February Football: High Lines Stagger On

[niko_cee]

I cannot fathom how no-one in charge has realised that now we can pretty much get offsides 'correct' to the mm, that it might be an idea to change the wording/approach of the rule itself. Say what you want about American sports, but were a similar thing in the NBA Adam Silver would have pushed off whoever was fellating him and been on the blower to get that shit sorted out in time for the return from the next ad break. We've had it in football for four years now and nothing.

There's always going to have to be a line somewhere though, so there are always going to be extremely marginal cases. What are you going to do? Have decision on the field stands if the margin is below X mm? Then you just have the disparity between X-1 and X+1.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'd change it to 'daylight', i.e. backmost playable part of attacker vs backmost playable part of defender. If long jump can do it then so can soccer.

Will also encourage defenders to run back while impersonating an Allosaurus, or in Prince Philip pose.

[Yevrah]

There's always going to have to be a line somewhere though, so there are always going to be extremely marginal cases.

Yeah, but I'd rather the marginal cases were where a player's whole body was ahead of the defender rather than whatever the fuck that was for Liverpool's third. Everyone goes to football to see goals, right? We've introduced a system that is actively preventing a load of them.

[Luke Emia]

There's always going to have to be a line somewhere though, so there are always going to be extremely marginal cases. What are you going to do? Have decision on the field stands if the margin is below X mm? Then you just have the disparity between X-1 and X+1.

The biggest issue I have is that I believe I’m right in saying the frame rate isn’t good enough to be able to pick out the millimetres so if that’s the case then the ‘factual’ element of it isn’t actually factual.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Here's one for the rules heads. If a goalkeeper gathered a backpass in such a way that it denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, would that be a rouge or just the usual?

[randomlegend]

Here's one for the rules heads. If a goalkeeper gathered a backpass in such a way that it denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, would that be a rouge or just the usual?

I struggle to imagine such a scenario; any time they're in a position to pick up the ball, there's going to have been something else they could've done instead, making it hard to argue it was ever really a clear goalscoring opportunity, no?

[Shindig]

Red card, indirect free-kick, I would think. Although I'm not sure if they get sent off in that scenario. I've not seen one for like 22 years.

[Gray Fox]

I think The Song is going to make it's appearance tonight.

The seal is broken.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I struggle to imagine such a scenario; any time they're in a position to pick up the ball, there's going to have been something else they could've done instead, making it hard to argue it was ever really a clear goalscoring opportunity, no?

Misplaced backpass is heading for the back of the net, keeper dives and gathers? There must be enough that someone's thought of it for the rules.

[Spoonsky]

Team looked so calm after a few weeks of wobbles. Arne Slot is a legend.

[niko_cee]

What are the words around the back pass rule though?

If it's that bad a back pass [did Disasi do one last season?] you could probably argue it wasn't a back pass at all.

[niko_cee]

I'd change it to 'daylight', i.e. backmost playable part of attacker vs backmost playable part of defender. If long jump can do it then so can soccer.

Will also encourage defenders to run back while impersonating an Allosaurus, or in Prince Philip pose.

If we did this then would it not effectively remove the need for VAR?

[Luke Emia]

For the money spent Savinho and Doku are some downgrade on what City have had in the past.

[igor_balis]

If we did this then would it not effectively remove the need for VAR?

What? Why?

[niko_cee]

What? Why?

In the sense that I think officials could manage that type of rule without the need to get every single marginal decision 'correct' and if you are going to end up arse picking over the tiny margins of an offside with a daylight rule in place then what do you really gain? If it's just more goals then why not just get rid of the rule? Of change it as in hockey when it went from active in the opposing half to active in the 25 or whatever it is the have as a line? You can only be offside in the penalty area, for example.

And VAR is a broad based disaster in all other areas it has been brought in to improve.

[niko_cee]

Obviously that's an opinion notwithstanding the last flirtation with 'daylight' which didn't end too well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

'Daylight' as described by me above wouldn't change the rule, it would just move the line in favour of the attacker.

[niko_cee]

Handball rule completely changed, beyond any sort of sense, offside rule completely changed, can we not just say no to VAR instead of having to basically change all of the rules of the game?

And if you move the line don't you then just move the marginal zone, so would you end up with any more goals or would everyone be gambling on the daylight line? Yes, it would allow more goals applied to the way the game is currently played [as per the existing rules], would teams not just adapt and be offside just as much?

[randomlegend]

Misplaced backpass is heading for the back of the net, keeper dives and gathers? There must be enough that someone's thought of it for the rules.

But they could just as easily punch it, they've just made a mistake in catching it. They've gained an advantage by gaining control of the ball rather than it going wherever, but they haven't stopped a goal by catching instead of punching it.

Defender taking out a player as the last man does it because it's literally their only option and the only alternative is a clear goalscoring opportunity. Not the same with the back pass example IMO.

[niko_cee]

You're not allowed to touch the ball with your hand at all in a back pass situation, are you?

[randomlegend]

That's a very good point and not sure why that'd completely passed me by.

If that is the case (which I assume it is) then yeah I agree, should be a red.

[igor_balis]

I think Jimmy's back pass hypothesis is more relevant to lower leagues where keepers are not as good with their feet and stuff.

[Bam]

Why did United sell Arron Wan-Cafu for £18m? We absolutely took the piss with that deal.

[Spoonsky]

Because there’s a special spell over United which turns Wan-Cafus into Wan-Dyspraxias as soon as they enter the building.

Not sure who cast the spell. Fergie on his way out? An aging but powerful Portuguese witch hired by Mourinho?

[niko_cee]

Isn't it just a similar issue to the ball playing goalkeeper everyone covets these days?

'Top clubs' want [need?] every player to be some sort of apex on the ball specimen, rather than simply being good at whatever it is their particular position needs most. As you go down the footballing food chain teams are much more willing to, quite sensibly, accept horses for courses players. Wan-Bissaka is a capable player, with particular strengths on the defensive side of the game. Perversely those are not necessarily the attributes that create stand out top level fullbacks, although there is an argument that they should be. As such he can look very good for Palace and West Ham, but at the same time not be what United want, even if he played well enough for them.

[Bam]

You obviously haven't watched him for a while.

[niko_cee]

I've not seen the highlights of the game yesterday no.

[John Arne]

Whoever (the Doctor??) let Moise Kean back on the pitch yesterday after being absolutely smashed in the head by a knee deserves to be shot.

[Kikó]

AWB looked like he wore clogs for United most of the time. Defensively very good in the tackle but also always playing everyone on. The fee is ridiculous though.

[niko_cee]

The Sir Bros are surely just taking the piss with their comedy cost cutting at United.


Manchester United is to close its staff canteen and instead offer employees a free piece of fruit

:happycry:

[Kikó]

Not sure why they should get free lunch. Do you get free food at your employer?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I agree with Kiko. Excellent management by Sir Jim.

[Waffdon]

Not sure why they should get free lunch. Do you get free food at your employer?

It’s not comparable. anybody involved with the first team or academy in a coaching or management capacity should be entitled to the same

[Luke Emia]

I agree with Kiko. Excellent management by Sir Jim.

I was only saying to one of my mates today. If I had gone into United as the owner and done everything I could have done to make as much negative PR as possible, whilst also making them as shite as possible on the pitch. I still don't think I could have done as well as Big Sir Jim and his 'best in class' comrades.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The Sir Bros are surely just taking the piss with their comedy cost cutting at United.



:happycry:

Fat Boy Shaw was costing the club too much money.

[Pepe]

My wife gets catered lunch at her job everyday.

[Waffdon]

Rangers with the most staunch possible appointment until the end of the season. Backroom staff are just as bad. Orange bastards

[Yevrah]

Sir Jim is letting me down here. Had he swept in and personally nailed it along with some excellent backroom appointments we'd have been a step closer to a "top 50 football administrators" list.

As it is. Well, lol.

[Ben]

Not sure why they should get free lunch. Do you get free food at your employer?

Yeah three courses.

[niko_cee]

Annual cost of those lunches was three weeks of Sir Marcus' salary.

Someone start a campaign. He's robbed a thousand people of lunch for 6 years this season.

[Spoonsky]

@ Liverpool lads:

Any advice on getting a ticket at Anfield? If I would want to buy through the Additional Members sale, does it make a difference having a Light Membership vs Full Membership? And (because I know the odds of getting a ticket properly are quite low) ever bought a re-sale ticket or not worth the risk?

[Luke Emia]

@ Liverpool lads:

Any advice on getting a ticket at Anfield? If I would want to buy through the Additional Members sale, does it make a difference having a Light Membership vs Full Membership? And (because I know the odds of getting a ticket properly are quite low) ever bought a re-sale ticket or not worth the risk?

You will get yourself hospitality for any game if you are willing to pay. Resale I wouldn’t trust a tout as there are a lot of issues around having to use just one phone to get in nowadays. membership is a waste of time if you don’t have credits.

[Gray Fox]

@ Liverpool lads:

Any advice on getting a ticket at Anfield? If I would want to buy through the Additional Members sale, does it make a difference having a Light Membership vs Full Membership? And (because I know the odds of getting a ticket properly are quite low) ever bought a re-sale ticket or not worth the risk?

With the title looking quite likely, tickets are going to be like gold dust. I would consider hospitality if I were you, as I'm sure I remember you're in the USA? If you're spending that much to come over then it may be worth that extra outlay.

I believe your postcode is going to matter far more than what your membership is.

If you get get a verified resale then that may be the way to go, but with what I imagine to be the cost, hospitality might be just as worth.

[Mike]

@ Liverpool lads:

Any advice on getting a ticket at Anfield? If I would want to buy through the Additional Members sale, does it make a difference having a Light Membership vs Full Membership? And (because I know the odds of getting a ticket properly are quite low) ever bought a re-sale ticket or not worth the risk?

The light membership is fine. Tickets from it are all done this year though. They do two ballets each year for each half of the season. You register interest in games (pick them all) then they draw out who gets them. I think L postcodes get priority too.
As said, you can get hospitality for most games if you’re willing to pay.

[Kikó]

I was only saying to one of my mates today. If I had gone into United as the owner and done everything I could have done to make as much negative PR as possible, whilst also making them as shite as possible on the pitch. I still don't think I could have done as well as Big Sir Jim and his 'best in class' comrades.

Marginal gains mate. They're so marginal that they're not registering to the human eye but they're happening.

[Kikó]

My wife gets catered lunch at her job everyday.

Does she work at a communist organisation?

[Danny]

Annual cost of those lunches was three weeks of Sir Marcus' salary.

Someone start a campaign. He's robbed a thousand people of lunch for 6 years this season.

Daily Mail headline tomorrow.

[Pepe]

Does she work at a communist organisation?

Her CEO drives a Cybertruck. :harold:

[Giggles]

Her CEO drives a Cybertruck. :harold:

:cool:

[Luke Emia]

Wouldn’t say being 7th or 8th in the league help United quite significantly? You know by meaning you might get into Europe and thus play more matches and earn more money? As well as each Premier League place earning an extra £4 million?

Don’t worry about that though they can save a million a year at the training ground by taking away ham, egg and chips.

[Pepe]

:cool:

Tesla is one of their clients and the boss's wife (who also "works" there) has mentioned hanging out with Musk.

They also announced that everyone would get a day off for President's Day not long after the election. I wonder how they voted. :rosebud:

[Kikó]

Wouldn’t say being 7th or 8th in the league help United quite significantly? You know by meaning you might get into Europe and thus play more matches and earn more money? As well as each Premier League place earning an extra £4 million?

Don’t worry about that though they can save a million a year at the training ground by taking away ham, egg and chips.

We don't have the money to fix the squad this year. Ultimately it just highlights how close to the wire we are to going bust because of the glazers. That's the real story.

[Luke Emia]

Sure. But you don’t have the 16th worst team in the league either.

[phonics]

If you cut 8 out of 9 of Uniteds top earners the team would not get any worse in terms of quality and would cost 85 million pound a year less.

If you don't give a manager you know is rubbish a new contract and hire a director of football that you sack 3 months later you save yourself 20 million.

By shaving off bullshit so the plebs know what they're worth, you've decreased your yearly loss from 113 million to maybe 105 and massively decreased morale across the entire workforce and increased negative PR which will hurt future sponsorship opportunities.

Or instead you could have a fucking clue about running a football club and your yearly loss would have been 8 million despite having your worst season since 1973.

[randomlegend]

:cool:

You believing that climate change is a hoax designed to extract money from people whilst also fawning over the Cybertruck is properly special.

[Yevrah]

I suppose the real question is is Sr' Jim worse than the Glazers?

[Giggles]

You believing that climate change is a hoax designed to extract money from people whilst also fawning over the Cybertruck is properly special.

Everything is either side of a line for you isn't it you absolute headcase? They look cool, lots of cars do, lots of other ones dont, regardless of what's under the bonnet.

[randomlegend]

I suppose the real question is is Sr' Jim worse than the Glazers?

No. At least Brexit Jim wants to do things like build a new stadium, whilst the Glazers were perfectly happy letting Old Trafford fall into disrepair. Literally all they cared about was extracting as much money from the club as they could.

I think people underestimate quite how bad a position all the years of Glazer ownership have put us in.

The road back to being a properly run and successful football club is going to be long and painful. That's not to say I agree with all of what they're doing.

I'm sure the Qataris could've come in and solved a lot of problems with their infinite cheque book, but I'm still glad we're not owned by them. As we've established and all agreed upon in the other thread, all billionaires are inherently bastards, but there's levels to it and Jim's about 20 below Qatar.

[randomlegend]

Everything is either side of a line for you isn't it you absolute headcase? They look cool, lots of cars do, lots of other ones dont, regardless of what's under the bonnet.

They look shit.

[Luke Emia]

No. At least Brexit Jim wants to do things like build a new stadium, whilst the Glazers were perfectly happy letting Old Trafford fall into disrepair. Literally all they cared about was extracting as much money from the club as they could.

I think people underestimate quite how bad a position all the years of Glazer ownership have put us in.

The road back to being a properly run and successful football club is going to be long and painful. That's not to say I agree with all of what they're doing.

I'm sure the Qataris could've come in and solved a lot of problems with their infinite cheque book, but I'm still glad we're not owned by them. As we've established and all agreed upon in the other thread, all billionaires are inherently bastards, but there's levels to it and Jim's about 20 below Qatar.

All of that is true. BUT, they’ve made some terrible decisions already whilst they have been in charge and this is after they’ve supposedly learnt lessons from when they went into Nice.

[Yevrah]

My working hypothesis on the Glazers is that it doesn't matter what anyone else does, Man Utd fans would never even rank Satan below them.

And I get that they were bad and Sir Jim inherited a shit show, but is there a single thing he's not done disastrously wrong, or even done right, so far? At 39% of the workforce, his cutting is presumably outstripping DOGE at the minute.

[Giggles]

They look shit.

OK, thanks.

[phonics]

No. At least Brexit Jim wants to do things like build a new stadium, whilst the Glazers were perfectly happy letting Old Trafford fall into disrepair. Literally all they cared about was extracting as much money from the club as they could.

No, he wants me to build him a new stadium so he can extract money from the club.

[randomlegend]

No, he wants me to build him a new stadium so he can extract money from the club.

Is this you not being able to read and thinking they've asked the government for money for the stadium when they haven't?

[Manc]

Sure. But you don’t have the 16th worst team in the league either.

In terms of talent, I'd probably have Manchester Red down in 14th/15th.

[Yevrah]

In terms of talent, I'd probably have United down in 14th/15th.

Of course, anybody would, because they're all playing like cunts.

[Dquincy]

Trent is more like our Jimmy. Top quality, always delivers, and well respected. Yet with a strong sense that he's not quite where he should be. Plenty of people who think he probably doesn't belong on the right, and in many ways suspect he isn't, fully.
...with undertones of homosexuality.

[phonics]

Is this you not being able to read and thinking they've asked the government for money for the stadium when they haven't?

1) Stop talking to everyone like you're the smarest person in the fucking room and no-ones had a thought that you haven't defeated with logic and reason. It's both obnoxious and untrue.

What it calls for is a massive amount of public investment that fundamentally improves the value of the stadium while laying zero of the risk on them, the sporting side of project can quite literally not succeed without the public investment in the non sporting side. The current plans for the 100k stadium seems to call for infrastructure investments of between 2 and 4.5 billion pounds with the claim that this investment will then make the public 7.5 billion pounds a year once completed.

a) If that infrastructure goes over budget as it obviously will, will United kick in? Not a chance.

b) Will it make 7.5 billion pounds a year once completed. No.

[Dquincy]

Big respect for Phonics starting his post with point 1) and never moving onto point 2). I like it.

[Magic]

Imagine working for RL. Just a fat JD pretending to be Dr Cox.

[randomlegend]

1) Stop talking to everyone like you're the smarest person in the fucking room and no-ones had a thought that you haven't defeated with logic and reason. It's both obnoxious and untrue.

What it calls for is a massive amount of public investment that fundamentally improves the value of the stadium while laying zero of the risk on them, the sporting side of project can quite literally not succeed without the public investment in the non sporting side. The current plans for the 100k stadium seems to call for infrastructure investments of between 2 and 4.5 billion pounds with the claim that this investment will then make the public 7.5 billion pounds a year once completed.

a) If that infrastructure goes over budget as it obviously will, will United kick in? Not a chance.

b) Will it make 7.5 billion pounds a year once completed. No.

So you knew they haven't asked for money for the stadium, but just said it anyway.

Why do you think the government would have any interest investing in the surrounding infrastructure if they thought it would purely benefit Jim Ratcliffe and Manchester United football club? I equally feel like the projections of the money it'll bring are fanciful but then what do I fucking know? The government could very easily have just said no.

[Manc]

Piroe. :drool:

[Magic]

Incredible. Horrific start as well. Champions.

[phonics]

So you knew they haven't asked for money for the stadium, but just said it anyway.

Why do you think the government would have any interest investing in the surrounding infrastructure if they thought it would purely benefit Jim Ratcliffe and Manchester United football club? I equally feel like the projections of the money it'll bring are fanciful but then what do I fucking know? The government could very easily have just said no.

Mr. Elon Musk and Donald Trump are taking over the world is asking me 'Why would the government invest in something that would largely benefit a man so already rich and powerful he was able to turn his political donations into a knighthood'

But it's everyone else thats thick as mince. Just say 'I support the idea so I don't care" like Republicans do. It's fine. Don't try pretend it's in my public interest though.

[randomlegend]

I don't know if I particularly do support it. Certainly seems there's more pressing things for the country to spend money on. But as I said, what do I know about how much infrastructure regeneration brings in.

[phonics]

So now you've rowed back can you now reflect on your attitude on how you talk to people considering you've gone from 'you don't know how to read' to 'I'm no expert on infrastructure regeneration'?

It's just rude and obnoxious.

[randomlegend]

I've not rowed back on anything. Your original post remains wrong. It was just wilfully wrong rather than ignorant.

[niko_cee]

:cool:

The spirit of TTH.

[Yevrah]

Credit where credit's due, Phonics has nailed that.

[phonics]

I've not rowed back on anything. Your original post remains wrong. It was just wilfully wrong rather than ignorant.

I try to be reasonable and you reply with that. Fucking hell, I thought better of you but you're just a twat.

[randomlegend]

I try to be reasonable and you reply with that. Fucking hell, I thought better of you but you're just a twat.

Editing this a third time to italicise twat :D

Fair play that's pretty funny.

[Yevrah]

And I knew nothing of this stadium deal, but if it hinges on billions of infrastructure investment that Sr'Jim isn't fronting then the man has played a blinder. Ride the storm with whatever Portuguese or German manager is flavour of the month then sell up when the stadium's done. ???? not needed. We'll go straight to profit.

[phonics]

Substance and style while you struggle with either.

[randomlegend]

Substance and style while you struggle with either.

Let's not get too excited.

[phonics]

Let's not get too excited.

The rest of TTH when RL posts photos of his latest 350 quid tasting menu while complaining about how poorly him and his peers are treated:

[randomlegend]

Never seen one Mr Green bring a man such joy.

[Spoonsky]

The light membership is fine. Tickets from it are all done this year though. They do two ballets each year for each half of the season. You register interest in games (pick them all) then they draw out who gets them. I think L postcodes get priority too.
As said, you can get hospitality for most games if you’re willing to pay.

It seems that there are also "additional members sales" for each match about 5 days before the match -- I guess re-selling tickets that people have returned or something. Like so:

https://imgur.com/qbjOXFY.jpg

So that's why I was asking about the membership. I'll give it a pop but not expecting anything. Cheers all for the advice. :thbup:

[Kikó]

In terms of talent, I'd probably have Manchester Red down in 14th/15th.

It's hard to see otherwise. We don't have a goalscorer, the goalie has the worst technique ever seen at the top level and we have zero fitness or pace. There are a few good players in there but the general make up of the squad is woeful.

Re super Jim and his infrastructure money. It does make sense to ask for funds to support overall Manchester regeneration, why wouldn't you? You don't make the big money from paying for it yourself.

[Shindig]

When you consider a stadium expansion for us (for a mere 6000 seats) is billed at £1.3bn, you'd take money from all sources.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sir Jim clearly went in there with the sole intention of getting the government to pay for a rebuild, he was whining about it from day one.

Cost-obsessed, grifting, gives capitalists a bad name. Not like Ed Woodward. That man was all about opportunity.

[Giggles]

How they've got to this after basically having a licence to print money at one stage.

[Ben]

When you consider a stadium expansion for us (for a mere 6000 seats) is billed at £1.3bn

Ya wot :cab:

[Kikó]

Leveraged buy outs is your answer.

[Shindig]

Ya wot :cab:

Yeah, I don't understand it either. £1bn's been banded about but I'm not sure how that figure comes from expanding the two shorter stands.

[John Arne]

Yeah, I don't understand it either. £1bn's been banded about but I'm not sure how that figure comes from expanding the two shorter stands.

At £70 quid a ticket, an extra 6,000 seats generates £420k a game, or £8m a year. That's a 125yr payback (ignoring other merch sales).... that just can't be feasible in any sense.

[niko_cee]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4g037jl80ko


In a statement, Galatasaray said: "Since the commencement of his managerial duties in Turkey, Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho has persistently issued derogatory statements directed towards the Turkish people. Today, his discourse has escalated beyond merely immoral comments into unequivocally inhumane rhetoric.

"We hereby formally declare our intention to initiate criminal proceedings concerning the racist statements made by Jose Mourinho, and shall accordingly submit official complaints to Uefa and Fifa.

"Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahce - an institution professing to uphold 'exemplary moral values' - in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager."

:D

Alongside stuff like the regular chimp outs Real Madrid are chucking [Golden Ball, the great VAR conspiracy, Bellingham being sent off for telling a ref to fuck off] it does feel like football is in danger of fully disappearing up its own very serious business backside.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Football reflects society, which is a great archipelago of self-absorbtion.

[Danny]

We seem to be glossing over the most egregious part of this thread. Giggles thinking the Cyber truck looks cool.

[Waffdon]

Just no standards with Maresca. How he can keep watching Gusto and Nkunku toss up shite after shite and reward them every time I don’t know. Absolutely hates the academy.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If we don't win this then it's official, it's all over for us. 12th place beckons.

[Waffdon]

He really should be gone if he fails to win the next two league games. Couldn’t have handpicked two better fixtures to try and gain a bit of momentum before the international break. He’d have completely lost the dressing room if they can’t beat either

[thommo]

Wolves sticking to the theme of the thread with an atrociously high line in the opening minute, letting Ryan Sessegnon charge through on goal to score.

[Waffdon]

13 points dropped from taking the lead since Boxing Day. Bloody hell :D

[Manc]

West London Blue are three to the good in case you were wondering, Giggles.

[Luke Emia]

I’m going to the Southampton game next week. So hopefully this dogshit version will be the one that turns up.

[Ben]

Is there any other version? They were relatively average last season in the Championship and were lucky to go up, and it looks like they haven't improved at all.

[phonics]

I can't say I've watched alot of Southampton so I can only describe what I saw them play vs Arsenal which was the closest thing football will have to whatever the name of the Harlem Globetrotters opponent was.

[niko_cee]

:D

They seemed to play well enough in small patches of matches now and again under Martin, but then usually sabotaged themselves to bits by being outrageously shit all too often. No idea why they've brought this new guy in, he appears to have made them worse, somehow.

[Spoonsky]

They actually gave Liverpool trouble in the fall before going kamikaze and conceding some extremely random goals. Might be the last time they played well though.

[Gray Fox]

I think the non-Ramsdale keeper at the time decided to chuck a few in to cancel out their good play.

[Spoonsky]

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

What a finish that is. Drink it in Waff.

[Kikó]

I hope onana is one of the planned job cuts.

[niko_cee]

I think his remaining contract would cover the canteen for about 18 years.

Sorry Doris.

[Kikó]

We are BACK

[randomlegend]

DS are we winning the league?

[randomlegend]

Well that's a red.

[Kikó]

We're not back.

[Shindig]

Neither are we.

[randomlegend]

We were back all along.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The football season is over apart from the FA Cup and the race for the top five, which people are still erroneously referring to as the race for the top four.

[niko_cee]

Aye, what's that, double digit points lead if Arsenal win their game in hand [they probably won't] and teams soft pedaling by resting their best players against Liverpool? Done and done.

[Shindig]

This doesn't bode well for the League Cup final. :(

[Gray Fox]

Arsenal are closer to 10th than top now if I've just seen the table correctly.

[Lofty]

Liverpool could lose their next 5 there's no danger Arsenal are catching them.

Gonna get worse before it gets better.

[Gray Fox]

Man City sliding their way into 2nd place above them could very well happen.

[Dquincy]

Aye, what's that, double digit points lead if Arsenal win their game in hand [they probably won't] and teams soft pedaling by resting their best players against Liverpool? Done and done.

Steady now. It's still a three horse race for this title in my eyes.

[Luke Emia]

In exciting news for Jimmy I have just found out Sir Henry has a DAILY podcast.

[AJ23]

Liverpool 1st
Arsenal/ Man City 2nd or 3rd.

Then it's between Chelsea, Forest, Bournemouth and Newcastle for 4th and 5th in my opinion.

Villa have a very tough run-in and Champions League commitments. Others also have a game in hand. I reckon they'll win the FA Cup, though.

[AJ23]

Cole Palmer the sexiest footballer. There's hope for us all. I like chippy chips yeah.

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/cole-palmer-uk-sexiest-footballer-34760397

[Magic]

Rice, Saka, Rashford, Haaland and Mbappe lol.

[Shindig]

Liverpool 1st
Arsenal/ Man City 2nd or 3rd.

Then it's between Chelsea, Forest, Bournemouth and Newcastle for 4th and 5th in my opinion.

Villa have a very tough run-in and Champions League commitments. Others also have a game in hand. I reckon they'll win the FA Cup, though.

I can see Newcastle just missing out on Europe again. Forest would probably take 3rd/4th. Man City for the FA Cup.

[Manc]

Forest to collapse. Bournemouth to be the beneficiary.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Cole Palmer the sexiest footballer. There's hope for us all. I like chippy chips yeah.

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/cole-palmer-uk-sexiest-footballer-34760397

Waff going mental with a VPN to cast votes.

[Waffdon]

Even I wouldn’t be silly enough. He looks like a thumb

[Manc]

Bro has no chin.

[Boydy]

I saw that earlier and it made me wonder who are the footballer sex symbols of today? Feels like there are less of them. Who's the Beckham or Cristiano Ronaldo (when he was in his prime) of today?

Grealish had a bit of time in the limelight at when, the 2020 (2021) Euros? But he's kinda faded since then, no?

Is this decline linked to them all being athletic runner drones with little flair/creativity/individual brilliance? Palmer excepted from that but the man's not a looker.

[Pepe]

Maldini :drool: Batistuta :drool: Cuauhtemoc Blanco :drool:

[Magic]

Maldo was hardly a looker, out of all the Italians you could have picked.

[Pepe]

I've seen your mugshot.

[Magic]

And I've seen yours so it stands to reason, in hindsight.

[Pepe]

I am quite the looker tbh.

[Pepe]

Anyway, going off memory, I am pretty sure Maldini was good looking. Much better than fucking Grealish and Palmer, that is for sure. Or maybe I am just not accustomed to the British taste.

[Pepe]

I mean, come on now.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/ManCity20240722-017_%28cropped%29.jpg/1200px-ManCity20240722-017_%28cropped%29.jpg

https://b.fssta.com/uploads/application/soccer/headshots/78918.png

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Paolo_Maldini_AC_Milan_Technical_director_2018.jpg/640px-Paolo_Maldini_AC_Milan_Technical_director_2018.jpg

[niko_cee]

Yeah, Maldini definitely had something going on. Maybe not sex icon hearthrob levels though.

Maybe those players don't exist because old fashioned wingers no longer exist and that's where all the flouncy pretty boys tended to congregate. Adieu Monsieur Ginola.

[Magic]

Anyway, going off memory, I am pretty sure Maldini was good looking. Much better than fucking Grealish and Palmer, that is for sure. Or maybe I am just not accustomed to the British taste.

I agree, but I just meant when you've got the likes of Totti and Del Piero he's definitely mid.

[Pepe]

Nah, I'll take Paolo over Francesco and Alessandro. You can have those two. Jimmy can take Marco Materazzi.

[Pepe]

Maybe those players don't exist because old fashioned wingers no longer exist and that's where all the flouncy pretty boys tended to congregate.

Solid theory. Wingers and 'number tens' gone, any sexiness the sport might have had gone.

[SvN]

Pretty sure Maldini was famously considered handsome.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Cole Palmer's appeal I can only explain via the phenomenon of women being obsessed with men who don't give a shit.

And yeah, footballers aren't sex symbols any more because they don't have personalities, or if they do they aren't allowed to show them, but mostly it's genuinely not having personalities - and which of us would have a personality if we'd spent our entire lives keeping shape and pressing high.

Grealish is probably a bit of a throwback in terms of having a bit of individualism about him, but if you see him interviewed... yeah, it's not good. Christ knows where they're going to find the pundits in future, let alone the sex symbols.

[Yevrah]

With professional training it's fairly easy to turn a robotic footballer into a pundit/presenter. Just look at the early clips of Lineker or Neville. Why any of them would want to, given how much they trouser weekly these days is probably the more relevant point.

[SvN]

I specifically remember Neville looking like he was about to pass out from nerves during his first couple of appearences on Sky.

[Gray Fox]

I don't swing that way, but I don't imagine Dom Szoboszlai wants for much in this life.

[Yevrah]

I specifically remember Neville looking like he was about to pass out from nerves during his first couple of appearences on Sky.

Yeah, one quickly forgets. I remember going through old VHS' when DVD's came along and found a random recording of Lineker presenting something in his very early days and he was truly dreadful. No confidence at all and it really surprised me.

[SvN]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VX6oLjyfD0


Roberto. Gary Neville. I never th- I bet I never thought you'd be interviewed by me. *desperate laugh*

The way he's rocking from side to side :D

[Yevrah]

:D He looks like a 14 year old wearing a suit for the first time too.

[Magic]

Fucking hell that relief laugh when Mancini finally responds. Christ even I felt that.

[Spoonsky]

I saw that earlier and it made me wonder who are the footballer sex symbols of today? Feels like there are less of them. Who's the Beckham or Cristiano Ronaldo (when he was in his prime) of today?

Grealish had a bit of time in the limelight at when, the 2020 (2021) Euros? But he's kinda faded since then, no?

Is this decline linked to them all being athletic runner drones with little flair/creativity/individual brilliance? Palmer excepted from that but the man's not a looker.

I think it's Jude Bellingham. Man looks great in a tank top. Szoboszlai would be the other that comes to mind. I also dated a Liverpool fan for a few months who was really into Trent.

[phonics]

I had no positive thoughts on Cole Palmer but him asking for a jam sandwich as part of his perfect meal deal was endearing in the same way a ‘special’ child is.

[-james-]

When I was watching the Celtic game the other week, the women agreed that it was Adam Idah. It's odd up here.

[niko_cee]

Villez Villez Villez

:sick:

[AJ23]

Felipe, once of Atletico Madrid, was a very sexy footballer. Not many people call pull off the man-bun look and shorter haircut, and still look handsome and hard.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/08/ATL-Madrid-Lokomotiv001-Felipe.jpg

https://img.a.transfermarkt.technology/portrait/big/156501-1675086109.jpg?lm=1

Also gets bonus points for grabbing Bruno Fernandes by the throat.

https://cdn.resfu.com/media/img_news/afp_en_de56159e9d8642569f206d62f240745d506bcab6.jp g?size=1200x&lossy=1

[Manc]

1895822799526379685

Just a foul given by Michael Oliver.

[Shindig]

Steve Parrish is fuming. He wants criminal charges.

[niko_cee]

Did he even give the foul?

[wullie]

Harald Schumacher watching in delight knowing that the young generation may just have what it takes.

[AJ23]

Millwall fans were chanting "Let him die" as Mateta was stretchered off the pitch, having been motionless for over 10 minutes.

Don't stop being classy, Millwall.

[wullie]

I was against Lampard when he was favourite for the job, if he's now got us in fifth just to spite me I'm all for it.

[niko_cee]

Semi auto offsides will remove long delays save in exceptional circumstances. First day of use, 8 minute line drawing exercise.

[niko_cee]

Cunha is an absolute madman.

Maybe he and Kerkez can be team mates next season.

[AJ23]

Cunha didn't knock someone's glasses off this time, so that's a significant improvement in his looniness.

[phonics]

Not that I have any premeditated bias but I think needing VAR for that goalkeeper karate kicking Mateta in the head 10 yards outside the box might be grounds for sacking Michael Oliver. Absolute abdication of duty of safety.

[randomlegend]

Not that I have any premeditated bias but I think needing VAR for that goalkeeper karate kicking Mateta in the head 10 yards outside the box might be grounds for sacking Michael Oliver. Absolute abdication of duty of safety.

I think they when think it's a truly dreadful tackle they get the decision wrong on purpose so VAR has to look at it and decide for them.

Which is stupid but I think it's what they do.

[Shindig]

Valliant effort, Plymouth. :(

[phonics]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gk-uHGdXAAA2OOt.jpg

Yellow Card.

[Giggles]

I thought he was sent off.

[phonics]

Not by the bloke standing 5 yards away.

[niko_cee]

Not by the bloke standing 5 yards away.

Unavoidable coming together, or whatever it is when they try to justify some insanely bad decision.

[Shindig]

"It's too early for a sending off." <earpiece goes off> "Fine, I'll check the monitor."

[Luke Emia]

I think they when think it's a truly dreadful tackle they get the decision wrong on purpose so VAR has to look at it and decide for them.

Which is stupid but I think it's what they do.

They don't make decisions anymore then they fall back on 'It will be checked' then unless it is literally as bad as that today they very rarely overturn what was originally given. The standard of refereeing has gotten much worse since VAR came in. Because they don't have the balls to make a decision because the thought seems to be that if it is that bad it will get overturned by VAR.

[Luke Emia]

Two absolute stone-wall reds not given in the Norwich-Blackburn game today as well so it's not just in the PL.

[Shindig]

Found myself watching BBC Grandstand from the 1992 FA Cup Final. The build-up's been condensed a bit but you still get the round-by-round recaps, interviews on the team buses and Des Lynam confidently remembering player names.

EDIT: Big Ron Atkinson is singing now. What a time to be alive.

[Kikó]

Every week we're pretty much talking about a terrible Michael Oliver decision. He's not good enough.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Things like that Millwall keeper one are a common referee error, same reason the Harald Schumacher one went unpunished in 1982 - football's a game of repetitive automatic processes, referees like players are plugged into those and it blows their minds when something that outside the ordinary happens in short order.

Always thought it's been one of the big weaknesses of refs as a species, they can't seem to adjust quickly enough to unusual turns of events or believe that they've happened.

[AJ23]

Peter Bankes (Wanks) is another one. I honestly don't know how some of these people make it through the process.

Bankes was making terrible decisions at Championship level but somehow got to be a Premier League official. Apparently a fan of Liverpool.

Stuart Attwell a Luton fan.

It's time to bring in foreign officials who have no bias. Send this lot overseas.

[-james-]

I see two plausible explanations for the quality of refereeing decisions being perpetually shit. Either all referees are inept morons from the bottom of the gene pool, or refereeing a football match is difficult. Even if it is the former, what are you going to do about it?

[Ben]

I'm not sure constantly changing the rules to make it a more and more complex non-contact sport is helping referees either. Lots of things that are scrutinised now would have been waved off in Paul Durkin's day.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I've said this many times, but fans don't actually want referees to be good. They want them to be bad because their social role is as one of the only times a working class person is allowed to scream blue murder at an authority figure with no consequences. It's also why referees in other, more middle class sports don't face the same bile. All these 'respect' campaigns are made by fools who don't understand this.

There was no golden age of referees being respected, back in my dad's watching days they sang quaint-sounding chants like 'Who's the bastard in the black' and 'Who's your father, referee?' rather than making up conspiracy theories or whatever, but it's the same phenomenon.

They're almost like pantomine villains for a traditional working class audience. As the audience shifts away from being traditional working class and starts being one made up of capitalist consumers, the nature of the bile changes from questioning their parenthood to questioning whether they are involved in some conspiratorial plots to screw over your favourite team. All of it is complete balls.

[Foe]

I'm not sure constantly changing the rules to make it a more and more complex non-contact sport is helping referees either. Lots of things that are scrutinised now would have been waved off in Paul Durkin's day.

This is it. I barely understand the rules any more and I used to play competitively at youth level. In the space of 15 years we have what feels like a very different sport.

The mateta one is a very extreme example of a follow through. Those sorts of collisions are always possible in football and football got into a crazy place a few years ago where we saw a red almost every week for a follow through. Nani got sent off for something similar, so did Mane from memory. Mateta has got a whack but the ref was looking right at it and saw the keeper clear the ball.

I’m not sure what the keeper should do there? Head it? Not come out? Once he’s made the decision to come and the ball is that high it’s a dangerous situation for a collision. Sad the keeper will get suspended for a game or two and the tie was killed for something that wasn’t a malicious conduct, it was a keeper clearing his lines. Much the same as a keeper coming out to punch the ball clear, quite often whacks a striker and we are now seeing those as pens but rarely reds.

Outcome driven red, which makes a referees job incredibly difficult live.

[Kikó]

Are you mental? The thing the keeper does is not kick the player in the head.

[Pepe]

Lifting your leg too high in the vicinity of an opposing player has always been illegal, hasn't it? Or am I forgetting a time when head-high flying kicks were allowed?

[Shindig]

Yeah, that's always been dangerous play.

[Giggles]

It's dangerous play but the amount of pearl clutching and calling for jail sentences has been a bit much.

[Shindig]

Good going you scouse cunt. :moop: What a stupid thing to do.

[Ben]

Out of the cup final.

[Foe]

Three match ban for that. Mental.

Nice piece of karma for Gordon who’s a cheating bastard himself.

[-james-]

I love Danny Welbeck.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Brighton name on trophy I think. See if Gordon Smith can meff it up this time.

[niko_cee]

Solly March a likely must score fail candidate.

Home draw please

[Jimmy Floyd]

Solly March will have his own thread shortly, I've been very lax due to illness.

[Foe]

So should Iwobi be off for that high foot?

Dangerous play?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Out of the cup final.

Both of them.

[niko_cee]

No, there is a difference between putting your foot up there and making full on contact. I don't particularly like the high foot rule, but that wasn't what did for the Millwall goalkeeper.

[niko_cee]

This is a poor game. United are honking. They'll scab a win as is always the case against Fulham.

[randomlegend]

I don't know what happened to Hojlund because he was not this bad a year ago, but he's been absolutely woeful for months. May as well be playing with 10 men whenever he's on. Zirkzee is not a striker so putting him up front doesn't make things any better. Give Obi a go at this point.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'd take Hojlund at ours. Can't make him any worse, though I'm sure we'd have a good crack.

[Jimmy Floyd]

As bad a manager as Wayne Rooney is, he's an even worse pundit. Why doesn't he just become a forward coach somewhere? Would probably be good at that.

[randomlegend]

As bad a manager as Wayne Rooney is, he's an even worse pundit. Why doesn't he just become a forward coach somewhere? Would probably be good at that.

I bet he'd be a terrible forward coach.

"So in this situation you should just lob the keeper from 30 yards into the top corner. What do you mean you can't?"

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm just trying to think of jobs the man could do. Milkman?

[randomlegend]

I'd imagine he already found the one thing he was good at.

He should just sit back with a pasty in one hand, a beer in the other, and someone's Gran on his cock.

[John Arne]

Why has the game stopped? Drinks break in March?

[Shindig]

Went out to the park to avoid the conclusion of the toon match. Naturally someone had a radio when Welbeck scored. Wonderful.

[Shindig]

Why has the game stopped? Drinks break in March?

Ramadan.

[niko_cee]

Superb finish.

[Jimmy Floyd]

You can tell Fulham are going to give this away, they're the better team but no mental strength.

[niko_cee]

This will be such a robbery if United win.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Fucking Willian? Why not bring on Jairzinho as well while you're at it.

[randomlegend]

Lindelof on a pen, good lord.

[Bernanke]

Lindelol

[Shindig]

Zirkzteehee.

[niko_cee]

Fully deserved, United were dreadful.

Robinson has a definite air of the Trents about him, both in terms of appearance and demeanour.

[Manc]

Presumably the lesbian was on the fifth penalty. Never understood it.

[thommo]

Never in doubt. Should have been 2 or 3 before the rat-faced one got the equaliser.

[Kikó]

Did the rat faced one touch you in a bad place :-(

[Bam]

Daws is offended by you calling him rat faced.

[Giggles]

Did the rat faced one touch you in a bad place :-(

:D absolutely raging.

[John Arne]

Presumably the lesbian was on the fifth penalty. Never understood it.

Yup, absolute madness (assuming he has a decent record). The logic and math says that a smidge under 50% of shootouts don't reach the 10th taker, and 20% of the time 9th taker doesn't even get a chance... therefore, have you best taker at 2 or 3. Personally, I would put my best at 1, second at 2 etc.

[AJ23]

Pest control took it's natural course and Fernandes was captured by Fulham Rentokil.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GfjUVlSWsAA1kgf?format=jpg&name=900x900

[Shindig]

Nufc.com seem convinced we'll appeal the Gordon red. Excellent. Surely we wouldn't be that frivolous? The whistle had gone and he carried on well after it.

Although the same site also blames VAR for our defeat.

[Kikó]

I struggled to sleep last night with rage but hopefully no one has posted any follow up rat related pictures. Time to read the thread..

[niko_cee]

:D

I struggled with this penalty conversation. Didn't United take all five of their and miss the last two? Who is the lesbian? Didn't Fernandes go first and score?

[Gray Fox]

The lesbian is Garnacho.

I'll never be a fan of defenders going up before forwards, but then I did once see VVD absolutely lol at Kepa the once, so what do I know.

[AJ23]

Nufc.com seem convinced we'll appeal the Gordon red. Excellent. Surely we wouldn't be that frivolous? The whistle had gone and he carried on well after it.

Although the same site also blames VAR for our defeat.

Difficult to see how someone who shoved two hands into someone's head with them running away from him is going to escape serious foul play.

[SvN]

The lesbian is Garnacho.

I'll never be a fan of defenders going up before forwards, but then I did once see VVD absolutely lol at Kepa the once, so what do I know.

Madness isn't it? Especially given Garnacho has shown how good his finishing is over the past few months.

[niko_cee]

I was thinking it was Garnacho and given that every time he shoots it's either straight at the keeper or miles off target that didn't fill me with he's definitely going to score confidence.

[Kikó]

Lindelof has buried his last two so it's not too crazy that he took one. Nashers probably should have took one of the earlier ones but probably BOTTLED IT.

[AJ23]

This Forest v Ipswich game is like watching paint dry.

Bet they'd wished they'd put Songs of Praise on instead.

[Lofty]

This 8 second goalkeeper rule from next season has crept up on me.

[niko_cee]

I never knew about the previous, completely unenforced, 6 second one. Thought that all went with the days to 4 seconds or whatever it was.

[Shindig]

The previous rule has been in place ever since Barthez was at Monaco.

[Ben]

As usual, they'll enforce it once on the opening weekend, then it'll be quietly forgotten about.

[Spikey M]

Unless it suits them. Earlier this season, Southends goalkeeper got a yellow card for time wasting because the fans wouldn't give the ball back. :D

[Luke Emia]

I never knew about the previous, completely unenforced, 6 second one. Thought that all went with the days to 4 seconds or whatever it was.

I distinctly remember Jussi Jaaskelainen getting done for it probably in about 2002 and Shearer thundercunting one past him from the resultant free-kick. But, that is literally the only time I ever remember the rule being enforced. Pickford is a right prick for it and you often wonder why the referee's don't enforce it. Enforce it once or twice and it would soon stop. Much like most other things in football.

[niko_cee]

Didn't it go from something like the 4 step rule [around the time of the turn of football] to a 4 second rule during the heady days of the offside change and the dalliances with 'daylight' to whatever is now being usurped? I quite like the idea of enforcing it quite firmly and having a corner as the punishment. Just get a massive countdown on the big screen. Put pay to the catch the ball and fall over blight of the modern era at least.

Same for goal kicks. Get the clock running.

[Gray Fox]

I remember very well certain attackers would count it out on their fingers, only for the ref to bollock them rather than the goalkeeper.

It'll be like that time Pepe Reina was done at Bolton for kicking the ball out of his hands over the edge of the penalty area. Then it was never heard from ever again.

[John Arne]

I remember very well certain attackers would count it out on their fingers, only for the ref to bollock them rather than the goalkeeper.

It'll be like that time Pepe Reina was done at Bolton for kicking the ball out of his hands over the edge of the penalty area. Then it was never heard from ever again.

I'm almost certain this happens (and is ignored) 3-4 times per game.

[Lofty]

I remember very well certain attackers would count it out on their fingers, only for the ref to bollock them rather than the goalkeeper.


Ashley Barnes was doing it at Deepdale on Saturday.