January Football: This Time It's 2024ier

[niko_cee]

Not that I really understand that deal as described, but aren't Ajax like bottom of the league in Holland anyway?

And as if to scotch any idea that the Saudis are in anyway shrewd operators:


Gerrard, however - who is reported to be one of the best-paid managers in the world on a salary of about £15m a year - is set to confirm he will now stay in Saudi Arabia until 2027.

:cab:

[Ben]

Nah Ajax are unbeaten since they potted the manager in October. Interim bloke going great guns, although every game is like 4-3, 3-2.

[Jimmy Floyd]

These people paid $18 million for Pat Perez, they're not exactly Warren Buffett.

[Yevrah]

Yev Sports News understands Ajax are 5th.

[Gray Fox]

Gerrards team hasn't won a game since October right?

[Gray Fox]

Turns out slating your squad isn't the way to manage things. Ask Troy Deeney.

[wullie]

We may have released him the day after the lowest moment of his professional career but you don't slag Dabo off and get away with it.

[mo]

He's got a bit of a reputation as an ego arsehole. 6 games. 29 days. Less than Liz Truss... (+ a 4 match touchline ban)

[niko_cee]

Was disappointed to learn that Forest Green aren't from the Forest Green in Surrey but are some way out west bumpkin folk.

Quite funny that there were a number of puff pieces put out across the media about No Nonsense Deeney this week.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Duncan Ferguson appointed then sacked after 18 games. Caretaker manager was a lady named Hannah. Then in came David Horseman (of the apocalypse) who lasted 27 games, now Troy Deeney in and out after six.

Who's next? Must be a close run-off between Jan Koller and the Greek god Poseidon.

[Ben]

Not a good advert for veganism.

[Danny]

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‘He wears the 14 but it won’t be happening here’ :lol:

[niko_cee]

:D

Think you have an extra '/' in the link which is making it not work.

[Waffdon]

Is Ivan Toney alright?

Or is he just a massive belter? You’d think he’s been the victim of racial abuse or something

[Ben]

He's definitely been sniffing his own farts. If he doesn't hit the ground running he will look a right mug. But he will still get a big summer move so I guess it's why a lot of footballers jump the shark with their egos when they get to a certain level, there's no downside to it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

'He wears the 14 but it won't be happening here' could not be more Dutch if it tried.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's definitely been sniffing his own farts. If he doesn't hit the ground running he will look a right mug. But he will still get a big summer move so I guess it's why a lot of footballers jump the shark with their egos when they get to a certain level, there's no downside to it.

These guys have spent their entire lives being fellated by everyone they meet, especially in this era. It's no surprise they think they are right about everything and deserve the money.

[Don]

The Hendo hype is mad. Johan must be spinning like a fucking cornered Tory to see what's become of his club, hyping a gammon so against his principles.

[Baz]

Pitch inspection at 10am for Warrington Southport :yn:

[Danny]

:D

Think you have an extra '/' in the link which is making it not work.

Well late but fixed :thbup:

[Spikey M]

Southend game has been postponed again today and I'm not sure if they're trolling the ref for postponing it or trolling the Altrincham team that came down yesterday, but I'm enjoying it.

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[Waffdon]

Arsenal really need to award their Set piece coach a massive bonus. They’d be mid table without all these goals from them

[niko_cee]

25% of their goals coming from corners is mental.

[Gray Fox]

The upper market Stoke City.

[niko_cee]

Good job Palace limped out of the cup to save players for this.

[phonics]

Gonna go abuse that HLTCO bloke on Twitter.

[Don]

Hodgson better be gone after this, one more gammon condemned to never spread his shit into our sport.

[Waffdon]

Gonna go abuse that HLTCO bloke on Twitter.

Made a career of not using the retweet button

[Lofty]

25% of their goals coming from corners is mental.

Even more mental when the majority of our corners the last 6 matches have hit the first man.

[Gray Fox]

Belter of a goal that.

[Ian]

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Love the finish but I also love how shanked the assist is. :D

[Spikey M]

Paul Scholes special.

[Don]

Toney looking like he ain't missed a minute. Chelsea/Arsenal need to do everything to get him.

[niko_cee]

I do wonder whether Toney's lack of mobility, and therefore ability to press, might not hold him back at the very top. Chelsea could do worse though, it's not like they play with any urgency anyway. Perhaps you could say the same about Arsenal.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Beautiful finish from Maupay.

[Waffdon]

I do wonder whether Toney's lack of mobility, and therefore ability to press, might not hold him back at the very top. Chelsea could do worse though, it's not like they play with any urgency anyway. Perhaps you could say the same about Arsenal.

Chelsea win the ball back in the final third more than any other team. Toney is good enough at pressing either way.

[Waffdon]

Leverkusen still unbeaten this season. 25 wins out of 27.

Spanish midfielders are quite good at this management shenanigans

[Ian]

What a shame Bayern will win the league anyway.

[Waffdon]

Wouldn’t be so sure with Tuchel in charge

[Gray Fox]

He wants Tripper in now as part of the mission for #HappyHarry.

[Waffdon]

He’ll put up Trent numbers in that league.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68046422

"Today I feel black."

[Lofty]

Totally unworkable proposals though: final day drama hinging on a single result? Just send an undercover fan to your rival's game and lob a banana on the pitch.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

West Ham were robbed at the end.

[Gray Fox]

Latest goal in PL history and then it should have been beaten a minute later.

West Ham right to be seething with that.

[Ben]

Absolutely awful standard that game.

[Gray Fox]

That VAR hasn't got involved with that is laughable.

[Manc]

No Trent, no party.

[Adramelch]

What a shame Bayern will win the league anyway.

They don't seem very keen to do that.

[Gray Fox]

Should be alright. Once Solanke gets his goal(s) we should start to play.

Key players Elliott and Nunez. Get those two playing well and the attack should cover the defence.

[Shindig]

Newcastle Women took their first league defeat of the season. That's how you know my Sunday was slow.

[Waffdon]

This game should be fairly open in the middle as neither team really have a capable defensive midfielder playing. 4231 with Christie in the midfield 2 is certainly bold

[Waffdon]

This bloke at left back for Bournemouth is definitely gonna chuck a goal or two in

[Gray Fox]

Fucking lol at that not even being a foul.

[Manc]

Peak Nunez on show.

[Gray Fox]

Very scrappy that. Feels like it'll be a late 1-0 win either way.

Just need to move the ball a bit quicker. Elliott needs to stop this trend of looking good from the bench but not when he starts.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Surprised the donkey finished that.

[Gray Fox]

Keep looking at his goal count and ignoring everything else he does.

[Waffdon]

He doesn’t create the chaos because he’s good lol

[Gray Fox]

Yeah all of those assists are just accidents.

[Waffdon]

The worst stat in football, really. You’re given an assist for passing to someone lacing it in from 30 yards.

[Don]

The problem is Nunez isn't good enough, we need a Alvarez/Jesus/Solanke/Richarlison/Hojlund/Jackson/Ings.

We're so fucking good :happycry:

[Kikó]

I agree with Waff. I'm more interested in a players xA.

[Waffdon]

Certainly a better indicator brother.

[Baz]

Some of Liverpool’s substitutions must piss off fans of other teams. So much class, and “strength in depth.” Subbing on players who would walk into the starting eleven of most other teams in the league. :drool:

City have been doing it for years, I suppose.

[Gray Fox]

TAA will become the greatest full back in the modern era, even if he is a joke defensively. 20 assists this calendar year? An absolute god.

Assists a shit barometer for a player indeed.

[Gray Fox]

Another Bournemouth fan "WAYYYY" followed immediately by a goal.

[Don]

Chucking on absolute shite gammon prospects with no physique, we're trolling the league.

[Waffdon]

Assists a shit barometer for a player indeed.

5 years ago :drool:

He’s actually creative though. Nunez isn’t so using assists to make up for him missing more chances than anyone in the league doesn’t sit right

[Baz]

How’ve you pulled that quote out? You’re as bad as Lewis. :D

[Gray Fox]

I'll defend my boy at all costs!

[Gray Fox]

Speaking of my boy.

[Don]

The tears are what we live for. Fucking idiots :D

[Danny]

Another Bournemouth fan "WAYYYY" followed immediately by a goal.

I did get a chuckle out of that.

[Gray Fox]

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:happycry:

[Adramelch]

What about pre-assists? He did get at least a couple yesterday for both of Jota's goals.

[Ben]

Just watched the highlights of the Real Madrid-Almeria game. VAR no shame in fixing the game in Real's favour. A good four questionable decisions. :D

[Luke Emia]

I think as ever with Nunez the answer is somewhere in the middle. His numbers compared to a lot of other forward players actually look pretty decent so far this season and if he ended the year with 15/20 goals and roughly the same number of assists you'd be thinking he's not done too bad.

But, realistically with the chances he has missed he should have at least 15 goals already this season and looking at a couple of the games where he has missed big chances that could have turned draws into wins and almost put us out of reach at the top of the table.

[niko_cee]

VAR has fully jumped into make up the result you want territory.

That penalty Sheffield United got yesterday was absolutely absurd and as much as I like the ruling on the field stands I'm not really sure how you don't give that one where the Bournemouth player just tripped whoever it was for Liverpool, Jota?

Then you get Calvert-Lewin's red card situation, and someone going studs up into the low shin/high ankle at force and no one bats an eyelid.

"All we want is consistency". Isn't that literally VAR's raison d'etre?

[Raoul Duke]

This Ivan Toney one where he shifts the ball into a better spot, ignoring the ref's magic pocket jizz. He's claiming you can move it a yard or so...that's not true is it?

[Kikó]

What about pre-assists? He did get at least a couple yesterday for both of Jota's goals.

Now we're talking :drool:

There is no consistency in refereeing because it's all subjective and based on the humans on that day. It always will be unless they release AI to take over. Var just amplifies it further.

[Spikey M]

VAR has fully jumped into make up the result you want territory.

That penalty Sheffield United got yesterday was absolutely absurd and as much as I like the ruling on the field stands I'm not really sure how you don't give that one where the Bournemouth player just tripped whoever it was for Liverpool, Jota?

Then you get Calvert-Lewin's red card situation, and someone going studs up into the low shin/high ankle at force and no one bats an eyelid.

"All we want is consistency". Isn't that literally VAR's raison d'etre?

Consistently bad is consistency, no?

[Jimmy Floyd]

All we ask for is consistency.

Actually, all we ask for is a solution to the yawning chasm in our mortal souls that can only be filled if our favourite team is awarded a penalty kick against Everton in round 21 of the Premier League season. But for that we need consistency.

[Waffdon]

I’m at the Chelsea-Villa game on Friday. Absolutely buzzing to witness Disasi and Colwill at full back with Chilwell at left wing. My god.

[phonics]

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[Jimmy Floyd]

Nothing sums up football better than that 14 seconds of action. A completely needless fight which both parties were keen to escalate at every opportunity.

[niko_cee]

I'm off to the Amex tonight and, other than to make it a massive ballache for me to get there on time and certainly deny me any sort of pre-match refreshment, is there any reason it is a 7.45 kick-off when pretty much every other Monday Night Football in the history of football has been an 8pm kick-off?

[Ben]

Do Brighton have a lot of commuter fans? Probably allows them to get on the last trains easier.

[niko_cee]

No one using the train is getting away from Brighton in anything like a timely manner, and I would imagine the mainline train to London would run pretty late.

Whilst trying to find an answer I came across the fact that Wolves will be wearing their all red away kit, black and gold being obviously too much of a clash with blue and white, and last year 5 Wolves fans were ejected from Molineux for homophobic gestures, 2 leading to criminal convictions. :happycry:

[niko_cee]

That said, the trains were absolutely ballbagged yesterday so that could have something to do with it if that's still the case.

[Ben]

Odd kick off times are almost always at request of the police or TV if it's not a traditional thing for Brighton. But I can't foresee a situation where Sky would demand a 7.45pm over 8pm for such a massive game.

[Raoul Duke]

Now we're talking :drool:

There is no consistency in refereeing because it's all subjective and based on the humans on that day. It always will be unless they release AI to take over. Var just amplifies it further.

Alas the AI is built by humans, who are unreliable dickheads

[Spikey M]

Even perfect AI would fall victim to INCONSISTENCIES. There's too many grey areas and there are plenty of potentially correct decisions that split opinion.

[Manc]

Every game atm seems to have at least one glaring error.

[Dark Soldier]

I find it more entertaining how anyone gives that much of a toss to debate every decision for days and weeks on fucking end. Fair play to the stamina.

[Gray Fox]

3-4 weeks from now for Salah. Egypt doctors useless. I feel like I'll accept responsibility for this one after recently praising his injury record.

[Mike]

They’ll get him on the inhalers and back on the pitch in two weeks once his plane lands in Speke.

[Gray Fox]

I'm quite surprised he isn't staying there as a glorified cheerleader. He can't exactly play for us so surely he'd be better off there as he is their captain.

[Gray Fox]

Wolves not being in gold here should see them lose by default.

[niko_cee]

Only plus point for yesterday is that they somehow, miraculously managed to schedule the game between two named storms.

Football is becoming increasingly broken. Brighton incessantly recycling the ball back to Steele from attacking positions, only for him to sit with his foot on it to draw Wolves forward, usually from their own half so they could fanny around with it at the back to try and break out with their zero pace attack was just painful to watch. The death of the number 10 and of long ranged shooting, or, in Brighton's case, any sort of shooting, are sad things for the spectator experience.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My Wolves-supporting colleague came over for a natter about the game (which, to keep life moving, I pretended I had watched based on the above review) and his view was that it was a thrilling game and Brighton played 'scarily good' football. I don't know who to believe now.

[Ben]

I'll agree with Niko on this one. Brighton can pass the ball but Wolves' gameplan was pretty perfect in terms of thwarting them. They could have easily nicked it on the break once or twice as well if they weren't fairly useless in that regard.

[Waffdon]

Yeah I watched the last 25 mins and it felt like a friendly match. Absolutely horrendous

[niko_cee]

Wolves had the better game plan and the better chances, only thwarted by Cunha going full Richarlison. Brighton play good stuff but teams are getting wise to their quick flick offloads in midfield and are anticipating them. Those offloads are also only of any use if you do something with the space rather than pause, turn around and recycle possession through the back 4 again. I know they have a lot of players out but the lack of directness or any sort of cutting or creative edge is maddening. Ferguson also looks completely hopeless now, so hopefully the big bucks move to Boehly Bridge is still on.

[Don]

Wolves are a great watch, pure ballers all over the park. O'Neill is a very good manager too for making it work, most gammons would have fallen out with the likes of Cunha/Lemina/Bellegarde for failing to keep it simple and offload the ball quickly and called them black cunts behind their backs.

[Waffdon]

Chilwell at left back and Colwill at centre back. No conor Gallagher. Oh my days.

[phonics]

I can't tell where Twitter is at. Conor Gallagher was shit and 'Enzo' was the best midfielder in the world like 3 weeks ago.

[Bam]

Wolves are a great watch, pure ballers all over the park. O'Neill is a very good manager too for making it work, most gammons would have fallen out with the likes of Cunha/Lemina/Bellegarde for failing to keep it simple and offload the ball quickly and called them black cunts behind their backs.


Golden Taz this is. :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

If we don't go through against this lot we need to fold and be merged into QPR.

[Ben]

Chilwell at left back and Colwill at centre back. No conor Gallagher. Oh my days.

Fuck. Why does it have to be tonight he finally figures it out?


If we don't go through against this lot we need to fold and be merged into QPR.

You're not wrong.

[Waffdon]

I knew it was too good to be true. He’s playing Fernandez far too fucking high. Play him deep alongside Caicedo ffs

[phonics]

Your complaint two weeks ago was that he was too deep. Do you ever consider that you're just a reactionary shit for brains?

[Dquincy]

Football is becoming increasingly broken.

That's quite a mental statement considering the volume of exciting games we've had this season in the Premier league, and other leagues for that matter.

[Waffdon]

Your complaint two weeks ago was that he was too deep. Do you ever consider that you're just a reactionary shit for brains?

Well that’s just a fucking lie.

[phonics]

Chillwell was in the middle there. Fucking Pochetino doesn't have a clue.

[Waffdon]

Chilwell has that Alonso knack of timing runs perfectly. He’d have scored about 5 against spurs in that mad game

[Dquincy]

Well that’s just a fucking lie.

The first sentence, possibly. The second, afraid not.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Was kind of hoping we might balls this up as a Liverpool final will be depressing.

If Liverpool win this, will 8th get you into yoo-rop?

[Waffdon]

Was kind of hoping we might balls this up as a Liverpool final will be depressing.

If Liverpool win this, will 8th get you into yoo-rop?

Think so.

Mudryk is certainly having a performance here and not of the good kind

[Waffdon]

Disasi looks absolutely rapid tonight. On that Liverpool juice

[Jimmy Floyd]

I find Disasi quite likeable but have absolutely no idea what he's like as a player, despite having watched him 20 odd times. He's either been filling in for our dead right backs or in a ridiculously incompatible central partnership.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We could easily get ten or twelve here if we're arsed. Tromso vibes.

[Waffdon]

Leo Casteldine 30+ mins in the second half I hope

[Ben]

This is half what I expected in the first leg. We fuck around too much at the back despite not having the players to do so.

[Shindig]

Awww. :(

[Ben]

Six years ago today. :D

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[Manc]

That Fulham team is asking a lot of Palhinha.

[niko_cee]

I find this story (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68074110) both fascinating and extremely perplexing.

Far be it from me to pick holes in their obviously good process, but it you look at City from the 14/15 season to the 23/24 season on Transfermarkt, which I assume entails the player trading period in question, they have 'turned a profit of 7m' in 1 season, the rest are player trading loss seasons, and the total balance is negative 1 billion.


Manchester City - losses of 59m euros (£51m) and Bayern Munich - losses of 61m euros (£52m) - "have the best balances among the most competitive teams" the report said.

I don't even see how the non-academy aspect of it, which is stupid in and of itself, accounts for that discrepancy. If you haven't sold them [yet] do they just not count?

Have they paid off whoever CIES is as well?

[Gray Fox]

Aren't a lot of the City charges actually relating to them not actually paying people what they have reported they are? Secret bank accounts and such for players/staff in other countries so as to top them up outside of the figures they have to report.

As for the game tonight, I know he wants to be loyal to Kelleher but for fucks sake another game of praying the other team dont have a shot on target.

[Shindig]

Yeah, there was a lot of cash in hand bollocks going on to try and prevent players and staff from leaving. Or, as it was called in the olden days, bribery.

[Waffdon]

Poppadom wrists from Leno there. For fuck sake.

[Gray Fox]

A goal and a hearty rendition of fuck the Tories before 15 minutes are up. What an evening.

[niko_cee]

Darwin is a post hitting machine.

[Waffdon]

Palhinha can’t pass the ball for the life of him. Not sure he’d have been a great signing for Bayern at all. More suited to less possession

[Luke Emia]

Gravenberch has lovely balance and ability to go past a player. If he can get some consistency he could be a very good player.

He looks a bit like Elliott though that he looks better off the bench at the minute.

[Gray Fox]

Gravenberch to me has the same issue Sexy Szobo had in that he comes from a less hectic league schedule. Another who started well but we get to late November and here comes the muscle injury.

A years worth of 'asthma treatment' and he'll be wonderful.

[niko_cee]

Joe Gomez launching thunderbolts from range is so gloriously not modern football. Fuck the analysts.

[Waffdon]

That yellow card for Cairney is utterly mental

[niko_cee]

Looked worse in real time.

[Waffdon]

If you’re blind.

[niko_cee]

Probably just lucky VAR wasn't around to find some sort of freeze frame where he was out of control and endangering an opponent.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just free your mind, Waff. I've wargamed the penalty shootout already and feel better for it. Misha Mudryk barely catches his and it dribbles into the keeper's arms. Petrovic saves from a reanimated Salah. Gallagher misses wide of the left post and Alexander-Arnold postage stamps the winner for 4-3.

[niko_cee]

Be real, you're going to lose to a Joe Gomez 40 yarder.

[Waffdon]

Just free your mind, Waff. I've wargamed the penalty shootout already and feel better for it. Misha Mudryk barely catches his and it dribbles into the keeper's arms. Petrovic saves from a reanimated Salah. Gallagher misses wide of the left post and Alexander-Arnold postage stamps the winner for 4-3.

Nunez is definitely scoring a hat trick on the break. Only 5 weeks to be able to come to terms.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'll be stunned if Fulham don't score a second.

[Gray Fox]

Joy of joys. Chelsea in a cup final again. Maybe a whole 1 goal in this one?

[niko_cee]

What's the record for number of games drawn in succession between two teams? Another shot next week, what is it, about 8 now, mostly goalless?

[Waffdon]

7 in a row if you include the cup finals.

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Carling Cup final never been as important

[Gray Fox]

7 on the bounce drawn, only 3 of those had goals in them. March 2021 for the 1-0 away win at Anfield in that period where everyone won 1-0 at Anfield for a bit.

[Waffdon]

The cup final where Mount missed two absolute sitters and Chelsea had 3 goals chopped off was sickening. I think that was the one Kepa and Kelleher were shitting it up in the shoot out before the former blasted it over.

[thommo]

Gutted, that early goal tonight took the wind our of our sails. Over the two legs it was pretty even which is a good sign, but it ultimately doesn't matter when you've narrowly missed out on the chance at a final.

[Shindig]

Finals are only good if you win them. :(

[thommo]

That's something we've never done.

[Manc]

I remember that 2010 final as if it was yesterday. A front four of Forlan, Aguero, Simao & Reyes. Woof. To think Fulham were minutes away from penalties.

[Shindig]

Yeah, that run was great. Might be the greatest thing Hodgson's ever managed. So was Middlesbrough's with all it's weird 3-2's and away goals to get them through the knockouts.

[thommo]

It's quite surreal to think back to - we didn't expect to get out of the groups and yet somehow won 3-2 in a snowy Basel to seal qualification. Ended up spunking most of my student loan following us around Europe.

[Gray Fox]

I remember both Liverpool and Fulham got Forlan'd in back to back extra times. That run got him the Liverpool job too which is unfortunately a few levels above Roys paygrade.

[Giggles]

Looks like we're taking a punt on Carsley. I'm surprised he took it.

[Gray Fox]

He's already confirmed Kelleher will play in the cup final. Throwing Chelsea a bone there.

[John Arne]

Just watched highlights of Liverpool's U18s smashing Arsenal and this Kane-Doherty from bottom Ireland looks a hell of a player.

[Waffdon]

Did Ajax not just stick 10 past Liverpool under 18s yesterday? :lol:

[-james-]

Did Ajax not just stick 10 past Liverpool under 18s yesterday? :lol:

One starter in common across the two games for Liverpool.

Harry Howell if we're getting youngsters names in for clout early doors. :nodd:

[Gray Fox]

I really hope this news I'm seeing is some kind of wind up. It's not April yet lads.

[-james-]

Klopp resigning at the end of the season. When was the last time anyone resigned?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Never pre-announce, oldest mistake in the book.

I can see where he's coming from tbh. How many trips back to the well does a man have.

[Don]

That is fucking traumatic. I don't care that we have the closest possible guarantee to a successful replacement probably lined up, this is fucking sobering.

[Boydy]

That is fucking traumatic. I don't care that we have the closest possible guarantee to a successful replacement probably lined up, this is fucking sobering.

Who's the replacement?

[John Arne]

Welcome home, Xabi.

[Lofty]

Klopp resigning at the end of the season. When was the last time anyone resigned?

Wenger.

[Don]

Xabi or Pep, presumably.

[Gray Fox]

Pep also confirmed to be leaving.

[niko_cee]

:(

Maybe they're going to co-manage Ineos United.

[Gray Fox]

His interview with the club sounds to me like either he's retiring or he's got some bad news from a doctor.

[Don]

Pep also confirmed to be leaving.

Shite.

Honestly, the success is almost secondary, I need to go from Klopp's humanity and passion to some dull emotionless chiselled-jawline H&M model? Fuck off.

[Dark Soldier]

Those caffeine pills taking their toll

[Gray Fox]

So he apparently mentioned in the summer he was thinking of doing this, then told the club in November. So you'd like to think they have a manager scouted out.

[-james-]

Never pre-announce, oldest mistake in the book.

I can see where he's coming from tbh. How many trips back to the well does a man have.

The timing is a bit weird. My guess would be they've got someone lined up, and wanted to get ahead of a leak?

[Kikó]

Ineos have him lined up.
I hope Liverpool hire poorly.

[niko_cee]

Sven?

[Waffdon]

Liverpool back to irrelevancy :drool:

No other manager is getting a tune out of that squad of players the way Klopp does. SCENES

[Gray Fox]

Klopp and all of his backroom staff announced to be leaving at once really points to either incompetence or there is someone already coming in.

[Luke Emia]

Without getting all RAWK honestly the absolute worst thing that could have happened to the club. He's the best thing that has happened to us in my lifetime let's be honest.

[Luke Emia]

Klopp and all of his backroom staff announced to be leaving at once really points to either incompetence or there is someone already coming in.

With the Madrid extension you have to wonder if it's Alonso.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The timing is a bit weird. My guess would be they've got someone lined up, and wanted to get ahead of a leak?

Yeah, or maybe FSG decided they needed to secure Alonso while he was still available and knew it would leak.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Get to fuck Jürgen.

[niko_cee]

Whoever takes the job is going to be on a serious hiding to nothing, so maybe as well go for an actual lunatic like De Zerbi rather than some polished football brand with about 18 months average level experience in management.

Maybe FSG are also selling, as has been their want previously.

[Raoul Duke]

Mourinho IN

[Don]

That season when he had to play 10th and 11th choice CBs, get battered weekly, have to deal with media and 'fans' and their shit and then his mum passing away would probably have broken any ordinary man and yet the cunt perservered, made everyone eat their own shit by turning it around and now leaves the club in a ridiculously healthy position. The statue is well-deserved.

[niko_cee]

Mourinho IN

That would be amazing.

I just had a horrible thought it might be Southgate.

[Gray Fox]

If they were wanting to sell, they've just missed their window. Doing so at the start of last season, with a club off the back of the quad attempt and a manager signed on until 2026 on paper. Stadium works well underway and a spanking new training ground.

FSG also don't seem to like a quick fix appointment since they tried it with Kenny. Rodgers was in because he was at the time seen to be a young manager with a good long term plan and attractive playstyle. Klopp the same, however he had experience of silverware with him. I would be surprised if they deviated from this plan.

[niko_cee]

That season when he had to play 10th and 11th choice CBs, get battered weekly, have to deal with media and 'fans' and their shit and then his mum passing away would probably have broken any ordinary man and yet the cunt perservered, made everyone eat their own shit by turning it around and now leaves the club in a ridiculously healthy position. The statue is well-deserved.

There have obviously been a lot of good moments, many provided by good old Divock somehow, but that Allison header against West Brom in that period is probably up there with the best.

[Raoul Duke]

Gives Salah the excuse to head off to Saudi now ("new era, fresh start" etc.) too

[Luke Emia]

Whoever takes the job is going to be on a serious hiding to nothing, so maybe as well go for an actual lunatic like De Zerbi rather than some polished football brand with about 18 months average level experience in management.

Maybe FSG are also selling, as has been their want previously.

Aye, you almost need someone to come in and be the break/failure before you can properly move on. I know it's not Wenger/Ferguson levels of length of time but he's the only manager aside from Pep realistically where the club is basically built around him. Untangling that as United and Arsenal have both found can be very messy.

[Dark Soldier]

When Alonso comes in and is a fraud gonna be glorious

[Luke Emia]

When Alonso comes in and is a fraud gonna be glorious

Maybe. But, still better than Stevie Me having a go.

[niko_cee]

I dunno. At least Gerrard doing it would be funny. Alonso's just going to be depressing for all involved.

[-james-]

Alonso is massive favourite with the bookies but it feels like it would be quite a punt. Don't Leverkusen play miseryball stuff as well?

Ange. :nodd:

[-james-]

RAWK taking it well

https://i.ibb.co/Q6zdKwH/Screenshot-2024-01-26-at-11-32-15.jpg (https://ibb.co/dQ1g5Yp)

[Giggles]

They definitely need to close it out with a title this season then.

[Giggles]

Looks like we're taking a punt on Carsley. I'm surprised he took it.

Or not, as it happens. He's surely in line to replace Southgate so he'd have been insane to jump ship now.

[Dark Soldier]

Fucking hell

https://twitter.com/ReallyNiceDerek/status/1750858742931804219?t=E3Ddd0SoRuwC_VV31xSU8A&

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Brings a tear to my eyes. Beautiful.

[Shindig]

Fandom is one hell of a drug. In equally shit news, Joelinton might be leaving.

[Spikey M]

Express it as a poem or gtfo

[Kikó]

Henderson to take over once he sorts his taxes.

[SvN]

https://files.catbox.moe/ho3uia.jpg

:lol:

[Jimmy Floyd]

'As soon as I got out of the car I literally sprinted towards his classroom' has ended me.

[Manc]

Never pre-announce, oldest mistake in the book.

Examples?

[SvN]

Fergie is the classic one.

[Lewis]

I would offer him the England job.

[Gray Fox]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEx7mkhWoAA20d1?format=jpg&name=900x900

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://files.catbox.moe/ho3uia.jpg

:lol:

Tremendous.

[Gray Fox]

Is this how the rest of the country was when the Queen died?

[Luke Emia]

Fuck me there are some mentals knocking around aren't there and I say that as someone who is gutted he's leaving.

[Giggles]

Will his last game be the Europa final then?

[Yevrah]

"How do you explain something like this to an 8 year old" is outstanding stuff. :D

[Yevrah]

So, why is he leaving then? I've just watched the 2 minute clip on the BBC website from his press conference and it might as well be a politician talking for the sense it makes.

[Giggles]

So, why is he leaving then? I've just watched the 2 minute clip on the BBC website from his press conference and it might as well be a politician talking for the sense it makes.

He's going to rock up in Saudi for an absolute ton of money.

[Dark Soldier]

Finally realised the whole fanbase are fucking nutcases and decided to leg it.

[Gray Fox]

So, why is he leaving then? I've just watched the 2 minute clip on the BBC website from his press conference and it might as well be a politician talking for the sense it makes.

He says he doesn't have the energy for it any more.

Almost the same thing happened in Dortmund and he took about half a year off before rocking up at Anfield. I'm not sure his styles play well to international management but I reckon he wont have a club job for a good year or two, if ever.

[Baz]

If Xabi Alonso is lined up as his replacement, it’s not that bad. Well it is, but that would make the best out of the situation.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The only club job suitable for him would be Barcelona.

[Spikey M]

https://files.catbox.moe/ho3uia.jpg

:lol:

Jesus. :sick:

[Spikey M]

Is this how the rest of the country was when the Queen died?

No, they just queued for 12 hours to walk past her coffin and that was actually less dramatic.

[Giggles]

The probably deserved a thread.

[niko_cee]

'As soon as I got out of the car I literally sprinted towards his classroom' has ended me.

As is my understanding of English primary schools, this would have likely led to a FULL LOCKDOWN.

[Manc]

Alonso has failure written all over it. He's clearly a student of the game, but you need character in spades to manage a club like Liverpool.

[niko_cee]

No, they just queued for 12 hours to walk past her coffin and that was actually less dramatic.

Less interesting as well though.

Well, not queue cam, I guess. All hail the queue.

[Gray Fox]

A game between Anderlecht and Genk had a big VAR error. Apparently something to do with a penalty. Genk took it to court and have won, meaning the game must now be replayed.

Big ol' can of worms opened up there.

[niko_cee]

Jurgen's legacy will be the fabled 39th game.

Replay the Spurs game, lose 10-0 and lose the league on goal difference.

Why is Chelsea - Villa tonight if it isn't on TV? Are the FA just trying to spite fans? Although I suppose Waff has made it all the way from Dundee so maybe it isn't an issue.

[Waffdon]

Can’t play tomorrow as Fulham play and they couldn’t play today or Sunday.

4 centre halves again :drool:

[Giggles]

Do the BBC not have some of these? All I'm seeing is premier sports.

[niko_cee]

ITV tonight, BBC tomorrow, ITV have Liverpool on Sunday [real cracker that one] and maybe BBC with the United game?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Having four ties on tonight is ridiculous.

I absolutely hate Friday night football. Friday nights are for unwinding, not for swearing at Malo Gusto.

[niko_cee]

Friday night football, and even Saturday lunchtime football really have unparalleled ability to ruin a weekend if you are overly invested, which is pretty much par for the course.

[Spikey M]

Liverpool would retire "manager" as a position if they had any respect.

[Giggles]

Having four ties on tonight is ridiculous.

I absolutely hate Friday night football. Friday nights are for unwinding, not for swearing at Malo Gusto.

Friday night is the only night here really, which is a pain in the hole when you don't live near the ground.

[niko_cee]

Watching Klopp's first press conference that's doing the rounds, Jesus, Premier League football manager almost ages you as badly as being Prime Minister.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

https://files.catbox.moe/ho3uia.jpg

:lol:

Sincerely, thank you for this.

[Lofty]

https://i.ibb.co/zsQcw2L/Screenshot-20240126-200439-Samsung-Internet.jpg

[niko_cee]

:D

Clearly Klopp going. Who gives a fuck about that idiot's life?

Nice to see the TV audience getting the stadium VAR experience in the Spurs game there.

[Manc]

That is some save. Vicario is him.

[niko_cee]

I have no idea how Spurs are where they are in the league this year. Every time I watch them they are absolutely dreadful.

[Mike]

Southport's local paper has had maybe the best headline about Klopp.

https://i.imgur.com/3pm7OF6.png

[Don]

The gaps in behind City's defence are mad but either it's Timo getting ignored or hideous overhit passes. On the other hand, KDB will get about 3 assists per minute against that Spurs high line. Great game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Slightly underwhelming result, I doubt we'll win at Villa Park. At least in the draw to see whether it's worth throwing everything at the replay.

[phonics]

A thrilling night of FA cup action all round

https://i.imgur.com/dWPpT2i.png

[Jimmy Floyd]

The crowd saw lots of backwards goal kicks and attempts to draw the press though so they can at least tell their grandkids about those. Plus they have a full two days free for shopping now and the fans travelling up for the replays will boost GDP.

[niko_cee]

That's probably a foul on the 'keeper. Very obviously not going to be given though.

[niko_cee]

The crowd saw lots of backwards goal kicks and attempts to draw the press

Is this a widespread phenomenon now? I've noticed Brighton doing it, but if it is spreading wider then it's worrying times. Inform the WHO, or whoever.