Football: Pogba gets his MARCHing orders (March!)

[Ian]

Geddit? Hahaha, what japes we have. Anyway, yeah, is banning Pogba a bit "punishing Everton while actual important people get away with all sorts"?

I don't know. Or really care, but it's as good a point as any and gave me a good thread title.

Football will be played this month. Feel free to talk about it here.

[Ian]

Forgot to click the button to add a poll. What a shambles.

Here's what the options were going to be, just so you don't have to survive without my incredible bants. Or in case Phonics or SvN or somebody can add one in:
The Pogba ban. Harsh?

Yes, 4 years is wild without much real precedent.
No, cheating is bad, mmkay, and the precent must be set.
I just think it's subjectively funny because it's Pogba.
Don't care at all.
A big roidy turtle.

[Spikey M]

I wany to see an AI interpretation of this roidy turtle.

[Spikey M]

https://i.ibb.co/j5BWx2s/Screenshot-20240302-065238-Brave.jpg

Took me 4 search results to get something even partially relevant, and this shit is supposed to be stealing our jobs? BRB, shorting big data.

[Kikó]

I think it's worthwhile to laugh at pogba in every thread going forward.

We're getting close to city winning it all again..yay.

[Spikey M]

Racist.

[niko_cee]

I think it's worthwhile to laugh at pogba in every thread going forward.

We're getting close to city winning it all again..yay.

Didn't Erik declare that you were BACK yesterday? I only saw the headline, and it did take be aback slightly, but who am I to doubt a bald man in a polo neck on matters of football?

[Kikó]

I doubt he did. But we definitely are.

[niko_cee]

https://i.ibb.co/9tKxV8P/BACK.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've been saying it for months.

[Raoul Duke]

Once Jonny Evans destroys Haaland and De Bruyne naysayers will be eating their words

[Kikó]

https://i.ibb.co/9tKxV8P/BACK.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

He's saying STANDARDS ARE BACK not glory glory man United.

[niko_cee]

I'm a big fan of this picture:

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/976/cpsprodpb/4004/production/_132788361_gettyimages-2051413888.jpg

But why is the ref covered in ticks?

[Adramelch]

All his accounts are verified.

Lazio were behaving like 5-year olds in that game. 3 red cards well deserved.

[thommo]

The 2nd red card wasn't at all, shambolic decision.

[Adramelch]

From what I read the red card was because he swore at the ref or some such. The foul itself wasn't even a yellow.

[thommo]

If it's for abusive language that's fair enough, but I'd be very surprised if he heard anything from that distance and it's hardly like he'll be the only person on the pitch to swear throughout the game.

Actually, the 3rd one is a joke too - I thought it was a second yellow but he gave Guendouzi a straight red. Lazio acted like fools but that's never a red either, ref was really feeling his power trip at that point.

[niko_cee]

You'd never guess from the double card image. Not seen such refereeing bravura since that mad Mexican and his card flourishes at the South Africa world cup.

[Shindig]

I forgot Spurs brought in Werner. Jesus.

[niko_cee]

Joe Gomez back in the holding midfield role. Dear god no. Hopefully it's Bradley further forward and JoGo's at rightback.

[Don]

Forest away with that lineup is a big ask. Awoniyi on bench at least and hopefully Darwin and the Hairy Hungarian have a half in them.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, does feel like this is the last big test for the 'injury crisis'.

Most of the first team should be back to get battered by City next week.

[Baz]

It’ll be a walk in the park, stop pretending to stress. Giggles has it right.

[Spikey M]

I forgot Spurs brought in Werner. Jesus.

Loan wasn't it?

[Giggles]

It’ll be a walk in the park, stop pretending to stress. Giggles has it right.

They'll be still talking about how bad it's going as Liverpool go 3 up.

[Shindig]

Loan wasn't it?

I think so.

[Spikey M]

Thank christ.

[John Arne]

Just me or are throw-ins constantly given when the ball is nowhere near completely out of play?

[Baz]

Wow this game needs Darwin Nunez :cab:

[Waffdon]

Genuinely embarrassing if Pochettino is still in a job tonight. He is a disgrace.

[John Arne]

Gakpo is such a nothing player.

[John Arne]

Danns bodied in the box and no penalty. Strange.

[John Arne]

Get in Darwin you beautiful twat!!!!!!!

[Mike]

On we go!

[John Arne]

What were the Forest players and staff moaning about after the whistle?

[Gray Fox]

That looked a very leggy performance, which is to be expected, but everyone keeps on chugging.

Tierney once more disgraceful. Blowing for the slightest of breezes making anyone fall over.

[niko_cee]

What were the Forest players and staff moaning about after the whistle?

Drop ball and Liverpool not giving them the ball back before going up the other end and scoring.

[Ben]

What were the Forest players and staff moaning about after the whistle?

Come on now. If you were watching you’d know exactly why. Gamesmanship at its finest from Konate then not giving the ball back on the drop ball. Things like that sometimes need to be done to win leagues but don’t fuss when other fans call you out for being tossers. ‘Virgil’ being the worst offender.

[Shindig]

I wonder if the ref can blow for a retake on that? I've always thought that was a gentleman's agreement thing.

[Ben]

Don’t know the rule but Tierney is a spineless cunt anyway.

[niko_cee]

He did it earlier in the game the other way. I don't think it's a refereeing issue, but he is a shit ref nonetheless.

Forest should have taken their chances if they didn't want to be moaning, like every team Liverpool have played in the last week or so.

[Clunge]

FFS Villa.

[Shindig]

Awwww, I like Luton. Can we not just keep them in the top flight? Plucky little bastards.

[Dquincy]

Gakpo is such a nothing player.
He's a shit Firmino.

OK squad player but nothing more.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm sorry to do a second Mark Clattenburg related post in one evening, but have I missed a meeting here?

https://twitter.com/5liveSport/status/1764012574973055041

Nottingham Forest's referee analyst? What the fuck is he analysing?

[niko_cee]

IT'S A MATTER OF LAW!

Isn't that back to the team in possession rule more about when the game stops because the ball has hit the ref?

Love the fact that he openly admits the same thing happened earlier in the game in exactly the same way but it was TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

[Waffdon]

Pochettino is definitely an inside agent. His quotes after every game is something else. A very important and massive point today against the worst form team in the league as it’s been a busy week.

[Manc]

Everton taking underperformance of xG to new heights.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Pochettino is definitely an inside agent. His quotes after every game is something else. A very important and massive point today against the worst form team in the league as it’s been a busy week.

Draw away to Brentford from 2-1 down is a decent result. We're a mid-table side, not top contenders.

[Waffdon]

Good evening, Mauricio

[John Arne]

Come on now. If you were watching you’d know exactly why. Gamesmanship at its finest from Konate then not giving the ball back on the drop ball. Things like that sometimes need to be done to win leagues but don’t fuss when other fans call you out for being tossers. ‘Virgil’ being the worst offender.

Pull your head out of your arse. I wasn't fully watching and didn't see it - genuinely had no idea what happened.

[John Arne]

The ref blowing the full time whistle as Real Madrid crossed in and scored is fantastic :D

Watching Carvajal's temper tantrum particularly delightful.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td7OXoBxnwE

[Jimmy Floyd]

Valencia all quite obviously stopped defending because they'd heard the whistle. Real Madrid should be deducted 30 or 40 points and most of those on the pitch banned.

I never understand this convention about not whistling during attacks. If time's up, time's up.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He blew before the cross even came in, there's no injustice.

[Don]

I like the bunch of angry gyppos around the ref but the two blacks get straight reds.

[Waffdon]

Brendan Rodgers is just a shambles now. Not even had the dramatic fall off - just constantly shite so far this season

[Luke Emia]

Brendan Rodgers is just a shambles now. Not even had the dramatic fall off - just constantly shite so far this season

Good. Everyone’s fault but his anytime he fails.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't know what it is but even now, when the manchstr daaaabeh comes around I always want City to win 6-0, even though City are about as likeable as raw pork that's been left out of the fridge. Childhood trauma, I guess.

[Kikó]

I'll take 6-0 today.

[Shindig]

Rashford scores first to put United ahead and SILENCE HIS CRITICS. City go on to win 3-1.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

We're going to get pumped so hard.

[SincereTheRebel]

The dinner lady really needs to show up for man red.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Burnley's relentlessly bad results are getting far too much credit. If Lampard, Wilder or Rishi Sunak was manager they'd be getting pelted.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm actually feeling a little more confident now.

5-1 Man City.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Holy shit, what a hit that was.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sportsman 'proving the doubters wrong' again. These guys literally can't function unless they think they are hated.

[SincereTheRebel]

The dinner lady really needs to show up for man red.

Smashed it in. You dont save those. Dont matter what happens now. Get sent off mow lad

[niko_cee]

Was just looking at the odds when that goal went in and it barely moved the needle on the City to win market.

[7om]

Sportsman 'proving the doubters wrong' again. These guys literally can't function unless they think they are hated.

It all adds to the DRAMA.

[randomlegend]

They are whack-a-moling the streams worst than usual today.

[Raoul Duke]

It was first goal wins, yes?

[Lewis]

The full range of Rashford's particular abilities on display today.

[Luke Emia]

On the check there for VAR for handball and City took a quick corner. Thought a game couldn’t be stopped once it had been restarted.

[Waffdon]

Onana looking good so far so I await and absolute clanger

[Gray Fox]

0-1 at HT, 4-1 at FT.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

How the fuck has he done that?

[Spikey M]

He's starting to look increasingly like a donkey.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Haaland deliberately creating doubters just so he can prove them wrong in the second half. Great play from him.

[Gray Fox]

City their own enemy here, as they do a lot. They get locked into being ploddy and thinking they're clever with a billionty passes. Whereas the football they play when behind and properly chasing(see any of their major comebacks over the last few years) is better than anything there is. Once they switch to the latter, they'll steamroller this.

Oh and Haaland can silence the critics in the 2nd half.

[Don]

Onana creating a goal and saving one and generally looking incredible after 20 mins and Gary Neville with a "decent start for Onana". If that was a chinless Andrew O'Neill that did that he'd be making his usual orgasm sounds.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Rashford way too weak there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

And that's the beginning of the end.

[Lewis]

Absolutely blaming Rashford for that the embarrassment.

[Waffdon]

That rashford fluke is the only thing stopping this being one of the most pathetic performances I’ve seen so far from a player

[Ben]

Pathetic from Rashford there. Is he injured though? Looks like he was towing a caravan running after that which may explain why he was such a fanny instead of standing up to Walker.

[Waffdon]

It’s Rashford. He’s the biggest cheat going. Goes down multiple times a game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Big Willy coming on :cool:

[randomlegend]

Pathetic from Rashford there. Is he injured though? Looks like he was towing a caravan running after that which may explain why he was such a fanny instead of standing up to Walker.

I think he injured his ribs last game.

[Kikó]

Good plucky performance so far from the team that cost a billion to assemble.

[Waffdon]

So fucking good. Technical player with an end product

[Waffdon]

Onana went down like a tonne of bricks there

[Gray Fox]

Onana should save that really. Maybe harsh? But he gets a full hand to it.

[Lewis]

There's the crap goalkeeping we were expecting.

[Waffdon]

Sky will be having a wet dream if city and Liverpool draw next week and Arsenal don’t drop points

[Ben]

Rashford scores first to put United ahead and SILENCE HIS CRITICS. City go on to win 3-1.

I hope you put a bet on that.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Liverpool will win it easily, the sooner we all accept that the less painful it will be.

[igor_balis]

Rashford scores first to put United ahead and SILENCE HIS CRITICS. City go on to win 3-1.

:evictory:

[Dquincy]

:lol:

[Lewis]

Amrabat must be one of the worst players United have signed since Ferguson had that period of signing nobodies for a laugh. I haven't seen him do anything good.

[Dark Soldier]

Amrabat must be one of the worst players United have signed since Ferguson had that period of signing nobodies for a laugh. I haven't seen him do anything good.

Prunier of the midfield.

[Shindig]

I hope you put a bet on that.

I'd get nowt back for it. :D

[Kikó]

United are back

[Raoul Duke]

Can't wait until City get relegated and we get those points back. We'll be back up in the top eight in no time

[phonics]

Lol well done

[Don]

Utd really do stink of utter shit all over :D

[SincereTheRebel]

First half of napoli vs juve has been great. End to end stuff. Napoli lead 1-0. Juve should have scored 3.

[Waffdon]

Pedri injured again

Playing 78 games as an 18 year old in 2021 probably wasn’t smart

[thommo]

IT'S A MATTER OF LAW!

Isn't that back to the team in possession rule more about when the game stops because the ball has hit the ref?

Love the fact that he openly admits the same thing happened earlier in the game in exactly the same way but it was TOTALLY DIFFERENT!

Bit late to the party here, but he is right - Law 8 details why it was different earlier in the game.

https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/law-8---the-start-and-restart-of-play

"The ball is dropped for the defending team goalkeeper in their penalty area if, when play was stopped:

the ball was in the penalty area or
the last touch of the ball was in the penalty area"

Hence why Sels received the drop ball, and why Kelleher shouldn't have.

[Jimmy Floyd]

A propos of nothing, as Chelsea posted his birthday on twitter I went to re-read the career of Paul Canoville, a notable figure in the club's history for having been our first black player in the 80s and received racist abuse. It's also well known that he had various drug addictions and health problems after retirement, though these days appears to be on the straight and narrow. However this aspect of his life I was reading for the first time and almost couldn't believe it:


A self-confessed womaniser, he has fathered eleven children through ten different women. His children are: Natalie (born 1979 to Christine), Derry (born May 1982 to Maureen), Dwayne, Lorreen (born April 1985 to Marsha), Germelle (born April 1985 to Valerie Cyrus), Jahmal (born January 1991), Pierre (born 26 December 1986 to Maria), Udine (born January 1988 to Joyce), Nickel (born 23 February 1988 to Suzy), Paris (born 13 September 1992 to Tracey), Tye Paul (born 20 December 1995, also to Tracey), and Caysey (born 3 November 1995 to Sonia). He met most of the women through the London rave and acid house party scene. Tye, died in infancy in 1995 from a heart defect.

'A self-confessed womaniser' yeah just a bit.

[Baz]

Man did it right. Would you really want to settle down and be with the same one person forever if you had more disposable income than you knew what to do with?

[Jimmy Floyd]

This was the 80s, they weren't paid much and he spent it all on crack anyway.

[Ben]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68461967

What a fanny. That is peak football.

[phonics]

Paul Tierney has made a bad decision resulting in giving Liverpool a goal so he's been punished by *checks notes* doing VAR for Arsenal v Brentford...

[Baz]

I don’t get this drop ball controversy. Konate got booted in the head.

[Gray Fox]

Forest had the ball when he whistled it dead. THE RULES say they should be given the ball back in an uncontested drop ball. He didn't do that and gave it Kelleher.

[Don]

Imagine even being the slightest bit interested in refereeing discourse. Anyone who so much as knows a referee by name is a proper nonce.

[Baz]

Forest had the ball when he whistled it dead. THE RULES say they should be given the ball back in an uncontested drop ball. He didn't do that and gave it Kelleher.really it should have been a free kick for the foul on Konate though?

[Giggles]

Fans of club think one thing and others think the opposite. Shocking. Has anyone ever changed anyone's mind?

[Gray Fox]

The fury over it seems to be that of bias towards us, when in reality he's just a shite referee.

[phonics]

This arrogance is tempting fate but Sky Sports going 'John Fleck is being honored hear tonight, hopefully that's the inspiration Sheffield need'. is proper desperation.

[Gray Fox]

You could put your reserves out and still beat this shite 4-0.

They have no place in this league.

[phonics]

The fury over it seems to be that of bias towards us, when in reality he's just a shite referee.

I think the fury is that it's less bias towards Liverpool but instead that Klopp singled him out for slagging off multiple times and then getting a decision when you need it.

[phonics]

You could put your reserves out and still beat this shite 4-0.

They have no place in this league.

At home we did exactly that and scored 5. If we don't win it's unalive time.

[Gray Fox]

Sadly for the MIGHTY BLADES, you need either a team of tough physical types, or to go the other way and have a great tactical idea(like the wide CBs that worked great for them a few years back) to stay up. Their team just falls into that no mans land in the middle where it's all just average.

[phonics]

Wait... this keeper they've put in. His name surely isn't pronounced Garbage?

[Ben]

This Sheff Utd team would be mid table in the Championship. They’ve regressed so much in 12 months. Arsenal ought to hit double figures here.

[phonics]

Sheffield United are so bad that Arsenal should be 2-0 up in 4 minutes.

[phonics]

How do this Sheffield United team have more points than that Derby team? They are garbage.

[phonics]

This is genuinely disgraceful.

[Don]

We said these three teams came for the parachute payments and nothing more. If you're not putting your club's financial future in jeopardy by signing 20 BLMs, get the fuck out of my sight, you utter gammons.

[Ben]

Don’t think I’ve ever seen a tactical sub that early.

[Shindig]

Luton are at least giving a shit.

[phonics]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GH2lN4VXoAAIOUx.jpg

[Manc]

These Arsenal corner routines are getting fucking ridiculous.

[Waffdon]

Looks like city won’t win if it comes down to GD this time around. Actually quite important if Arsenal press on and try get another 4 or 5

[niko_cee]

I think the fury is that it's less bias towards Liverpool but instead that Klopp singled him out for slagging off multiple times and then getting a decision when you need it.

Does seem strange that this is what qualifies as 'getting a decision'.

Is that photo of Konate being booted in the head photoshopped or something? Or AI generated, as I believe is the parlance of the time. I thought he just got bumped by Kelleher.

Sheffield United and Burnley proving there needs to be an ID/guestlist style policy of some sort before being admitted into the Premier League Club.

Arsenal have been on fire this year though, shame they're not the ones playing City next week. Something will have gone wrong by the end of the month.

[Waffdon]

Still managed to embarrass themselves in Europe during this period. Arsenal Football Club.

[Gray Fox]

Looks like city won’t win if it comes down to GD this time around. Actually quite important if Arsenal press on and try get another 4 or 5

I think Arsenals GD has gone up about +30 in the past 3/4 weeks alone. Since that winter break they've scored bucket loads.

[phonics]

Looks like city won’t win if it comes down to GD this time around. Actually quite important if Arsenal press on and try get another 4 or 5

This made me check the GD and Man Utd, Jesus Christ...

We've scored 9 less goals in our last 6 games than United have this season.

[phonics]

I think Arsenals GD has gone up about +30 in the past 3/4 weeks alone. Since that winter break they've scored bucket loads.

We looked dead before that Dubai trip, I can't rule out Arteta using his Pep connections to get the boys on a full HGH cycle.

[Luke Emia]

I think the fury is that it's less bias towards Liverpool but instead that Klopp singled him out for slagging off multiple times and then getting a decision when you need it.

As has been stated he’s just a dogshit referee. But, if that decision wins us the league then it will ‘even itself out’ with the one from Spurs a couple of seasons ago when he should have sent Kane off but didn’t and then sent Robertson off for basically the same tackle.

He’s got his fair share of things wrong in our games but I genuinely don’t think it’s any worse one way or the other he’s just a diabolically bad referee.

[niko_cee]

Arsenal's best chance of winning the league is hanging in there whilst everyone focuses on City and Liverpool and they can carry on somewhat under the radar, so they probably need a Liverpool win next week otherwise they'll become the headline act and it will all go to bits.

[Gray Fox]

I suspect one will fall away(likely the loser of next weeks game).

The big test for Arsenal is the City away game. Even top Liverpool could very rarely go there and get any kind of result. Had they been able to do so Klopps league tally would be 3+. I fully expect a City win in both games mind you.

[Waffdon]

City barely win at Anfield though. They’ll need to give up this stupid John Stones role if they want to not get molested on the break

[Luke Emia]

If we were at anything close to full strength I’d fancy us. But realistically the bench is going to be very thin and that will make the difference.

[Gray Fox]

Guardiola always does himself over away to us by trying to be a smartass. He always tries a thing he's not done before to try and catch us out and it just doesn't work.

[Don]

We're not fucking taking Arsenal for serious, are we? :D

[phonics]

The De Zerbi to Chelsea links are so funny. They must have paid Brighton Neymar amounts of transfer fees by now.

[phonics]

We're not fucking taking Arsenal for serious, are we? :D

https://theanalyst.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/arsenal-3-1-liverpool-stats-1024x768.jpeg

[John Arne]

So, believe it or not.... FIFA actually had a good idea. The FIFA Series 2024 pits smaller nations from each confederation against each other, allowing teams who never get to play against other the opportunity to do so. It is proper random, but actually really cool.

Obviously, FIFA then ruined it by hosting 2 groups in Saudi Arabia... which will ensure attendances in the lower hundreds. And, because it's FIFA each team only plays 2 other teams, not 3.

The Groups:



https://gyazo.com/adf5617c8b365b4e8fa771c7762b3a33.jpeg

[Clunge]

Those Sri Lanka and Saudi B groups are going to lol af.

[John Arne]

I keeping eyes peeled for irregular betting.

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://twitter.com/A22Sports/status/1764690704486261024

This whole thing is a really spectacular example of self-delusion. #BetterForFans

[niko_cee]

Presumably the 61% of 'BVB' fans who support the creation of the superleague are the sort of yellow shirt wearing hipster FIFA fanpack arseholes who would be confused by the use of the term BVB and/or probably have no idea where Dortmund is. Surprised they didn't survey Union Berlin or which ever other mad German LOCALS club I'm probably confusing them with - 1860?

Wonder how much A22 trousered for the production of such fantasy nonsense. Oh, they're the superleague people are they?

322k views, 400 likes. :happycry:

[Jimmy Floyd]

The big thing they seem to be clinging to is that the YOUTH hate the staleness of modern football and don't want to put up with the old ways i.e. open competition. Really not sure that's true at all. It's also something Florentino Perez has been wanging on about for years so you don't have to go too far to find the architect of all this.

The Saudis have been burned by their LIV experience so I suspect not too keen to put much behind this.

[niko_cee]

I always find the marketing man's obsession with the young perplexing, seeing as the prevalent message of the times is that young people are dirt poor and will be forever. No matchday expenditure, no subscription viewing service, no hopes of home ownership, boat ownership or even event attendance, but very active on 'socials'. All very underpants gnomes.

[niko_cee]

There's bound to be all sorts of accountancy related wank to explain this away, but I find it odd that Villa can report a £120m loss (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68476722) for 1 year and somehow


say the figures are "in line with the strategic business plan" and within the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules

Which apparently allow


losses of up to £105m in a three-year spell.

Are they planning on some significant player sales to balance the books?

[Ben]

They are probably just in the Newcastle position of not being able to buy. Their squad is pretty settled and on long-term contracts so that'll just be them for a few years. Champions League will help massively.

[Waffdon]

There's bound to be all sorts of accountancy related wank to explain this away, but I find it odd that Villa can report a £120m loss (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68476722) for 1 year and somehow



Which apparently allow



Are they planning on some significant player sales to balance the books?

They sold Grealish for 100m. Pure profit, blud. That covered them for a few years.

[niko_cee]

That is reflected in their previous accounting period, where they reported a tiny profit.

The whole transfer amortization thing is part of the picture, but is included in the overall figures. A 1 year loss larger than is allowed over 3 years, even with the caveat that maybe they spent seventy million on youth development or the women's team or covid contracts with PPE Medpro, just seems at odds with reality somehow. Does it mean for the next 2 years they need to be profitable/break even to offset this loss or can it just be magicked away somehow? Must be weird when you're Everton sitting there wondering how this is happening.

If these numbers aren't meaningful or even real why bother reporting them?

[Yevrah]

As you say it's over a three year period. They can lose £500m in a single year if they make (£395m of) it up in the other two.

[niko_cee]

Just seems a bit fanciful given that very few clubs ever really approach profitability and if we want a system of competitive balance through finance then this is a really stupid and ineffective, not to mention unfair, way to go about it.

[John Arne]

Hold on ... You can deduct expenses invested into womens football? :D

It would be interesting to see the accounts of just the womens team... I wonder if like the NBA they are being massively subsidised to cover/hide losses, whilst simultaneously asking for equal pay #imadinosaur

[phonics]

The budget of a top-tier CL contending womens team is about a 2 months of Anthony's wages so I think there's nothing to worry about there.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

1764735815731863695

Ouch.

[Lofty]

The budget of a top-tier CL contending womens team is about a 2 months of Anthony's wages so I think there's nothing to worry about there.

Interestingly Tim Stillman was on the Arseblog podcast last week talking about the financial benefit of selling out Emirates for the women's games so I wonder how that will pan out in the spreadsheet wars of the future.

[Baz]

Off to Warrington vs Southport tonight. Up the yellows!

[Yevrah]

Just seems a bit fanciful given that very few clubs ever really approach profitability and if we want a system of competitive balance through finance then this is a really stupid and ineffective, not to mention unfair, way to go about it.

As I’ve been saying for ages it’s an absolutely dogshit approach that maintains the status quo and allows the rich clubs to lawyer the fuck out of it.

[Don]

That Championship relegation battle is tasty af. Sheff Wed back to being the best club in the city too :cool:

[niko_cee]

Alonso to Bayern apparently.

I quite liked Bernd Schuster's comments on it, to the effect that he should stay at Leverkusen for another season to lead them in the Champions League rather than take any of the variously doomed jobs on offer this summer Bayern [pointless/binman central], Liverpool [almost impossibly hard job], Barcelona [bankrupt/the enemy]

[Gray Fox]

I think the fanbase has all of their eggs in the Alonso basket. It's going to be very interesting to see who does come in, if not Alonso.

THE DATA suggests Anorim from Sporting is ideal, however the crucial thing I think we have here is will he be given the same leeway? Spain are threatening Ancelotti with a prison sentence for tax fraud now too, so that job could easily come available.

[Shindig]

I hope they run out of options and appoint Kenny Dalglish again. Or, in something that'd bring a tear to my eye, Kevin Keegan.

[Don]

City playing a proper rotated side. Mon a scare and a Rodri ACL.

[Don]

Madrid are being made to work here. Vini losing his head already.

[Shindig]

Ancellotti looking at 5 years in prison, too.

[Don]

Jude :drool:

[Giggles]

After about 2 weeks of Carsley yes, Carsley no, with some Slaven Bilic thrown in we're on to Willy Sagnol now.

[Manc]

Champions League is completely dead.

[Don]

It's largely down to this round, the quarters and beyond will still be peak football.

[Gray Fox]

I see Salah has made the bench.

A quite lol situation developing between Liverpool and the Egypt national team. He's been called up for Egypt for the coming internationals. Liverpool have asked that he doesn't go, because he's not fully fit and it's only friendlies. They have responded by saying tough shit he's ours in the break and we'll decide if he's capable or not. Some talk of an agreement that if he doesn't play before said break they'll honour the request, but if he does then they take it as he's fit and he goes.

[Don]

What a groundbreaking agreement that sounds to be.

[niko_cee]

The international break is still ages away, he's clearly going to be fit and playing for Liverpool by then so no reason he shouldn't go. Ridiculous for the club to be putting it out there that he shouldn't.

[Gray Fox]

It's the kind of riveting stuff we need on a Thursday night of pointless football.

[Gray Fox]

As if to illustrate the point. Prague have flapped it inside 6 mins.

[Don]

Why the fuck did you leave Konate (and Nunez and Mac) on, you stupid fucking nazi cunt?

[Gray Fox]

Quansah v Haaland on Sunday is going to be fun.

[niko_cee]

I see 'Trent' has been stoking the seethe.

Oh for the day that United can put up a Goodbye from Manchester poster when City get sent to whatever passes for the northern version of the combined counties league.

[Waffdon]

Not gonna happen though is it.

I will never understand how Rangers are consistently good in Europe

[Waffdon]

A German and Italian team beating an English side.

Spurs in the mud. :drool:

[niko_cee]

Not gonna happen though is it.

I will never understand how Rangers are consistently good in Europe

Yeah, obviously not. Still, one can hope.

Rangers are a quandry, but I'll take them in the next round please.

[Gray Fox]

Sounds like Michael Edwards coming back is actually on. He's seemingly getting the FULL CONTROL he wanted. Also bringing Richard Hughes in as sporting director. Hopefully it can get wrapped up sharpish so they can crack on in getting a manager in.

[Mike]

Pretty great news!

[Yevrah]

How far away do you all reckon we all are from one of the broadsheets doing the top 100 administrators in football list?

[Ian]

Not far enough.

[Lewis]

Main interview with some whammer in a turtleneck, arms folded, taking all the credit for a nothing team being ninth (six points about sixteenth) because they got lucky and three of his seventeen signings turned out good. Twelve months later, when two of the three are stinking it up at Chelsea and he replaced them with rubbish...

[Jimmy Floyd]

What happens when they all get replaced by AI? Will we start celebrating the typists feeding prompts into KickGPT?

[phonics]

How far away do you all reckon we all are from one of the broadsheets doing the top 100 administrators in football list?

I don't think anything sums up the modern fan better than our former-Barcelona DOF signing Pepe, a bunch of fans signing 'Ooooooooooh Raul Sannelhi' as he walked to the stadium, Pepe being crap and Raul immediately resigning 6 months later under threat of being taken to court by the club for taking bribes from Pepes agent.

See also Sven Mislintat, the transfer god, who seems to have followed up his Arsenal stint by being sacked 15 times.

[Don]

I only read Richard Hughes is leaving Bournemouth earlier today thinking that would be a big signing for whoever gets him if Iraola and some of their signings are anything to go by. Lol at how easy we find this shit compared to the likes of Utd/Chelsea/etc.

[Waffdon]

And yet you’ve one league title and CL to show for it. :lol:

[niko_cee]

How far away do you all reckon we all are from one of the broadsheets doing the top 100 administrators in football list?

:D

You do have to wonder what TOTAL CONTROL means for someone like Edwards. Is he going full football manager? What was out of his control that irked him so previously?

[Raoul Duke]

It'll be like Theme Park. He'll be adding shitloads of salt to the chips in order to sell more drinks. Classic tactic

[niko_cee]

Or the super low ticket price but infinite stadium expansion capacity of Complete Onside Soccer (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complete_Onside_Soccer).

:drool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Speaking of ticket prices, some mutiny going on at Spurs particularly as they seem to be on a mission to get rid of the existing season ticket holders, a group frustratingly unwilling to spend big in the club shop every matchday. The sport is slowly, slowly unravelling.

[Luke Emia]

Speaking of ticket prices, some mutiny going on at Spurs particularly as they seem to be on a mission to get rid of the existing season ticket holders, a group frustratingly unwilling to spend big in the club shop every matchday. The sport is slowly, slowly unravelling.

Spurs acting like some kind of big club when they have won the square root of fuck all in 35 years is staggering.

[Luke Emia]

I don’t often watch United and not wanting to jinx it as we have them twice in the next few weeks but they are fucking shite.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Spurs acting like some kind of big club when they have won the square root of fuck all in 35 years is staggering.

They are a big organisation in a high net worth city and turn over hundreds of millions, I shouldn't think the owners care one jot about winning trophies except as good PR.

[Kikó]

I don’t often watch United and not wanting to jinx it as we have them twice in the next few weeks but they are fucking shite.

Yes we are. I'll be very surprised if you don't beat us.

[Don]

Dyche's stock is plummeting now thanks to his inability to attack coherently. Become an assistant and advise someone who is familiar with the concept of playing with the ball, you disgusting gammon.

[niko_cee]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68522760

:cab:

The whole escapade has been a bit mad, but what?

[Lofty]

I don’t often watch United and not wanting to jinx it as we have them twice in the next few weeks but they are fucking shite.

They are in the perfect rut where they can stack up a few wins against the dross so Bin Bag can give it big licks only to get pumped by any competent side.

[John Arne]

Another Kane hattrick. That's what... 37 in 34?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sheffield United :lol:

[phonics]

1766499957090000979

Keys and Grey are going to do a 15 minute segment on this.

"They treated the Gravy like it was the FA Cup, Andy!"

[Adramelch]

Big point that for Luton. Keeps them within one game of Forest.

[phonics]

I've watched every game at this stadium. It's been almost 20 years. What THE FUCK is this camera angle. I feel ill.

[phonics]

Wait they now have a camera to make it look like FIFA and they've made that the main option?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Wait they now have a camera to make it look like FIFA and they've made that the main option?

On Sky Sports football.

On MAIN EVENT and PL they use the normal camera.

[phonics]

Remember when I said we were back and everyone mocked me.

[Gray Fox]

That's because you said it while playing some no mark team from Europe.

[phonics]

That's because you said it while playing some no mark team from Europe.

1) Currently 15 points clear at the top of their league

3) It was about how the team worked not the specific performance.

[phonics]

Every Ben White throw takes 30 seconds and then would be called back by the ref for a foul throw in Sunday League.

[phonics]

Well thats not very back is it.

[Lofty]

You always jinx it.

[Don]

The only thing funnier than phonics continuing to think Arsenal are serious is his 6 months of bullshit posting about how Raya is no improvement on that ADHD mongo :D

[phonics]

The only thing funnier than phonics continuing to think Arsenal are serious is his 6 months of bullshit posting about how Raya is no improvement on that ADHD mongo :D

Arsenal have conceded so few shots that there’s not a large gap between Raya’s stats and mine.

[phonics]

Wait. I’ve done a lot of drugs so my memory is always questionable but hasn’t Raya conceded exactly that goal this year?

[Ian]

Wait. I’ve done a lot of drugs so my memory is always questionable but hasn’t Raya conceded exactly that goal this year?

I can only speak for watching Onana but sometimes goalies concede the exact same goal 5-10 games on the trot.

[phonics]

I'm lost on how this stuff works anymore.

'He wasn't held onto him long enough' I didn't realise there was a second rule?

[Gray Fox]

Arsenal lads need to stop throwing themselves to the floor.

Play your football and you'll beat them.

[phonics]

I've cursed us. Arteta can rip me for letting down the foggin estandards at the end of the year.

[Gray Fox]

Sending Maupay on guarantees the Arsenal win here.

[phonics]

3 minutes extra time.

[Gray Fox]

Brentford are going to be so cross when Arsenal score 90+7 and wonder where all of this time came from.

[phonics]

Brentford are going to be so cross when Arsenal score 90+7 and wonder where all of this time came from.

I've come to terms with us having blown it at this point.

[Gray Fox]

You're a great jinx.

[phonics]

IT WORKED THANK FUCK.

#Don'd

[phonics]

I foggin love this team.

[phonics]

Sheffield United having a -50 goal difference in 19th and 17th on -17 is funny.

[phonics]

Havertz slagging off Jamie Redknapp as well. Hero.

[Yevrah]

This Arsenal side is seriously likeable.

[Lewis]

Let's have Harold unbanned for the run-in then.

[phonics]

Im biased but I could wax lyrical about most of the team. Odegaard is Fabregas mk 2 with a better haircut, Declan Rice is a bargain at 100 million. Ben White would prefer to be on Love Island than a Football Pitch and still plays through injury.

We spent 40 million quid on telling under contract players to fuck off somewhere else for free and it's the best thing to happen in the entire Emirates Stadium era. Meanwhile Anthony Martials testimonial is being organised as we speak.

[SvN]

This Arsenal side is seriously likeable.

Shame about the fanbase

[phonics]

Yeah if only we could be more like Mahow,Taz and Waff.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UnRTk1MEGY

[Lewis]

Taz is only like that because every cell in his body tells him to support Arsenal.

[phonics]

Taz is only like that because every cell in his body tells him to support Arsenal.

By that same assumption it makes sense that you and Mahow are joined at the hip but Kiko and SvN disprove the fat slobs who live off their parents as a genetical theory for fandom so we'll have keep working at it.

[Waffdon]

Phonics might be the worst TTH creation of all time. What an absolute weirdo

Frothing whilst he replies to this too. Glorious.

[Lewis]

What's Mahow catching nonsensical strays for?

[phonics]

I did feel bad for that tbh. Sorry Mahow.

[Don]

This Arsenal side is seriously likeable.

Is this some GBNews take or do others back it?

The football is shite, and besides having the likes of Ramsdale, Gabriel and Zinchenko, their manager :sick: