November football: relentless excitement

[Jimmy Floyd]

The FA Cup starts tonight. It's Tamworth v Huddersfield, and it's live.

Pep Guardiola thinks that City are down to 13 fit players. My heart bleeds. Blood everywhere. Almost as if a relentless pressing style puts strain on players' bodies.

Arne Slot, the only remaining bald Dutch manager in the league, and also the only one whose name anagrams into an accurate description of his salary, continues to manage Liverpool.

Another red-clad outfit, Manchester United, begin the month against Chelsea, who will then go on to continue it against Arsenal, before a much-needed and anticipated international break sees the Nations League climax as only it can. By then, Ruben Amorim, the Portuguese coach, may have taken over at one or more English top flight sides.

The Champions League continues. 27th placed Atletico Madrid will face pressure to climb the table, while fifth-placed Brest are likely to sink, much like Villeneuve's navy that once sailed from the city's docks.

Scott McTominay's Napoli are leading the race for the scudetto, or the Supporters' Shield, as it's known in English. Is he better than Maradona? Only time will tell.

Ipswich, Wolves and Southampton all seek their first top flight wins of the season. Ipswich's last such was a 1-0 triumph over Middlesbrough in April 2002. The top ten that week included the likes of Oasis (#1 with The Hindu Times), Gareth Gates (#4), Nickelback (#7) and of course Ali G and Shaggy (#10) with classic track 'Me Julie'.

Will you be turned on by November football's big Babylon? It's almost time to find out.

[Spikey M]

The FA Cup really starts tomorrow with Southend United vs Charlton. Can't wait to see us lose 5-0. :drool:

[Manc]

Ian firmly in the mud.

[randomlegend]

Rubenam Orim official.

https://www.manutd.com/en/news/detail/man-utd-appoint-ruben-amorim-as-new-head-coach

[Gray Fox]

We need an official United consensus on this name. We've had a few variations now and we must settle on one.

[randomlegend]

We already decided on Rubenamo Rim I believe?

[Dark Soldier]

Amorimjob?

[Gray Fox]

Regardless, this one feels the better appointment. EtH felt out of place from the get-go. Despite the memes there seemed to be no plan, bar sign all of my old boys up. More importantly he didnt carry himself as you'd expect. Always looked like a man who hoped he was good enough for the job rather than one who was confident that he was.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's the same appointment again, maybe they'll have better luck with it this time.

[Ben]

Man Utd fans won't want to hear it but Jim is probably right. Amorim's Sporting record is very similar to ten Hag's Ajax record.

What's the difference here, apart from he looks cool and not an egg?

[Gray Fox]

Speaks Portuguese > Speaks Dutch. Not Bald > Bald. Already off to a winner.

But just in case, what is the Portuguese for "stick to the plan" and "bounce back?"

[Dark Soldier]

Opposition fans in shambles, crying into their plastic memorabilia, the biggest club in the world is fucking back and you can suck my quite small dick.

[Lofty]

Are you being well compensated for being the new Taz?

[Dark Soldier]

Think I'm having a mid life crisis tbf

[Danny]

If he actually implements a style of play he will be one step ahead.

[SvN]

As a 30-something that was tormented by United's dominance in the 90s, Jim has a huge blindspot when it comes to United, so it's hard to take anything he says about the club seriously.

[niko_cee]

I assume there is a graph somewhere with 'implements clear style of play' on it.

Is there really a £15m compensation bill due for sacking Ten Hag? £25m cost of the move, how many league places is that, 8?

[phonics]

They gave him an extra 2 years this summer because Big Jim Ratcliffe and the INEOS are top class.

[Lewis]

Not Bald > Bald.

This.

[Kikó]

Ineos are terrible and we should mock them.

I'm pleasantly optimistic with the new coach. He can probably speak English in a relatable way so that's an improvement.

Thanks for making the thread Jimmy.

[Baz]

Tbf Liverpool fans were getting wide-ons over the prospect of Amorim and Slot felt a bit second-choice, so he could work out very good for United. Hopefully Ole’s back at the wheel by new year, after however-many straight defeats between now and Christmas, of course.

[Jimmy Floyd]

As a 30-something that was tormented by United's dominance in the 90s, Jim has a huge blindspot when it comes to United, so it's hard to take anything he says about the club seriously.

No, I just recognise it for the massive overblown, self-satisfied corporate disaster that it is once you take away Alex Ferguson.

[Gray Fox]

"This is Manchester United Football Club we're talking about here."

[Dark Soldier]

So bitter, classic Southerners.

[randomlegend]

As a 30-something that was tormented by United's dominance in the 90s, Jim has a huge blindspot when it comes to United, so it's hard to take anything he says about the club seriously.

Or anything he's ever said about football in honesty.

[phonics]

I think the Daily Telegraph might have the largest collection of absolutely terrible football writers. I thought the whole point of having terribly odious politics as a newspaper was to draw people in who only want the backpages anyway.

A couple days ago it was James Drucker writing an article about how United won their match because Ruud Van Nistelrooy was too god damn sexy looking compared to the bald fraud that Casemeiro couldn't help but put in a top performance. And now today it's an article where Bobby Robson has come back from the dead to tell Arteta how much of a disgrace he is to football.

[niko_cee]

Whilst the little United circle jerk is endearing, I think the 'football fans' least bothered about United and the 90s would probably be Chelsea, seeing as they were a bit of a banter outfit for most of it, and then cleaned house and pretty much put United out of business once Abramovich came in.

[Ben]

The Tamworth fans are swearing so much in earshot of the pitch side microphones that the commentators have just given up acknowledging it. :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

Whilst the little United circle jerk is endearing, I think the 'football fans' least bothered about United and the 90s would probably be Chelsea, seeing as they were a bit of a banter outfit for most of it, and then cleaned house and pretty much put United out of business once Abramovich came in.

Yeah. I started my childhood being informed by my lifelong Chelsea fan father that the most I could hope for in my lifetime was a random FA Cup; have subsequently seen them win literally everything in the game. Seems to have been the opposite journey for Red Devil aficionados.

[phonics]

While we're on the Magic of the Cup. Remember that fat goalkeeper who took a bung from The Sun to eat a pie on the bench to fix their own betting market. He ran as a Tory MP in the last election and his entire campaign revolved around pictures of him in various community locales eating a pie. He lost.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He ran third on the Tory ticket for Totton & Eling parish council and it was the 2023 local elections. Otherwise, spot on.

[Giggles]

The fucking Duffer :cool:

[Giggles]

How the fuck he's done that with that squad. Legend forever.


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[Lofty]

Or anything he's ever said about football in honesty.

Jim was roundly mocked predicting Chelsea would drift to midtable when Todd went nuclear, as I recall. Turning it round now but I suspect if someone kicks Cole Palmer's knee hard enough they will revert to form.

[Kikó]

Whilst the little United circle jerk is endearing, I think the 'football fans' least bothered about United and the 90s would probably be Chelsea, seeing as they were a bit of a banter outfit for most of it, and then cleaned house and pretty much put United out of business once Abramovich came in.

Ahem, we won the league and champions League after Mourinho's/Chelseas resurgence. The real issue was city the big cheating bastards (and ourselves being led be idiots).

[randomlegend]

Jim was roundly mocked predicting Chelsea would drift to midtable when Todd went nuclear, as I recall. Turning it round now but I suspect if someone kicks Cole Palmer's knee hard enough they will revert to form.

Didn't he actually say they could get relegated?

[Gray Fox]

At one point under Lampard(I think) in 22/23 they had a run of results so bad that it was possible. They only finished 10 points above the drop on 44 points.

[Baz]

Funny how bad Lampard and Gerrard were. :harold:

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm always right about long term things in football. Short term things, who cares, the lowly tacticians can attend to that.

[Gray Fox]

Robertson hasn't looked his usual self since he came back from Scotland this time. I would not be shocked if he was carrying a niggle.

We got some acknowledgement from Slot on this. Says he has looked ropey since the start of the year because he got fuck all pre season.

Looks like he's now been dropped while he fixes up.

[Kikó]

Arsenal :drool:

[niko_cee]

Yeah, Saka's going to have to go to City next summer if he wants that title he was going on about earlier in the season. Or maybe January.

[Gray Fox]

Paella Pulis in the mud.

[niko_cee]

Can't wait for Welbeckmania to run wild again this afternoon.

[John Arne]

I think I must be a proper sexist, as there is not one female co-commentator that I enjoy listening to. The lass doing the Liverpool game today sounds thick as mince.

[Gray Fox]

Belter of a finish from the Brighton lad.

[Shindig]

33-1 for Chris Wood to get the golden boot. :drool:

[John Arne]

Forest 4th :drool:

[Magic]

Lol fuck off Rooney.

[Gray Fox]

Brighton slapping the piss out of us here. 1-0 up and coasting.

They're doing the same thing Forest did and cut out that pass into the midfielder. They are lolling at our pressing though and passing around it for fun.

[John Arne]

Aye, we've been crap. Suspect Szoboszlai (and perhaps the Greek scouser) won't be on the pitch for too much longer.

[Gray Fox]

Ibou injured too. Goe Jomez on for him.

I feel like Szoboszlai is the sacrificial lamb of this system. It seems to be his job to run after everything but they dont tend to use him in the build up much. Doesn't get the best of him.

[John Arne]

Surprised they didn't check that for Nunez being offside and interfering.

[John Arne]

Jones > Szlob.

[Magic]

Plymouth haven't had a single shot on goal.

[niko_cee]

Bournemouth turning into absolute legends this season.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Notts Forest (fuck them, I'll call them what I want) up to third? What?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Are Villa good enough to lock out 4th? If not then almost anyone could potentially get it.

[Gray Fox]

As long as their not-so-secret weapon off the bench keeps doing his thing.

[niko_cee]

I think the relentlessness of all the games could catch up with quite a few teams this season. Chelsea strong contenders for top 4 on the back of their giant squad and being able to essentially operate two sides. But also gives a chance to outsider operatives able to capitalise on fitness advantage and preparation time.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Initially I was fearing a very fallow winter based on the way Maresca's Leicester went to shit last year, but in that league of course you have to play a billion games and we've been able to rest players in midweek which as you say is a huge advantage. I think top 6 rather than top 4 though, as we're fundamentally still quite bad.

Spurs and United are the unknown quantities I suppose.

[niko_cee]

No time added on in the Wolves game. Time keepers showing some mercy.

[Spikey M]

The FA Cup really starts tomorrow with Southend United vs Charlton. Can't wait to see us lose 5-0. :drool:

This would have hurt less than losing 4-3 in the last minute of extra time. :(

[niko_cee]

Proper comedy, although well taken, goal for Palace there.

Looking a bit grim for Gary O'Neil.

[Baz]

Great round of results today. Just need Palmer to turn up tomorrow. :huhu:

[niko_cee]

Didn't see that coming. Cracking nutmeg. Wolves lucky this Sarr character Palace have [is it Ismaila?] is absolute shite as he should have put this to bed.

[niko_cee]

Now the Sword of Damocles switches target to the other dugout.

[Shindig]

Hednesford Town (the Gateshead slayers and lowest side in the draw?) cruised through into the second round.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Going to have to fact check you on that one.

[niko_cee]

Think Horsham ran into an on fire Will Grigg today, so no FA Cup heroics this year.

[niko_cee]

lol at that decision.

[Shindig]

Going to have to fact check you on that one.

That's what I get for BBC putting up a video of their 3rd and thinking 3-0 was the final result. :D

[Gray Fox]

FM'd at the death.

[niko_cee]

Someone needs to intervene on Joe Hart's hair. Send him to Turkey or something ffs.

[Baz]

How the fuck he's done that with that squad. Legend forever.


1852466810190192947
As impressive as this seems, would Jimmy Thelin winning the SPLSIB (Scottish premier league sponsored by irn bru) with Aberdeen not be a much bigger feat?

[Foe]

Lost 6 zip to Celtic in the league cup semi so the gulf in class is still there. Wheels will come off at some point.

Dons fans feel like they’re living in a fantasy though. Not blowing teams away but consistently grinding out results.

[John Arne]

Tottenham should spend less time trying to hold on to and foul the opposition on corners and more time just trying to defend.

[Gray Fox]

Look, mate. It's just the way we play.

[John Arne]

Onana is a top, top player.

[Waffdon]

Mentally ready for Rashford pretending he’s good for a couple games after he gets a manager sacked again

[Spikey M]

Tottenham should spend less time trying to hold on to and foul the opposition on corners and more time just trying to defend.

This is why you can't have a goalkeeper that could be bullied by a stiff breeze.

[Giggles]

Lance fkn stroll

He'd be terrible as a keeper.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Watched about 15 minutes while the grand prix's been off, neither of these teams have much going for them. That Ugarte in midfield is being walked all over like a doormat.

[Waffdon]

Maresca building a whole formation around gusto popping up where he wants is so fkn brain dead. Your best player at left back ffs

[Waffdon]

Someone just take Gusto off, this is painful

[randomlegend]

Let them have their joy for one more week, until our lord and saviour Rubenamor Im arrives to crush their dreams.

[Luke Emia]

To say this game has been low quality would be an understatement.

Rashford is a lazy cunt as well. The sooner United can be rid of him the better for them.

[Waffdon]

This is fucking tragic and the bald cunt is too useless to change something up

[Jimmy Floyd]

When are we going to change the goalkeeper? This guy just keeps embarrassing himself.

[Waffdon]

Nice.

This bald cunt has been praising this bombscare in goal too.

[Waffdon]

Pochettino was fucking tragic but having to watch Maresca might be worse purely for the fact he seems to have the media in the palm of his hands. They make out as if he’s some tactical genius and he’s doing a great job.

[randomlegend]

Laughable exaggeration by Hojlund but the keeper is absolutely brainless to go in like that and give him the opportunity.

[Waffdon]

This manager also somehow rates Madueke, Mudryk and Neto over Nkunku. It’s sickening

[randomlegend]

That's a great goal from Caicedo.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Proper bald men and combs this, possibly literally if Maresca takes a wrong turning at full time and finds ten Hag's personal grooming kit left over in the bowels of Old Trafford. My main interest here is hoping Rashford gets a second yellow and some filthy narrative around him, because he's a complete cunt.

[Waffdon]

Watching Mudryk is like watching make a wish kids play football.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Genuinely amazing some of the stuff that designated South American thugs get away with. If that was some Burnley bloke he'd be walking.

[Waffdon]

I’m not sure you get a clearer red card :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

We should have walked that, too many good situations pissed away by the various shit wingers. Still, at least we didn't lose.

[Waffdon]

Guaranteed to set up in the exact same way next weekend. Will be the 5th and 6th straight games of 11 changes which I’m sure is working wonders also

[Waffdon]

What a shit league again we have this year. Being in 4th with 18 points after 10 games in.

[Kikó]

Seriously, what is zirkzee? Are we being merked?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think it's about as good as is available from the squad. Lavia looks vastly better than 'Enzo', who, I see, is choosing to rack off his wife and two kids because he missed out on being a young man because he married early. World's most upstanding Argentine.

[Raoul Duke]

I'm surprised Nkunku isn't the first name on the team sheet. He seemed like he'd be top tier at one point

[niko_cee]

Seriously, what is zirkzee? Are we being merked?

Is he the new Bebe?

Not that it should come as any great surprise. Some 23 year old who had essentially done nothing at any level, I don't think he'd been capped for a rank bad Dutch side when he was signed, coming from a league where the ability to run makes you a stand out player, and it turns out he's bobbins. It's a head scratcher. Hopefully that wasn't the football genius brains trust that are now running the show's decision.

It's alright though, I've seen in the gossip pages they're going to be after a few extremely expensive signings from Sporting. Someone needs to put their foot down on that.

[Raoul Duke]

Our masterplan is to funnel millions to Mark Robins by signing ex-Coverntry SUPERSTAR Gyokeres (probably).

Maybe we could sign a left-back who can actually stay alive for more than 8 seconds.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think the evidence is mounting up that Steve McClaren was holding the ten Hag regime together. United's worst ever start; Jamaica top their Concacaf Nations League group and into the last eight.

[Lofty]

I'm glad they aren't doing it because I want them to languish forever but the amount of cash wasted on absolute no marks by United I don't understand why they didn't just allow themselves to be scalped on proven premier league players instead.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Because then the 'football structure' wouldn't be justifying their salaries and you could have just farmed the whole thing out to Henry Winter for 1p more than whatever he makes from his substack.

[Lewis]

1853103776841847008

The second one sauntering over with that grin on its face cracks me right up.

[niko_cee]

Just learned that Jordan Ibe was turning out at Footes Lane [home of Guernsey FC] at the weekend at level god knows what [8?] of the football pyramid. He's 28. Some fall.

[niko_cee]

I also see the wheels are continuing to come off in the marble halls, do they still have those [?], as Edu leaves the building.


The Gunners are set to appoint James King as director of football operations.

The film critic?

I joke of course. Seems he's a fucking lawyer.


King previously worked at the club but left to join the Professional Footballers' Association as their general counsel.

:happycry:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Large M large H I think, now headed up by J to the K.


King previously worked at the club but left to join the Professional Footballers' Association as their general counsel.

Sounds promising. 'Give him time' cry the designer-stubbled denizens of artisan coffee shops up and down the Caledonian Road.

[Dquincy]

Just learned that Jordan Ibe was turning out at Footes Lane [home of Guernsey FC] at the weekend at level god knows what [8?] of the football pyramid. He's 28. Some fall.

He looked promising way back when he came through YTS. But his mental health issues with depression has been previously reported. That and he crashed his car into a coffee shop and fled the scene.

[thommo]

What an ending. Deserved that, Brentford played like a shit version of Stoke.

Lovely little Ibra-esque flick for Harry Wilson's first too.

[Lofty]

It sounds like Arteta was doing the majority of the player picking and Edu was just BBQing and greasing the wheels for moves to happen, he wanted to progress to what he thinks is a step up with more control (and more money) so has gone.

Interesting to see how January plays out now.

[wullie]

Our masterplan is to funnel millions to Mark Robins by signing ex-Coverntry SUPERSTAR Gyokeres (probably).

Maybe we could sign a left-back who can actually stay alive for more than 8 seconds.

No, do the first one. It'll fund our next few transfer windows

[Ben]

I'm guessing the sell-on clause is pretty handsome?

[wullie]

It's either 15 or 20% so could end up a lovely windfall, particularly when it's for a player Swansea fans laughed at us for signing.

[Luke Emia]

I know it’s a bit churlish to be moaning when he’s won 13 out of 15 games. But, Slot’s setup against the better teams is very fucking dull.

[niko_cee]

Slotball's all about doing just enough it would seem.

You'd have to imagine it won't keep working to the same extent that it has.

City in absolute pieces though. Bring it the fuck on.

[Foe]

City imploding at the back is interesting. One young lad at the back, but they’ve got Walker and ake on the bench. It’s not a particularly weak squad.

[niko_cee]

Apparently, I was reading today, Walker's lost his all conquering pace so now has absolutely no place on a football pitch.

[Shindig]

It's either 15 or 20% so could end up a lovely windfall, particularly when it's for a player Swansea fans laughed at us for signing.

I didn't have him down as turning into a prime Mario Jardel.

[randomlegend]

Rubenamori M :drool:

[niko_cee]

You need to work up a chant to Oh L'Amour for him.

[Baz]

That chip though :drool:

And that counter. :alan:

[Luke Emia]

That’s two lovely goals we’ve just scored maybe I should moan more often.

[SvN]

Noones watching Liverpool you losers, get lost.

[niko_cee]

Celtic pissing their way past Energy Drink A is good to see.

As is Real losing, although I thought that against Dortmund.

[niko_cee]

A few more millions on the sell-on clause for Coventry inbound.

Another Brighton find. Shame he came through in the deathball era of Hughton and Potter.

[randomlegend]

Prize bellend Noel Gallacher on commentary having to watch this is peak :D

[SvN]

This is our best result in months.

[Baz]

Favela rat cunt (or whatever taz called him) running riot.

What a second-half performance.

[Manc]

Piled on a 12/1 acca at HT. Monaco, Dortmund, Liverpool, and City. :moop:

[niko_cee]

Alonso cutting a Lampard-esque fraud like figure towards the end. :drool:

Do they have to sing some shitty song at the end that the players are obliged to listen to?

[Dark Soldier]

Fuck me we have the best manager who ever lived.

[Baz]

Only if he brings Gyokeres with him.

[Dark Soldier]

He'll get 80 a season out of Hojlund

[Luke Emia]

8 years later and all that. But is Pep a bald fraud?

[Yevrah]

Hold my hands up time. This league system is so much better than the group stages were, which I'd never have thought would have been the case in a million years.

[niko_cee]

Yeah, it does seem good. Not sure it needs to be this many teams/games, but then maybe you lose some of the wildcards.

Is there a trophy for winning the group stage league?

[John Arne]

Watching highlights of Sporting-City... first goal why did sporting keeper jump out of the way of Foden's shot? The penalty given to City was a joke, player literally 2 feet away, ball blasted at him, turns his back... never a pen, City lol.

[phonics]

You'll be shocked to know that despite looking absolute shit for weeks with the exact same XI we've decided to play that same XI and still look shit.

[Waffdon]

Odegaard will be back on Sunday and suddenly you’ll start winning every week again

[phonics]

I think we should just sub on Trossard 5 minutes just to get over his 'im dogshit if I start trend'

[Luke Emia]

Odegaard will be back on Sunday and suddenly you’ll start winning every week again

I’m not so sure on that. But, if Chelsea play as badly as they did against United then they will win.

[niko_cee]

Good to see the wacko UEFA handball interpretation is still alive and well. Two absolute shockers in as many days.

[Dan]

Speaking of two shocking handball penalties in Europe, that Tyrone Mings one earlier today goes along nicely with the game in Germany a few weeks ago where both teams gave away a penalty doing the same thing.

[niko_cee]

Just desserts for those terrible modern restarts from goalkicks.

The VAR in Europe is all sorts of mad though. Desperate to give handballs, but ostensibly completely sanguine about every other type of foul being missed. That punch yesterday being the latest in a long line of wtf non-interventions.

[Luke Emia]

Yeah but the punch to the head happened in the Arsenal game so it's funny.

[wullie]

We've just sacked Mark Robins, club can shove it up their arse now.

[Manc]

Chelsea playing some bloke called Noah tonight.

[Ben]

We've just sacked Mark Robins, club can shove it up their arse now.

What's going on? Absolutely mental.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea playing some bloke called Noah tonight.

Home game against them and Shamrock Rovers next month and I guarantee no academy players start. Gotta give them sympathy minutes to Mudryk, Felix and Dewsbury Hall :sick:

[wullie]

What's going on? Absolutely mental.

Fuck knows. Talk of a change in coaching being done behind his back (Adi Viveash suddenly let go in summer) and the statement saying that we've let a manager go and will hire a new 'head coach' points that way. Frank Lampard current bookies favourite, shoot me in the head someone

[Manc]

Carsley would make a lot of sense.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

RIP Wullie.

Lamps is the favourite.

[wullie]

Drifting thankfully, Wycombe chap seems to be favourite now followed by Lampard and a a mix of ex-players like Carsley and Championship merry-go-round managers like Wagner.

[Luke Emia]

It’s just the way we play mate. In all honesty though he definitely seems like the perfect manager for Spurs.

[Waffdon]

Chelsea could genuinely score double figures if they bothered getting out of first gear here

The difference in quality between Chelsea and 99% of the teams in this competition is hilarious

[Jimmy Floyd]

I disagree. Just to qualify from the league stage would be one of the finest hours for English clubs in Europe.

[niko_cee]

Absolute stat padding for the whole national extra place thing though.

[Kikó]

The United game encapsulates this thread title well.

[niko_cee]

So what level are Noah realistically? Tier 10 of the English structure? Is there even a tenth tier? Is that just Sunday league?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sea level.

[Yevrah]

Reminds me of when this bobbins was introduced in FM and you'd take over at a big club that found themselves in it on the back of a shit season. Smashing FC goat herder 8-0 every Thursday kept morale up for the whole season, irrespective of the shit happening elsewhere. Guess it's a shame if you're a Chelsea fan that it doesn't work that way in real life.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lovely header from Amad.

[-james-]

If you flick through Noah's starting XI (I've done it so you don't have to), they've mostly been flown in from half decent leagues like French, Spanish 2nd tiers, some Liga Portugal experience. Probably slightly awed by the occasion and out of their depth tactically. I'd say four goals worse at a neutral venue on an average day is probably about right, which is similar to a BPL club against a shit league two team. Call it Sutton United.

[-james-]

Hearts 0 - 1 Heidenheim. I do love the Conference League.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Amad :cool:

[Waffdon]

When it’s all said and done, I think Dewsbury Hall will go down as one to the worst signings of all time. He makes Danny Drinkwater look decent

[Dan]

Viktoria Plzeň beating Sociedad :cool:

Also had RFS of Latvia drawing 1-1 with Anderlecht, Eflsborg drawing with Braga by the same score, and disappointingly for me, APOEL beating Fiorentina 2-1.

[Jimmy Floyd]

When it’s all said and done, I think Dewsbury Hall will go down as one to the worst signings of all time. He makes Danny Drinkwater look decent

Probably works out as a freebie once you take into account all the modelling he does for their various clothing ranges.

I thought Jeunesse Hautcharage might be under threat for a bit but no such luck. Hope the commentators mentioned that.

[Lofty]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckglex0701xo

[John Arne]

Given the timelines and almost certainly British... that has to be Dyche, right? O'Neil and Howe too young, McKenna and Martin too young and not in the Premier last few seasons. Could be Steve Cooper, who looks most like a sexual predator, but I doubt the Beeb would carry out such a thorough investigation for a b-lister like him.

[Clunge]

I read that yesterday and found the wording curious from a journalistic perspective – 'a Premier League club boss'. Imo, that ensures enough legal ambiguity to cover managers without fear of jigsaw ID as we could have directors of football, chief execs, technical directors, non-football 'bosses' lumped into the mix too.

[niko_cee]

Hasn't this story come up before?

[Yevrah]

I hate the way that article is worded.


The Football Association has opened a safeguarding inquiry into a Premier League club boss, a year on from a BBC investigation

Sounds serious.


The investigation found that despite three women reporting the man to the police for alleged sexual offences, he remained in position at the club

Shocking. I'm utterly disgusted.


One of the women told the BBC the FA had failed to protect women and girls by taking no action, despite her being under 16 at the time of the alleged incident

This is horrific stuff.


Following reports in Sports news publication The Athletic, the BBC has seen confirmation that the FA has now opened an inquiry of its own

The Athletic, a BBC investigation and now an FA one? How on earth is this man still in a job?


following a police decision to take no further action

Oh, that's how.

[Yevrah]

Now, I don't doubt that it's possible this man was a turbo nonce and has gotten away with it for all of these years, but what are we saying? Fucking BBC investigates is now a higher authority than the actual police.

The hubris of these people is off the charts.

[Magic]

Why did all the Dutch people attack the Jews in Amsterdam? Oh wait...

[Kikó]

Now, I don't doubt that it's possible this man was a turbo nonce and has gotten away with it for all of these years, but what are we saying? Fucking BBC investigates is now a higher authority than the actual police.

The hubris of these people is off the charts.

However, the case could not proceed due to a legal technicality. Under the applicable law at the time, complaints involving alleged offences against females aged 13 to 15 had to be made within one year of the incident.

Wind it in Columbo.

[Luke Emia]

I thought this related to a club owner. Who owns a club which is similar to but in no way related to East Gammon.

[Shindig]

They say boss rather than manager so I'm willing to believe it's a chairman.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It was David Sullivan/Gold wasn't it? Whichever one hasn't died.

[Lofty]

The pornographer with form for treating women badly? Quelle surprise.

[Lofty]

Now, I don't doubt that it's possible this man was a turbo nonce and has gotten away with it for all of these years, but what are we saying? Fucking BBC investigates is now a higher authority than the actual police.

The hubris of these people is off the charts.

The problem is as seen in the Al Fayed investigations, the police apparently can't be trusted to deal with rich nonces so we either rely on the media pushing it or get hundreds of women coming out when they're dead.

[Gray Fox]

Why did all the Dutch people attack the Jews in Amsterdam? Oh wait...

Clearly Anti-Semites and for no other reason whatsoever.

[Yevrah]

Fair points gents. Bad Yev-take with that one.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

"Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof says he is "horrified by the antisemitic attacks on Israeli citizens"

Israeli President Isaac Herzog calls the violence an "antisemitic pogrom"

[Ben]

However, bombing Palestinian women and children in their homes is fair game. :thbup:

[Danny]

It was David Sullivan/Gold wasn't it? Whichever one hasn't died.

Thats who came to mind too. I think it came out right after he kicked it (whichever one it was).

[SincereTheRebel]

At the Wolves game and they must win vs Southampton.

[Gray Fox]

At the Wolves game and they must win vs Southampton.

Surely the loser of this sacks their manager?

Fair few Wolves fans around me want O'Neil gone regardless.

[niko_cee]

Glasner's got to be close to getting the bullet as well.

[Waffdon]

City have a bloke named Pussy in their defence. The back 4 in general looks incredibly average - they could be on for 4 losses in a row. Midfield is dog shit as well for their standards with Nunes and Kovacic both playing

[niko_cee]

Hopefully.

Brighton rarely turn up against City though, certainly not in meaningful games.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Brighton should win at a canter.

[SvN]

City's line up looks so weak. What's he playing at?

[Gray Fox]

Brighton 1-4 City incoming. 2 each from Foden and the robot.

[niko_cee]

City only really a bit short in central defence, but they have a few on the bench and I see the BBC interpretation of the left back at right back, the right back at centre half and the centre half at left back hasn't panned out.

[niko_cee]

Been coming, City absolutely all over Brighton. Feels a long way to half time to maybe try to sort things out. I like Ayari but having already been booked he's going to be a bit of a passenger here.

[Foe]

City only really a bit short in central defence, but they have a few on the bench and I see the BBC interpretation of the left back at right back, the right back at centre half and the centre half at left back hasn't panned out.

I swear they do this on purpose. It’s so often a comically illogical assumption of line ups. It’s either someone who doesn’t know doing it, or someone who does that’s trolling.

[Baz]

Probably Garth Crooks

[niko_cee]

Absolute sitter. :face:

[Gray Fox]

Walker looks like hes never played before.

[Gray Fox]

Brighton come across as a very likeable outfit. Good football, seemingly no massive dickheads in the club, fans not entitled or delusional. Always seem to get their scouting right.

They just always seem to be missing that extra something to take them on to that next level of cemented top 6 team. They got there but then fell away a little. Admittedly it is hard when the the teams above you keep throwing money at you for your better players.

[Gray Fox]

You're welcome.

[Waffdon]

Four defeats in a row it is. Hoping it’s just another slow start but I genuinely think that’s their worst squad in a long while and they don’t have Rodri there to cover it up. Their midfield without him is genuinely not even top 5. Nunes and Kovacic would do well starting for Brighton and Spurs

[niko_cee]

:drool:

Another quality second half after a terrible first half. Joao Pedro is too good, I'm surprised no one has shown an interest in him.

[Waffdon]

:drool:

Another quality second half after a terrible first half. Joao Pedro is too good, I'm surprised no one has shown an interest in him.

Same will happen in the next game too. Villa to be 1-0 up and Liverpool to get their customary 2 goal in 4 mins after an hour. Could be about 10 clear of city after they beat them in a couple weeks

[Gray Fox]

I'll be honest. When the season started wobbly away to Ipswich, I did not expect to see us top after 10 games. Never mind with a chance to put serious daylight between us and 2nd.

We do have a good record v Villa from memory, but they're not the low-mid table pushovers they once were. They also have a guaranteed goal off the bench. I think we'll need to be scoring 3 to win this one.

[Waffdon]

I haven’t been that impressed with Villa this season. Certainly been suspect defensively - could do with Kamara getting back to full fitness to play alongside Onana

[Waffdon]

Slot definitely has the best bald knapper out of the bald men. Proper gives it a shine

[Waffdon]

How do you leave no one on your half way line at a corner? Against Liverpool of all teams

[Gray Fox]

Arteta would be moist at this Villa performance.

[John Arne]

Why was the Villa play not booked for hauling down Salah?

[Clunge]

Presumably because the ref played the advantage and Liverpool scored?

[John Arne]

Presumably because the ref played the advantage and Liverpool scored?

Playing advantage doesn't mean you don't go back and book the player - looked like a clear yellow (almost a red - double jeopardy still a thing?) to me.

[Gray Fox]

Why was the Villa play not booked for hauling down Salah?

They just showed the ref waved no foul.

[John Arne]

They just showed the ref waved no foul.

Wow, fair play the ref seems to be letting a lot go. Villa arguably should have had a pen, too.

[Ben]

Playing advantage doesn't mean you don't go back and book the player - looked like a clear yellow (almost a red - double jeopardy still a thing?) to me.

Don't you have to stop the game immediately if you're giving a red card?

[Waffdon]

Maybe keep someone other than Digne back for your corners, lads

[Adramelch]

Don't you have to stop the game immediately if you're giving a red card?

I'm not watching so don't have the full context, but I'm assuming it would have been a red for denying a goalscoring opportunity in this case? If so ye obviously you can't play advantage (meaning the opportunity is still there) and still give the red. If the red is for dangerous play then it can be given retroactively I would assume.

[Foe]

Four defeats in a row it is. Hoping it’s just another slow start but I genuinely think that’s their worst squad in a long while and they don’t have Rodri there to cover it up. Their midfield without him is genuinely not even top 5. Nunes and Kovacic would do well starting for Brighton and Spurs

The city team today was all sorts of average in parts.

Lewis fits the system but would struggle at a smaller team as he’s not got the physical attributes.
Young lad at CB is out of his depth.
Walker has regressed significantly
Kovacic is a good player, but he’s not a talisman I don’t think. He was the one making city tick today, but he’s not de bruyne.
Mattheus nunes is not a city player - they bought the wrong city player. Should’ve grabbed Neto and just accepted he’s injured half the time, he’d be rotated anyway.

They clearly should still be winning that game, but the team on paper has flaws. Foden hasn’t really got going yet this season.

Are ake and akanji injured?

[Gray Fox]

Pace of our game was great for 30 mins. Dropped off a bit towards the end. Hopefully get that 2nd quickly.

[Clunge]

I think we're still well in this too tbh. If we can equalise early, it'll be a hell of a second half.

[Dquincy]

Nunez is a bit shit isn't he.

I know he contributes to the team, but I'd rather someone up front who seems a bit more in control of their limbs.

[Gray Fox]

If there's one thing I'll be critical of Slot on, it's what we're doing right here. This is just keeping the ball for the sake of it. No intent to attack and we do it often when only a goal up.

Bradley a lucky boy there.

[Gray Fox]

With those changes I'll be stunned if this finishes 1-0.

[Waffdon]

These Villa corners are amazing. Either look like they’ll score or concede from every one

[Gray Fox]

Villa set piece coach may be walking home.

[Waffdon]

Smart goalkeeping from Martinez. Could have closed down the angle a bit

[Clunge]

Balls.

[Gray Fox]

It goes without saying, but what a fucking player Mo Salah is. His goals may not flow as freely these days, but his overall play is outstanding. He's bullying fullbacks every week.

[Dquincy]

Word of praise for Kellerher in between the sticks. He's developed so much in the past 3 years. Would be No.1 at majority of other clubs in the premier league.

[Gray Fox]

Nunez is a bit shit isn't he.

I know he contributes to the team, but I'd rather someone up front who seems a bit more in control of their limbs.

He really is the anti-Haaland at this point. Involves himself in the build up very well these days(he used to only pass to his mate Mo) and also works tirelessly off the ball/defensively. However when it comes to the finish, no one is any the wiser if it'll be a world class finish or he'll kill someone in the crowd with it.

Taking him off in this one says to me where I think Slot is at with him. I wonder if a Gyokeres or similar type of profile becomes available in January if he'll make that choice. We've been quite frugal in the transfers lately so should have something to spend on the right player.


Word of praise for Kellerher in between the sticks. He's developed so much in the past 3 years. Would be No.1 at majority of other clubs in the premier league.

Quite. The best keeper on the planet has been out for well over a month now and but for one goal against Arsenal we've not noticed. I used to think of him as flappy hands, but he's come on so much since then. He's probably very miffed at the buying of the Georgian lad, but he's not showing it in his performances.

[Jimmy Floyd]

How are Liverpool still odds against for the title? They should be about 1/8.

[Dan]

We’ve finally won a home game in the Championship :dance:

Performances have been more consistently positive over the last few games despite not getting great results, but we absolutely dominated Preston aside from the first 10mins of the second half when they’d made a bunch of subs & tweaks, then Regan Poole decided to go to sleep & let them have a free goal.

We put out a team that looked absolutely absurd on paper, with only two recognised defenders, seven midfielders & a striker, but it worked fantastically, with Marlon Pack coming in at LCB & Terry Devlin continuing to blossom with a second consecutive home MOTM performance at RB despite being a central midfielder when we signed him, but it was topped off by Colby Bishop - who we didn’t even think was registered as he’s been out all year after heart surgery & only got back on the training pitch to do some jogging a few weeks ago - not only mysteriously appearing in the squad but coming off the bench & converting a penalty to seal the win.

Got a few weeks until the next home game, but hopefully this will be the one that sees us really kick on & start combining good performances with results.

[Giggles]

Word of praise for Kellerher in between the sticks. He's developed so much in the past 3 years. Would be No.1 at majority of other clubs in the premier league.

This summer really is his last chance to escape there.

[SincereTheRebel]

Surely the loser of this sacks their manager?

Fair few Wolves fans around me want O'Neil gone regardless.

Yeah. A lot of them want his head chopped.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Who do they want instead? He's done a good job.

[Kikó]

Steve Bruce is what they want.

Watching Southampton playing out from the back badly is all Peps fault. Cut your cloth accordingly.

[Ben]

But the data!

[Gray Fox]

The most egregious example of this nonsense is what I'll call The Goal Kick Gambit. Where the team taking the kick must wait for the other side to set up for it, before taking it short and attempting to work it out of their own box. If it works, look how good we are. If it fails, look how brave we were!

[John Arne]

Miami, who were for some reason awarded a place in the Club World Cup at the end of the season, have been knocked out of the play-offs by Brad Guzan's Atlanta. More FIFA retardation.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I think they were just waiting for a plausible excuse to put them in, and winning the Supporters' Shield turned out to be it.

[John Arne]

Oh for sure.

[Waffdon]

Gusto starting over James :sick:

To no one’s shock, both Odegaard and Rice start

[Gray Fox]

Paella Pulis pulled that one last week with us. Somehow Saka and Timber rose from their death beds and started.