer to date, have won 5 and lost 4, the 5 wins coming against the sides currently placed 13, 14, 15, 18 and 20, and the losses to teams placed 1, 2, 6 and 10. They have still to play 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 11 (Chelsea). Are they, as opposed to being really fucking terrible, actually completely abysmal beyond belief? Time will tell.

Whilst conducting this research I also observed that 11th-placed Chelsea have had a comically easy run of fixtures thus far. Relegation beckons, my friends.

We're abysmal but maybe confidence will start to flow with some players getting a run of games. Not sure I actually believe this though.

[Spikey M]

Wouldn’t say that. played 3 of the top 5 in 9 games and West Ham away as well which is an automatic loss.

Spurs are getting battered in two weeks.

3 of the top 5 in the first 9 games is bang average.

[Jimmy Floyd]

All at home too. Haven't yet played a top 8 side away, this applies only to us and Arsenal.

On the plus side, the league cup draw has opened right up.

[Waffdon]

Well you shall be buzzing about Novembers run in. Easy peasy.

[SvN]

We haven't played well since winning the League Cup. I suppose we were alright in the 4-1 against Chelsea, but that was largely due to them being awful than us doing anything particularly well.

That performance against Barca feels like a lifetime ago.

[Waffdon]

1717150376032371133

Probably clickbait but hilarious if true.

Meanwhile, Man City…hush hush.

[niko_cee]

Wouldn’t say that.

Didn't you literally say as much when they were embarking on the run just gone of games? Which Chelsea went on to somewhat spaz up by losing to Forest at home among other terrible/inexplicable results. On the subject of which, Liverpool look to have a pretty piss easy run up until they play City in late November so bring on being the first team to lose at Kenilworth Road in a few weeks.

[Waffdon]

Yes. I just like to say the opposite of Floyd.

[niko_cee]

You my have to consider joining the doomsday bandwagon, by your own admission:


What a club.

Piss easy run of 7 (1 cup) games coming up where the hardest is Aston Villa at home. If there’s not at least 15 points from them then I’ll start to believe in Jim’s doomsday.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm actually a bit more optimistic than I was then, mainly because of Cole Palmer and the fact that Pochettino knows what he's doing. However I think a top half finish is still a long way off. It's not a top-ten squad.

Fairly meagre pickings tonight, of which magpies v yellow tits may be the best option.

[Don]

Similarly to my previous post, why are these 17:45 KOs common place now in CL? Didn't it just used to be random Russian games? I thought it might still just be games involving terrorist nation clubs like Ukraine and those with risk of stabbings (Gala/Feyenoord/etc) but Inter-Salzburg yesterday?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I presume it's for TV, and they are of course 18.45 in the land of shit breakfasts, so presumably works for them.

[Waffdon]

You my have to consider joining the doomsday bandwagon, by your own admission:

I was sort of going in that direction but Poch finally realised he should be swapping Fernandez and Gallagher's roles around and since then it has been 3 wins and a draw. That and they haven't ever really played too horrendously in any of the games (hence winning every single game on 'XG' this season :cool:)

[phonics]

I'm actually a bit more optimistic than I was then, mainly because of Cole Palmer and the fact that Pochettino knows what he's doing. However I think a top half finish is still a long way off. It's not a top-ten squad.

Fairly meagre pickings tonight, of which magpies v yellow tits may be the best option.

My current theory is that if we’d bought Palmer instead of Havertz then Mahow would be crying into his cornflakes on the daily. Hoping City did us 3 favours in a row would be unlikely but I also assume Arteta takes the bald frauds word as gospel and the way he got pushed out meant that it was never happening.

[phonics]

While I’m sharing theories, annoyingly Dortmund have fucked my Bundesliga is shut hypothesis. They’re so, so much better than Newcastle.

[Lewis]

Colep Almer, destined to be referred to by his full name forever.

[Shindig]

While I’m sharing theories, annoyingly Dortmund have fucked my Bundesliga is shut hypothesis. They’re so, so much better than Newcastle.

Aye, really high intensity and quick to turn defence into attack. I can't even be mad.

[Gray Fox]

Dortmunds problem is they're forever in that transition of having sold their best player(s) the summer just gone and need time for the new cash cow to develop their game.

[phonics]

Aye, really high intensity and quick to turn defence into attack. I can't even be mad.

Felt like they were constantly 3 passes away from cutting you open and that they didn't find it even a struggle to get at least 2 of them.

[Magic]

Bamford is finished.

[Alex]

Bamford is finished.

As soon as he got up from the foul and I saw him say he was taking it I knew there was a zero percent chance of it going in.

I would have sooner given it to Meslier to take mate.

[Lofty]

Tonali banned til next August.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Out of the Euros next year.

[Yevrah]

Rofl. There has got to have been a clause in the contract with Milan that covers this sort of stuff, not that it'll help on the pitch mind.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I found it incredible he was playing last night and the game at the weekend.

[Manc]

Presumably Milan knew of the shenanigans.

[Jimmy Floyd]

In other Newcastle-are-shit news, the uselessness of them and others is threatening to cost us the 5th Champions League place (you need to be top two leagues previous season to get it). Currently trailing Spain, Italy and Holland.

[Gray Fox]

So essentially everyone that isn't Arsenal, Liverpool or Man City needs to cheer the English lads on for a deep run in their respective European competition now?

[Waffdon]

In other Newcastle-are-shit news, the uselessness of them and others is threatening to cost us the 5th Champions League place (you need to be top two leagues previous season to get it). Currently trailing Spain, Italy and Holland.

English teams will be in the finals of both of the lower competitions and City are guaranteed another semi final at least. They’ll be fine.

[Adramelch]

Travesty of a goal allowed against us.

[Don]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9YfIb6WcAA4dAS?format=jpg&name=small

Onana trying to make things okay is even better. Not in this day and age son :D

[Lewis]

He might get away with it if he says the other one was for Maguire.

[Gray Fox]

Chambers getting his full debut tonight. I'm hoping this is a Trent style debut out of necessity that leads to a good young player coming through..

Tsimikas is okay but that's exactly all he is.

[Baz]

Every time Tsimikas does something good it looks like a total fluke.

[Gray Fox]

The lad also looks completely fucked after about 5 mins of a game.

[Shindig]

10 months for a shit addiction. :D

[Raoul Duke]

Rofl. There has got to have been a clause in the contract with Milan that covers this sort of stuff, not that it'll help on the pitch mind.

I'd have a clause for this kinda stuff in every dealing I had with an Italian club if I was a DoF

[phonics]

Considering it would have been completely legal for Tonali to bet while he was playing for Milan but he chose to use an illegal overseas bookie instead I'm going to presume that they didn't know.

[Gray Fox]

Kelleher not covering himself in glory there.

[niko_cee]

Kelleher has been absolute shite for a while now.

Clearly content to get fat as a never needed back-up, which is a bit of a shame.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Watching Brighton v Ajax. The former are really toothless and the latter are a pub side. It's like watching one of those dire Wembley games when England play Lithuania and struggle to break them down.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Finally they take the lead after a glorious 100-pass move. Ajax have no right to playing at this level. League One standard at best.

[Gray Fox]

They're in the relegation zone in Holland and just sacked their manager. Properly dire these days.

[Don]

Mac Allister ain't getting back in to our starting XI as anything other than as the holder ahead of this beast.

[Gray Fox]

Mac Allister ain't getting back in to our starting XI as anything other than as the holder ahead of this beast.

I'm watching him and wondering what the fuck Bayern were doing not playing him.

[Don]

Egghead had him for a few seasons too :happycry:

[Gray Fox]

What an incredible assist from Nunez to Gravenberch though.

[John Arne]

Watching the highlights from last night, what on earth was Kelleher doing? The striker runs from outside the box and by the time he reaches about 12yrds out, Kelleher still in his 6yr box and essentially hasn't narrowed the angle at all.

Gravenberch looked decent.

[Ben]

Finally they take the lead after a glorious 100-pass move. Ajax have no right to playing at this level. League One standard at best.

They gave us £15m for Akpom, realised he isn't actually all that and was mainly just a by-product of Carrick's system, and have preceded to name him on the bench every game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I was quite taken aback by how horrifyingly weak they were. They played like San Marino just turning up hoping to keep the score down.

[Ben]

They're at PSV on Sunday, who have won every game so far this season. Unfortunately the handicap market is not good value.

[Ben]

Tonali in the Newcastle squad for tomorrow's game. Is this a last hurrah before FIFA ratify the ban, or is he just banned in Italy?

[Ian]

The thing I saw suggested it's just that the ban isn't in place here yet.

[Shindig]

I'm concerned justice will be served, despite the presence of Italians and any potential bribery.

[Gray Fox]

It's just been sent worldwide. Hes going to need a new hobby for 10 months.

[Shindig]

Not if we can cleverly disguise him as Toni Longstaff.

[niko_cee]

It felt a bit misguided for Newcastle to be even considering him on what could only have ever been a technicality.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Football managers don't even think like that nowadays I don't think, they're just in a bubble of 'the group'. See also Greenwood etc.

[Giggles]

It's yet another my team = ok, other team = bad. If Klopp or whoever is managing Man Utd these days did it then would be a different story. No matter what the original story was.