Football: Pogba gets his MARCHing orders (March!)

[Kikó]

Favella favella favella

[Don]

The quad would have been a tale, as it is, the EL has lost its value now. Title or nothing.

[niko_cee]

Made in Tazenham.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It reminded me of the 4-3 win over City when Michael Owen got the winner at the same end and in a not dissimilar manner.

Fergie looking like that's taken five years off him ffs.

[Lewis]

That's got to among the best United/Liverpool games of my lifetime even allowing for about an hour of it having been garbage. It is admittedly a low bar to clear as they usually have shit games against each other.

Full credit to both goalkeepers being crap and stopping it being a boring 2-1.

[Gray Fox]

Gapko completely anonymous again. The hairy Hungarian and Salah taken off too early. Way too to complacent at 2-1 up.

Not a great day at the office for Klopp.

To be fair other than his goal, Salah looked a bit crap. Szobo too. Perhaps the decision to give the latter a start on Thursday should be questioned.

[niko_cee]

The Hairy Hungarian has looked a bit useless for ages, another victim.

Probably just needs the year to get up to the speed/intensity of the league.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Mason Mount coming on made all the difference. Not sure he touched the ball, but his charisma alone inspired United on.

[Don]

Danns for Nunez should have been the sub about 5 mins before he cost the third.

[Don]

The Hairy Hungarian has looked a bit useless for ages, another victim.

Probably just needs the year to get up to the speed/intensity of the league.

Have a timeout, lad.

[Serj]

To be fair other than his goal, Salah looked a bit crap. Szobo too. Perhaps the decision to give the latter a start on Thursday should be questioned.

Nobody on the team really looked on it, I thought. Endo/van Dijk/MacAllister weren't terrible but that's about it.

[Dark Soldier]

Gonna be class when the final season of the greatest manager ever to grace anyone's life ends with just a League Cup win.

[Waffdon]

Have a timeout, lad.

He is there to run up and down. Which is fine under Klopp but shows the state of football

[Manc]

City nailed on for another treble.

[Giggles]

Gonna be class when the final season of the greatest manager ever to grace anyone's life ends with just a League Cup win.

Doesn’t anyone really think he won’t be there next season? He’s just done that to secure the league.

[Don]

He is there to run up and down. Which is fine under Klopp but shows the state of football

Absolutely, he is to midfield what Haaland is to attack.

[Gray Fox]

I also feel like that kind of game would benefit of a Xabi Alonso appointment. United had no answer when Liverpool were playing the short passes around the 60th minute, they just didn't bother to go for goal. When they started the ultra direct passes again United came back into it. I believe 3 of the 4 goals came on the counter?

[Waffdon]

Pochettino probably going to luck out and get Coventry but would much rather have City in the semis than a final. Would be about 8 domestic finals lost in a row :D

[Lewis]

Is this what the FA Cup semi-final draw is now? Decline.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I was sure Man City were going to get Coventry.

[Gray Fox]

Needs more Rod Stewart.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I guess we'll have to wait for the final to show Coventry who we are.

[Don]

Coventry in the final. Scenes.

[Manc]

Give it a rest.

[Waffdon]

Hopefully city go to extra time with Madrid a few days before the game.

Chelsea don’t lose semis so an FA Cup for Man Utd or Coventry it is

[wullie]

With Oxford, Maidstone and now this, I worry people are going to dismiss our second FA Cup win as being helped by the draw.

[Baz]

How you picking on Onana, you tory cunt, he's been their best player for the last few months ffs.Mainoo.

Also, Tory? :cab:

[Don]

Give it a rest.

Edit: not you, tory cunt.

[Waffdon]

Lol at Klopp losing his head at that reporter. True colours showing once again :wub:

[Giggles]

Lol at Klopp losing his head at that reporter. True colours showing once again :wub:

I don’t believe you, he’s the happy-go-lucky man of the people.

[Giggles]

That absolute shit show hopefully stops this Irish Liverpool (fuck me) fan push that Kelleher should replace Bazunu. That last goal looked like he was on the take.

[niko_cee]

What did he do? You get the impression from his moaning about it that he would stay if they told him he'd never have to do another 'presser' or interview ever again. Can they not get Michael Edwards or some other twat to do that?

[Waffdon]

Said the reporter was out of shape and stormed off

[niko_cee]

:D

Maybe I should watch more Viaplay interviews [who the fuck are they?] or whoever else gets to be last in the line for questioning.

[Waffdon]

Think it was a German reporter but could be wrong. Don’t think it was any official one.

Search Trabzonspor on Twitter for some lolz

[niko_cee]

What, was it not even in English? No wonder he's fucking off with saddos like the people at the express turning that into some sort of scandal story.

Probably passes for humour in the fatherland.

[niko_cee]

Search Trabzonspor on Twitter for some lolz

What's going on there then? They going for a reverse Souness and then being run out of the stadium?

[randomlegend]

What, was it not even in English? No wonder he's fucking off with saddos like the people at the express turning that into some sort of scandal story.

Probably passes for humour in the fatherland.

It was in English.

[SvN]

Fair play to Ten Hag for throwing caution to the wind and going for it today. Wasn't always pretty, especially the second half, but his subs in extra time took courage, and they paid off.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I loved Bruno and Eriksen basically playing as ball playing defenders with Maguire up top.

We should do it more often.

[Ben]

Search Trabzonspor on Twitter for some lolz

Batshuayi with an outstanding spinning heel kick.

[phonics]

Ten Hag is still talking about that Arsenal game. Incredible stuff.

[niko_cee]

Batshuayi with an outstanding spinning heel kick.

Is he the one who effortlessly evades the lunging slide tackle whilst running off?

[Giggles]

Ten Hag is still talking about that Arsenal game. Incredible stuff.

Are you the new somehowabout?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fair play to Ten Hag for throwing caution to the wind and going for it today. Wasn't always pretty, especially the second half, but his subs in extra time took courage, and they paid off.

He strikes me as a bit of a cup manager, in the sense that he'll only try anything outside the process when there's a visible threat of being knocked out. He could do with bringing some of that cornered tiger stuff to league games.

Another way of saying he's a Dutch autist / Dutch.

[phonics]

Are you the new somehowabout?
1769454863035875441

Quite literally. That game was like 8 months ago.

[Ben]

Forest deducted four points. Puts them one point below Luton in 18th.

I'd say they're favourites for that third relegation spot now. They look utter dogshit all round, whereas Luton have a bit about them mentally despite being average footballers.

[Waffdon]

A Datro Fofana inspired Burnley to make the great escape

[niko_cee]

When do Everton get their next deduction?

[Manc]

Forest will be fine. Luton not so much.

[Adramelch]

whereas Luton have a bit about them mentally despite being average footballers.

Not sure about that. They've squandered many an opportunity the last month or so.

[Lofty]

When do Everton get their next deduction?

After the last games of the season which are teed up to be relegation six pointers :D

[Shindig]

Aye, as much fight as Luton have shown, they never look like holding on to a winning position. Aside from when they beat us, anyway. :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

I want Forest gone, that Greek bloke is an absolute criminal.

[Ben]

Not sure about that. They've squandered many an opportunity the last month or so.

Squandered because they're shit. But really they're still overperforming and that's down to good management. They should be 19th at best.

[Don]

Aritificially manufacturing a relegation race was always going to be the only way there was going to be any excitement, thanks to the deficiencies of the promoted three.

[Adramelch]

Squandered because they're shit. But really they're still overperforming and that's down to good management. They should be 19th at best.

While that's true, I do think it's also more down to throwing caution to the wind than them being mentally stronger if I'm honest.

[Danny]

1769655361458393337

[Shindig]

Jesus, they're really taking that one personally. :D

[Manc]

Palace could be in trouble looking at the fixtures.

[Waffdon]

First time ever there’s been no Ajax players in the Dutch squad.

Still one in England’s, mind. :lol:

[Shindig]

29 years. Not first time ever.

[Luke Emia]

1769655361458393337

Imagine getting that angry over a free-kick.

[Luke Emia]

Walked into the office today to get some shit from a United fan who called me a scouse rat and started actually singing the Park Ji-Sung song. Never been to Old Trafford either.

Obviously I’ve not heard a word from him all season. All I could say to him was ‘we are nearly 40…’

[Jimmy Floyd]

The Wolves fan in my office put on the teams chat this morning that he was 'working from home, as I've had a crappy weekend'. Every single part of it against company protocol and every single person has decided that it's just because Wolves lost to Cov.

[randomlegend]

Walked into the office today to get some shit from a United fan who called me a scouse rat and started actually singing the Park Ji-Sung song. Never been to Old Trafford either.

Obviously I’ve not heard a word from him all season. All I could say to him was ‘we are nearly 40…’

:lol:

[Don]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67236539

Wednesday 19:45 Viaplay 1 :cool:

Just looked at the Brazil squad and beside lolling at the general state of affairs, I was surprised to see Vini has 3 goals in 26 caps.

[Manc]

Don't ask me how I know this, but San Marino have recently lost both thier 1st and 2nd choice goalkeeper to retirement. That first win could be some while yet.

[Don]

The opposition are also comprised of Romaine Sawyers + 25 geezers with names straight out of the latest Lewisham crime report. Andre, Kwame, Malique, Omari, De'quan. This ain't the effeminate pretty-boys from Finland and Denmark no longer.

[Ben]

IFAB offside trial. What the fuck.

https://i.imgur.com/pj6G3k4.jpeg

[Spikey M]

:D

[niko_cee]

Ah, the DAYLIGHT rule rises again.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The offside rule is one of life's miracle pieces of genius, the last thing it needs is changing materially.

[wullie]

The Wolves fan in my office put on the teams chat this morning that he was 'working from home, as I've had a crappy weekend'. Every single part of it against company protocol and every single person has decided that it's just because Wolves lost to Cov.

One Wolves fan with us at work wasn't in yesterday, although I believe it was pre-planned as he's very much in the take it or leave it side of football support. Instead I get to contend with another round of people suddenly messaging on Teams out of nowhere trying to hide that they're clearly angling at the possibility of Wembley tickets.

[Ben]

1770021511987929232
phonics

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:lol:

[niko_cee]

:D

He's not wrong.

Remember when they had the best front three in world football?

[Raoul Duke]

That was the Matralux db edit, I believe

[Shindig]

Not to mention the edits to skin tone because Eboue wasn't black enough, or something.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Not to mention the edits to skin tone because Eboue wasn't black enough, or something.

She had to make it more realistic.

[niko_cee]

Reading on the beeb about Ethan Ampadu becoming the youngest ever to 50 caps for Wales there was mention made of Ben Woodburn. Now there's a blast from the past. Well, as much as a 24 year-old can be described as such.

[Danny]

There is an alternate reality where he is leading the line for Liverpool and Adnan Januzaj (how is he 29….) is United’s star man.

[Shindig]

Rhian Brewster obviously partnering Woodburn up front.

[John Arne]

The Indonesia team to face Vietnam is likely to include 9 player in the starting XI born outside Indonesia.

https://gyazo.com/416655712f3e1dceb59b99786d9500b8.joeg

[Danny]

Southgate seeing the error of his ways. Mainoo into the full squad.

[Lofty]

Walked into the office today to get some shit from a United fan who called me a scouse rat and started actually singing the Park Ji-Sung song. Never been to Old Trafford either.

Obviously I’ve not heard a word from him all season. All I could say to him was ‘we are nearly 40…’

https://youtu.be/xN1WN0YMWZU?si=ODfjAvhEO4yE9cnc

[niko_cee]

The Sirs want Gareth Southgate Badger in at United. Michael Edwards do not take note.

[Gray Fox]

Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips to follow?

[Kikó]

The Sirs want Gareth Southgate Badger in at United. Michael Edwards do not take note.

No they don't.

[niko_cee]

One can dream.

They'll be all in once he becomes Sir Waistcoat.

[phonics]

1770082382047006770

The state of those goalies names. We used to be a country.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My lot played (3rd XI league) cricket against Spike Brits last year. He was concerned about not damaging his hands during the game because he was going up to meet Pep the following week ahead of signing for City. How about not playing cricket then you idiot.

[Shindig]

Whatmuff deserves to make it with that name. :D

[John Arne]

Spike Brits name is even more pleasing to pronounce when you discover that he is half Saffer.

[Baz]

Spike Brits wouldnt sign for me on loan [on FM] for about four seasons running so he can get lost.

[phonics]

Also isn't Josh King like 27 and played for Bournemouth? I swear he got linked to United and then teleported to another dimension.

[Kikó]

Yes there's only one Josh King on the planet.

[Danny]

This one is English too.

[Gray Fox]

I see Botman has torn his ACL now. Newcastle paying their good season back from last year and then some.

[Shindig]

Awww. In other news, I didn't spot Rafa got sacked from Celta. What a fall that's been.

[Adramelch]

Courtois also picked a new injury in training and will be out for the season.

[Don]

St Kitts wiped the floor with the Sammarinese soft boys. More notably, an 18 year old from the Liverpool U18 side debuted for St Kitts. Well played that lad. I suspect it may be the beginnings of the decline for the English/French as the odds of the next Bellingham/Mbappe opting for their non-genocidal African side only increases with time.

[Shindig]

So Leicester are now facing a possible points deduction. How does that work? This investigation is by the Premier League so, assuming they go up, does that mean they start at a deficit? Do they have the reach to deduct points from this season's total before the EFL finish their investigation?

[Gray Fox]

I assume it'll be the next time they're in the league they get deducted the arbitrary amount of points they decide.

[Ben]

Surely it can't be long before FFP is fucked off. Utterly ridiculous.

[Shindig]

It's horribly slow to act. What you need is for Premier League meddling in every transfer so punishments can be dished out as they happen. No club would allow that kind of scrutiny.

[Gray Fox]

Funnily enough, it's being heavily redacted in the summer.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Final qualifiers in the week: Wales v Poland, Ukraine v Iceland, Georgia v Greece. Would quite like to see Greece get through as it would mean a Greece v Turkey game (sorry Napoli guy), not too fussed about the other two.

[niko_cee]

Surely it can't be long before FFP is fucked off. Utterly ridiculous.

1 week before the whole City business is due to be heard.

[Don]

Shame about Iceland absolutely raping the genocidal cunts.

[wullie]

Haji Wright scoring late winners for the US after being called off holiday to join the squad. Look at my beautiful boy go

[niko_cee]

Take note Jurgen. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68630567)

Think Guernsey had a similarly insane end to the season in one of the early years of their existence. Yeah, 16 games in April 2013 (https://guernseyfc.com/results/2012-13) [and 4 in 4 days in May :cab:] and still got promoted. :cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Surely they should just be relegated if they don't have a ground suitable for league play. Isn't there another pitch somewhere in or around Truro they can use? A school or college field?

[Ben]

It's pretty astounding how badly run clubs even at National League level are. A guy I work with moonlighted as Darlington's centre back for a few years and he'd often tell us what a shambles the basics behind the scenes are.

[SvN]

Take note Jurgen. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68630567)

Think Guernsey had a similarly insane end to the season in one of the early years of their existence. Yeah, 16 games in April 2013 (https://guernseyfc.com/results/2012-13) [and 4 in 4 days in May :cab:] and still got promoted. :cool:

Matt Le Tiss joined them to help them out with the fixture congestion :D A single substitute appearence suggests he might not have had it anymore, aged 44.

[Jimmy Floyd]

One of my fellow umpires on the Surrey panel is the general manager of Carshalton Athletic, who I guess are a division below Conference South, indeed Google tells me they're running sixth in the Isthmian Prem at the moment. When he told me he was the general manager, I was imagining some kind of structure where there are at least a few part-time employees doing stuff alongside and below him. No - he, the general manager, literally does everything. Sweeps the stands, gets the pitch ready, runs the entire junior setup and arranges coaches / pitches / equipment for said, which is like 500 boys and girls with a fairly harsh trial process to get into it. He does all the janitor type stuff, maintenance of the ground, community outreach, marketing, ticketing, you name it, he does it. He works about an 80 hour week in the season and is paid fuck all. The reason he's paid fuck all (like, coffee shop wages) is that every single penny that comes into the club is spent immediately on men's first team, and he has to fight tooth and nail to get anything for the kiddos or facilities or basically any budget away from that. When you think that every non-league club is probably run on this basis, it's amazing they don't all fold.

[thommo]

Surely they should just be relegated if they don't have a ground suitable for league play. Isn't there another pitch somewhere in or around Truro they can use? A school or college field?

It's not really Truro's fault here. They've moved to three other grounds that just can't cope. Taunton Town, who are now hosting them, are similarly in the shit and have to cram in 11 games in the next 28 days.

[Luke Emia]

TNT 3 has Norfolk’s best team on right now.

Not only where Lynn play but also the pitch I graced when I was man of the match in the TGWU cup final.

[Lewis]

One of my fellow umpires on the Surrey panel is the general manager of Carshalton Athletic, who I guess are a division below Conference South, indeed Google tells me they're running sixth in the Isthmian Prem at the moment. When he told me he was the general manager, I was imagining some kind of structure where there are at least a few part-time employees doing stuff alongside and below him. No - he, the general manager, literally does everything. Sweeps the stands, gets the pitch ready, runs the entire junior setup and arranges coaches / pitches / equipment for said, which is like 500 boys and girls with a fairly harsh trial process to get into it. He does all the janitor type stuff, maintenance of the ground, community outreach, marketing, ticketing, you name it, he does it. He works about an 80 hour week in the season and is paid fuck all. The reason he's paid fuck all (like, coffee shop wages) is that every single penny that comes into the club is spent immediately on men's first team, and he has to fight tooth and nail to get anything for the kiddos or facilities or basically any budget away from that. When you think that every non-league club is probably run on this basis, it's amazing they don't all fold.

Surely any business can survive if they have a mug/mugs like that running themselves into the ground for it. Look at North Korea.

[Giggles]

Unsurprisingly, changing managers doesn't make us any less shite.

[Shindig]

Gordon starts. Brazil won't know what to do with a man that falls over.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Improvement from Brazil in that I've only heard of one of their back five, but the midfield is a disgrace, and only a modest name improvement on the bench. Bruno Guimaraes and Joao Gomes in midfield, embarrassing, those names should be playing for Portugal.

No doubt they're playing in all blue or some other monstrosity.

[Manc]

Sven. :(

[niko_cee]

Not looking well or has he died in the dugout?

[Spikey M]

1771598556807197063?t=R18nusJk9JYfqbnSyE7rCQ&s=19

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

:D

[Bernanke]

Sven. :(

Legit teared up seeing it. :(

[Spikey M]

Why are the crowd booing Gordon?

[niko_cee]

Do we really not have a better leftback available than Ben Chilwell? He's absolute shit and it's not even like he some sort of Southgate hard-on inducing defensive clogger.

The number of sketchy challenges Brazil are being allowed to put in is interesting.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's decent at the sharp end, which when you're playing Anthony Gordon as a sort of Dachau Dirk Kuyt is probably needed.

Truly dreadful game, this.

[Spikey M]

I've just got back from an absolutely dreadful 0-0 vs Woking. I could really do without another.

[niko_cee]

Ditto Maguire. Dear lord how long will we have to suffer him?

[Baz]

Do we really not have a better leftback available than Ben Chilwell? He's absolute shit and it's not even like he some sort of Southgate hard-on inducing defensive clogger.

The number of sketchy challenges Brazil are being allowed to put in is interesting.Gomez

[Jimmy Floyd]

What is the legit best central defensive pair at the moment?

[Spikey M]

Chilwell is dropping an absolute disasterclass.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I take that back about Chilwell, that cross attempt merits 25 years behind bars.

[niko_cee]

He's decent at the sharp end


Really? Really?


What is the legit best central defensive pair at the moment?

I don't know but it doesn't involve Harry fucking Maguire, who seems to have repaid Southgate's faith by being a liability for most of the past two years or longer, Christ. It's just odd. Like he's gone past the point of being selected on principle to just being undroppable in any circumstances. Lewis Dunk is a better left centre-half than any of the other English options, but like young Jack Hinshelwood [ok injured at the moment], there is no clamour for him to play, at any level, as there is for anyone who plays a half decent game for a big team.

If Joe Gomez is the answer to any of our defensive issues we should probably give up.

[Waffdon]

Dunk is utter tripe

[Ben]

15 fouls from Brazil in 50 minutes lol.

[Raoul Duke]

Do we really not have a better leftback available than Ben Chilwell? He's absolute shit and it's not even like he some sort of Southgate hard-on inducing defensive clogger.

The number of sketchy challenges Brazil are being allowed to put in is interesting.

Luke Shaw is miles out in front, but alas crippled all the time

[niko_cee]

Dunk is utter tripe

He's better than Maguire. It's a low bar.


Luke Shaw is miles out in front, but alas crippled all the time

A sorry state of affairs.

I'm sure we had loads of class left backs and no right backs at one point.

[Raoul Duke]

The Cole/Bridge era was probably peak LB. Now we have 27 RBs for some reason

[niko_cee]

The middle of defence is a bigger concern. We don't actually have any good ones, do we? Another historical anomaly/point of shame. Is that Branthwaite kid at Everton up to it yet?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Konsa hasn't ballsed up for 20 minutes here so I'm anointing him, in a different position.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lol, clearly a 15 minutes dictat from Sir Dave Brailsford.

[Raoul Duke]

Rice, Mainoo and Bellingham should be the starting midfield in the Euros

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Rice, Mainoo and Bellingham should be the starting midfield in the Euros

Not enough Henderson there, mate.

[Raoul Duke]

How were they not offside then? Looked like they were both miles off

[Jimmy Floyd]

That goal is why Mainoo will never be anywhere near a Southgate team, and probably rightly. You need two big beefy lads to clog up the channels in front of our collapsible defence.

[Jimmy Floyd]

How were they not offside then? Looked like they were both miles off

Obvs, but this officiating team hasn't been serious all night and far side lino's career is now over (you don't come back from that kind of mistake at FIFA level).

[phonics]

He wasn’t offside and then the goal scorer was behind the ball.

[Raoul Duke]

He wasn’t offside and then the goal scorer was behind the ball.

From the first pass, they both looked off.

From the shot/goal, no that part of the play was fine

[niko_cee]

That goal is why Mainoo will never be anywhere near a Southgate team, and probably rightly. You need two big beefy lads to clog up the channels in front of our collapsible defence.

No mention will be made. Pure brilliant Cruyff turn in space for no gain, love to see it, plays with no fear.

Not that he had anything to do with that goal.

Guess we're all in on Bellingham or Kane doing something, as, unless we can steal Arsenal's set piece coach we have absolutely no chance of formulating a coherent style of play, in what feels like decades that badger has been in charge.

[randomlegend]

I actually hate Southgate with a passion.

He has singlehandedly ruined what should have been by far the most entertaining England squad of my life.

Fucking prick.

[Jimmy Floyd]

No mention will be made. Pure brilliant Cruyff turn in space for no gain, love to see it, plays with no fear.

Not that he had anything to do with that goal.

Guess we're all in on Bellingham or Kane doing something, as, unless we can steal Arsenal's set piece coach we have absolutely no chance of formulating a coherent style of play, in what feels like decades that badgers has been in charge.

He's a cracking player (Mainoo) but using cracking players isn't how Southgate operates, there's no point even discussing it, it's the same way fans (who value thrilling football over percentage football) get burned by professional football managers - whose job is NOT to entertain, even if we want it to be - year after year. You can see he's absolutely desperate to have Hendo back in and short of that he's going Gallagher which is basically Hendo without the passing range/pedigree. We should all save ourselves the pain.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I actually hate Southgate with a passion.

He has singlehandedly ruined what should have been by far the most entertaining England squad of my life.

Fucking prick.

Fortunately most of the best players are still very young so there's plenty of time for the FA to make a bold and adventurous appointment... oh sorry, maybe not. Four more years.

[niko_cee]

He's a cracking player (Mainoo) but using cracking players isn't how Southgate operates, there's no point even discussing it, it's the same way fans (who value thrilling football over percentage football) get burned by professional football managers - whose job is NOT to entertain, even if we want it to be - year after year. You can see he's absolutely desperate to have Hendo back in and short of that he's going Gallagher which is basically Hendo without the passing range/pedigree. We should all save ourselves the pain.

“The most important job of football is entertaining the people,” said ???????

[Jimmy Floyd]

Said someone who was correct but also wasn't the person handing out coaching contracts. These guys are paid to win, don't win and they're out, end of story. The problem is that Southgate thinks that this, which probably was his best method of winning with the 2018 squad, is still so - it's clearly not the path to victory with 2024's crop, but there we are.

[Manc]

Gordon with the only positive performance.

[niko_cee]

Said someone who was correct but also wasn't the person handing out coaching contracts. These guys are paid to win, don't win and they're out, end of story. The problem is that Southgate thinks that this, which probably was his best method of winning with the 2018 squad, is still so - it's clearly not the path to victory with 2024's crop, but there we are.

T'was Jurgen.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If he took the England job the scousers will never get over it, so it's a yes from me.

[Lewis]

1771552482998571500

:harold:

[niko_cee]

International manager Klopp is an interesting one. For years he seemed like a 'system' coach who was all about drilling specific patterns of play into his teams, which seemed disastrous as an international management concept, but lately he's definitely seemed more of a leader of men type character, which I guess he always was, which could work. Not for England though, Gareth is NEVER going to leave.

[niko_cee]

1771552482998571500

:harold:

The ultimate culmination of covid rage, opportunism and administrative stupidity.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That music sounds like it's from a doc about 9/11, not some pissheads forcing their way past a chain-link barrier.

[Shindig]

"Mr. President, a ticketless red just hit the Pentagon."

[Gray Fox]

One cannot be a good Liverpool manager and also a good England manager.

[niko_cee]

How many good England managers have there been? Bobby Robson and that's it? Alf anti-football Ramsay?

[Giggles]

Venables was decent was he?

[niko_cee]

In fairness Sven was pretty good.

Venables was trash.

[Giggles]

You've Big Sams 100% win record too.

[Jimmy Floyd]

With English football, the FA and the tabloid media being what they are, it's a role that you just cannot take risks in, ever. The FA I think genuinely keep Southgate on because he's a nice uncontroversial, semi-woke figure that won't annoy the corporates. If they appointed, say, Sean Dyche (which they absolutely should, it would be amazing) you've taken M&S off the peg before you've started. I mean, look at this lineup of legends:

https://www.thefa.com/about-football-association/our-partners

You'd be down to just National Express, Weetabix and Wrigley's Extra in minutes.

[Shindig]

I just wonder what it would take to sack him. We're always gonna qualify so a group exit is probably what it'll take. In a world where 3 from 4/5 go through, that's a tough ask.

[niko_cee]

A doom spiral of mediocrity.

[Raoul Duke]

One cannot be a good Liverpool manager and also a good England manager.

Roy has entered the chat

[Don]

This is his last tourney. The patience has worn out and the "ah we're shit so no expectations" stance of supporters is long gone.

If Mainoo or Branthwaite don't get a start against Belgium one suspects that's their hopes of starting at Euros over which is lol.

[Shindig]

Gateshead just about hanging in the play-off race. 7 games left sitting in 6th after a 3-2 win over Altrincham. Chesterfield are 21 points clear at the top. :|

[niko_cee]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68649991

:D

Wasn't he lauded as some sort of rising star in the [as we know super important] world of football admin quite recently? Oops.

[Don]

Speaking from personal experience, achieving industry leadership in football talent evaluation while navigating the complexities of political correctness is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable accomplishments in human endeavor. If they ever pin down the man behind Real Madrid's recruitment for an interview, it'll be like Frost/Nixon.

[Don]

James Trafford being called up to the main squad is lol. Geezer has pretty much singlehandedly relegated Burnley this year.

[Ben]

Hasn't Kompany just dropped him as well? :facepalm:

[John Arne]

FIFA have announced that the U17 World Cup will be held annually from 2035, Qatar and Morocco will share the hosting rights for the first 5 editions. They can't do anything right, can they?

[niko_cee]

Today I feel richer.

Aint going to be no playful updates on the FIFA flag.

In other news i find it a bit odd that Forest had their apparent 6 point penalty reduced to 4 for early plea/cooperation, but are now appealing that decision. Isn't it an inherent part of a plea deal that you accept the punishment? If their appeal is unsuccessful the deduction should be upped.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Morocco is probably a good host for a winter tournament as it's in the centre of the world, good weather and not too much of a flight for most teams.

[igor_balis]

FIFA have announced that the U17 World Cup will be held annually from 2035, Qatar and Morocco will share the hosting rights for the first 5 editions. They can't do anything right, can they?

I know FIFA corruption shouldn't be shocking, but I can't help but be quite shocked by how brazen it's been recently.

[SincereTheRebel]

Parking near wembley. Can you pay a local hotel to park on their car park if they have one?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Usually just hotel guests.

Would be cheaper to use JustPark. I've used them when going to an NFL match.

Was able to park on some guy's driveway about 5 minutes walk away.

[niko_cee]

Is this for football?

I parked here once, but it will probably be fully booked/mad busy/unavailable if you're looking to go there tongiht.

https://i.ibb.co/hfdrKDp/wembley.png (https://ibb.co/BN6vgq8)

[SincereTheRebel]

Usually just hotel guests.

Would be cheaper to use JustPark. I've used them when going to an NFL match.

Was able to park on some guy's driveway about 5 minutes walk away.

JustPark will do. thanks.

[SincereTheRebel]

It better be Rice, Mainoo and Bellingham as the THREE

[Manc]

Belgium's Tintin effort is phenomenal.

[niko_cee]

What is this kit?

[Shindig]

Does that make them easily susceptible to bonks on the head?

[-james-]

Trouble in Tbilisi part 2. :(

[niko_cee]

:lol:

[Luke Emia]

It better be Rice, Mainoo and Bellingham as the THREE

Don’t make much difference when you’ve got old T-Rex arms in goal.

[niko_cee]

Big Tone. :cool:

You just know he's going to miss one in a shootout. :(

What's the betting equivalent of the doing a line celebration?

[niko_cee]

Take it back, you've had a mare there Lewis.

What a cross though.

[Raoul Duke]

Shouldn't have even been a chance if that giant spastic wasn't flailing around and cleared it instead

[CJay]

The Poland Lewandowski issue is only getting worse as he ages. He is literally doing his team harm so far tonight. Just absolutely zero mobility about him.

Wales look decent but little in the way of cutting edge.

[Yevrah]

England game is wank so moving across to Wales. Is there a way to watch it without the commentary being in Welsh?

[Ben]

ViaPlay Sports 2 if you have access through nefarious means.

[niko_cee]

England game is wank so moving across to Wales. Is there a way to watch it without the commentary being in Welsh?

So many positives to take though.

It's so tiresome hearing about them all.

The badness of our back 5 is genuinely upsetting.

[Waffdon]

I can’t believe Lyndon Dykes and Liam Cooper still get call ups. God, we’re horrendous

[Ben]

Chilwell is absolutely dreadful.

[Giggles]

God I hope a goal sorts Ferguson out, if he ever actually gets another one. He's like a lost sheep.

[Yevrah]

ViaPlay Sports 2 if you have access through nefarious means.

Needs to be on the tv, so back to England we go. Still, at least I now know there's something worse than watching England.

[niko_cee]

Should have cashed in last summer.

:(

Any half decent team are going to sit back and counter us to death, we're so bad 'in transition' without the ball.

[Giggles]

Should have cashed in last summer.

:(

Any half decent team are going to sit back and counter us to death, we're so bad 'in transition' without the ball.

He looks like when James Collins used to get a game for us.

[Waffdon]

Bellingham doesn’t even play in centre mid. He’s like Harry Kane when he drops deep. No wonder Southgate likes the Phillips/Rice combo

[Luke Emia]

These two results could well be a disaster for the summer. I know players are out but just makes you think that he will sink back into ever more defensive football once everyone is fit.

[Waffdon]

Doku kind of looks like Beetlejuice

[Dave.]

Don’t make much difference when you’ve got old T-Rex arms in goal.

The criticism of Pickford in goal for England is just bizarre.

He hasn't made one mistake leading to a goal for England in a major tournament. In important matches, he has been a player we can rely on.

[Manc]

He's definitely got ADHD. Not ideal for his position.

[Dave.]

He's definitely got ADHD. Not ideal for his position.

Yep, not ideal you'd have thought.

I just read that today was first error leading to a goal in an England shirt in 60 matches. That shows it probably doesn't matter.

[Shindig]

So I looked at the thread and then looked at the result. A draw against Belgium doesn't sound like a catastrophe.

[CJay]

Dan James missing that penalty was a sure thing.

[SvN]

It felt so obvious, didn't it?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Must be a weird feeling. Him kicking that ball the wrong way means tens of thousands of people change their summer plans, probably a reasonable hit to the Welsh economy this summer. A few struggling pubs will probably have to close down because of it.

On the plus side, Michael Sheen will have to shut up for a bit.

[Lewis]

That Lukaku cross was the best thing he's done in years. I don't know whether it was Jose Mourinho (in that game where he went and donned Arsenal with a back seven, and possibly other times) or Belgium who had him doing it first, but he should definitely have embraced being an ungainly right-winger when Ole Gunnar Binman suggested it instead of spitting his dummy.

[Spikey M]

Must be a weird feeling. Him kicking that ball the wrong way means tens of thousands of people change their summer plans, probably a reasonable hit to the Welsh economy this summer. A few struggling pubs will probably have to close down because of it.

On the plus side, Michael Sheen will have to shut up for a bit.

You should go on Instagram and direct message him with this. I reckon you'd break him.

[Lofty]

James or Sheen?

[niko_cee]

I saw a bit of Rhys Ifans rabble rousing speech to the Welsh team the other day and, whilst I'm sure it wasn't, due to his being an actor it all felt a bit put on. Couldn't help but think that the players must generally think these things are a bit odd as they are made to sit and watch him pace around like some Brian Clough of the Valleys type figure.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You have to be a particular kind of small time. Not even Scotland would resort to sending actors into the dressing room.

[niko_cee]

Maybe they should think about sending Rab C in for the Euros, if he's still alive. I'm thinking that's unlikely.

[wullie]

Rab's alive and kicking but Jamesie Cotter is now in his 80s, so any day now

[thommo]

I saw a bit of Rhys Ifans rabble rousing speech to the Welsh team the other day and, whilst I'm sure it wasn't, due to his being an actor it all felt a bit put on. Couldn't help but think that the players must generally think these things are a bit odd as they are made to sit and watch him pace around like some Brian Clough of the Valleys type figure.

But the Welsh lap it up; they absolutely love it and use it as some sort of affirmation of their love of the country, a Liverpool-lite if you will, claiming that it means more to them.

And it's the same regarding how hard they wank off their national anthem - there is only so many times I can see a Twitter post clipping the crowd singing it with the caption "GOOSEBUMPS! *heart emoji*".

[Giggles]

Sounds like something we'd do.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The only cringier nation than Wales for this sort of thing is Australia. *invokes mock accent* Under the southern cross I stand, a sprig of wattle in my hand... *tears of passion*

[Waffdon]

Romeo Lavia won’t be back for the rest of the season. 30 mins playing time in 11 months time is an great effort.

I don’t even know what his initial injuries were. Missing 6 months from December onwards for a thigh issue is some going

[niko_cee]

Surprised 'thrusting' still makes it into the BBC style guide in 2024.

https://i.ibb.co/drpS0x1/Thrusting.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

[Kikó]

They thought they would romp to victory. Maybe some xG boffins can explain it.

[niko_cee]

I see Robertson got injured on international duty again, not having a good year him.

Probably makes Goe Jomez a shoe-in for a leftback role for England. :uhoh:

[Kikó]

https://twitter.com/AndyMitten/status/1773268260550533502?t=mNxtdzmPktrlqPv2V2jcLA&s=19

wullie

[wullie]

Among the people tagged in replies to that there's one intelligent writer and several banter dickheads, his odds aren't looking good.

[Kikó]

I was suggesting you 😍

[Jimmy Floyd]

Wullie's never heard of the Specials, he prefers marching band music and Acker Bilk.

[wullie]

Me and the other oompah lads are hopefully sitting together at Wembley to make it a real humdinger.

[Gray Fox]

Milan with the heist of the century on Newcastle it seems.

[niko_cee]

Good grief.

Not sure that's the mob you want to be screwing over though.

[Luke Emia]

Why did he not come clean at the point he was charged by the Italian FA get it all out in the open and then hope for some leniency? Either he's being very poorly advised or he went to the FA and they told him to piss off and are now thinking they can hang him out to dry as well.

[Lewis]

An Italian? Thinking he can fool the authorities?

[Raoul Duke]

Glad Utd aren't about to pay 20m for the sporting director who oversaw all this, otherwise we'd look like idiots

[Giggles]

I love the Duffer the odd little fucker :cool:


1773405180815421495

[Shindig]

Why did he not come clean at the point he was charged by the Italian FA get it all out in the open and then hope for some leniency? Either he's being very poorly advised or he went to the FA and they told him to piss off and are now thinking they can hang him out to dry as well.

Footballers are retards.

[Gray Fox]

Might be some good RAWK on the horizon. Liverpool journos have been briefed that it will not be Xabi Alonso coming in. They don't believe he will leave Leverkusen apparently.

As mentioned previously THE DATA suggests Anorim from Sporting is the ideal replacement. If not him I don't know where we go next.

[Manc]

De Zerbi all the way.

[Gray Fox]

I think he's destined for Chelsea fwiw.

[Waffdon]

I really hope not

[niko_cee]

I heard Barcelona. He looks enough like Xavi. He'll probably be a bit of a car crash wherever. Interesting decision if Alonso decides to stick it out, although I have advocated it previously. Chris Wilder stands as testimony to why that isn't necessarily always a good idea. He was linked to Arsenal at the peak of his hype wasn't he? Everyone said he'd be mad to go and he was sacked 6 months later.