[FOOTBALL] Weekend Football 30 Oct - 2 Nov (Demerit Special - Watford vs West Ham)

[P_3]

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e2/Watford.svg/215px-Watford.svg.png http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/11117/111174760/4698394-3305792921-vs.pn.pnghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e0/West_Ham_United_FC.svg/249px-West_Ham_United_FC.svg.png

With last weekend causing everyone but Pleb to lose money, this time around we go back to basics with a simple bet for who wins out of Watford and West Ham or whether they will share the spoils. Watford have been decent since reentry to the top division, with Ighalo and Deeney forming a solid pairing up front. West Ham on the other hand have been magnificent in the way they have soared all the way to 3rd in the league, beating the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City away, with Payet donning proceedings in the attacking third. How will they cope against a slightly more defensive Watford? Will Watford hold their nerve or will the Hammers punish them on the counter? Let's bet. Odds taken from bet365.

15:00 kick-off time unless stated otherwise.

Friday 30th
http://i.imgur.com/L7UOmTK.png Championship:
Brentford v QPR - Sky Sports 1, 19:45

http://i.imgur.com/WveiEiv.gif Spanish La Liga:
Deportivo de La Coruña v Atl Madrid - Sky Sports 2, 19:30

http://i.imgur.com/8v1PFWx.gif German Bundesliga:
Eintracht Frankfurt v Bayern Mun - BT Sport Europe, 19:30

http://i.imgur.com/gbb3XrE.gif French Ligue 1:
Rennes v Paris St G - BT Sport 2, 19:30

http://i.imgur.com/ybH1O1q.gif Dutch Eredivisie:
Heracles Almelo v Willem II - 19:00

Saturday 31st
http://i.imgur.com/L7UOmTK.png Premier League:
Chelsea v Liverpool - BT Sport 1, 12:45
Crystal Palace v Man Utd
Man City v Norwich
Newcastle v Stoke
Swansea v Arsenal
Watford v West Ham
West Brom v Leicester

Championship:
Birmingham v Wolves - Sky Sports 1, 12:30
Bristol City v Fulham
Burnley v Huddersfield
Derby v Rotherham
Ipswich v Cardiff
Middlesbrough v Charlton
MK Dons v Hull
Reading v Brighton
Sheff Wed v Nottm Forest
Preston v Bolton - Sky Sports 1, 18:00

http://i.imgur.com/endgoGX.png Scottish Premiership:
Celtic v Aberdeen - Sky Sports 2, 12:30
Dundee Utd v Ross County
Hamilton v St Johnstone
Inverness CT v Dundee
Kilmarnock v Motherwell
Partick Thistle v Hearts

http://i.imgur.com/WveiEiv.gif Spanish La Liga:
Real Madrid v Las Palmas
Valencia v Levante - Sky Sports Red Button, 17:15
Villarreal v Sevilla - Sky Sports Red Button, 17:15
Getafe v Barcelona - Sky Sports 2, 19:30
Real Sociedad v Celta de Vigo - Sky Sports 2, 21:05

http://i.imgur.com/8v1PFWx.gif German Bundesliga:
1. FC Köln v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim - 14:30
FC Augsburg v 1. FSV Mainz 05 - 14:30
Schalke v FC Ingolstadt 04 - 14:30
Hertha BSC v B M'gladbach - 14:30
SV Werder Bremen v Bor Dortmd - 14:30
VfL Wolfsburg v Bayer Levkn - BT Sport 2, 17:30

http://i.imgur.com/ND7cEHI.gif Italian Serie A:
Juventus v Torino - BT Sport Europe, 17:00
Inter Milan v Roma - BT Sport Europe, 19:45

http://i.imgur.com/gbb3XrE.gif French Ligue 1:
St Etienne v Reims - 16:00
Bastia v Caen - 19:00
GFC Ajaccio v Bordeaux - 19:00
Guingamp v Lorient - 19:00
Toulouse v Montpellier - 19:00
Troyes v Lyon - BT Sport Extra 2, 19:00

http://i.imgur.com/ybH1O1q.gif Dutch Eredivisie:
FC Groningen v PEC Zwolle - 17:30
Ajax v Roda JC Kerkrade - Sky Sports 5, 18:45
Excelsior v Vitesse - 18:45
De Graafschap v PSV Eindhoven - Sky Sports Red Button, 19:45

Sunday 1st
http://i.imgur.com/L7UOmTK.png Premier League:
Everton v Sunderland - Sky Sports 1, 13:30
Southampton v Bournemouth - Sky Sports 1, 16:00

http://i.imgur.com/WveiEiv.gif Spanish La Liga:
Eibar v Rayo Vallecano - Sky Sports Red Button, 11:00
Espanyol v Granada CF - Sky Sports Red Button
Sporting de Gijón v Málaga - Sky Sports 3, 17:15
Real Betis v Ath Bilbao - Sky Sports 3, 19:30

http://i.imgur.com/8v1PFWx.gif German Bundesliga:
VfB Stuttgart v SV Darmstadt 98 - BT Sport Europe, 14:30
Hamburger SV v Hannover 96 - BT Sport Europe, 16:30

http://i.imgur.com/ND7cEHI.gif Italian Serie A:
Fiorentina v Frosinone - BT Sport Europe, 11:30
Bologna v Atalanta - 14:00
Carpi v Verona - 14:00
Genoa v Napoli - BT Sport ESPN, 14:00
Udinese v Sassuolo - 14:00
Lazio v Milan - BT Sport Europe, 19:45

http://i.imgur.com/gbb3XrE.gif French Ligue 1:
Nice v Lille - BT Sport Extra 2, 13:00
Monaco v Angers - BT Sport ESPN, 16:00
Nantes v Marseille - BT Sport 2, 20:00

http://i.imgur.com/ybH1O1q.gif Dutch Eredivisie:
ADO Den Haag v Feyenoord - Sky Sports Red Button, 11:30
FC Utrecht v FC Twente - 13:30
sc Heerenveen v SC Cambuur Leeuwarden - 13:30
AZ Alkmaar v N.E.C. - 15:45

Monday 2nd
http://i.imgur.com/L7UOmTK.png Premier League:
Tottenham v Aston Villa - Sky Sports 1, 20:00

http://i.imgur.com/ND7cEHI.gif Italian Serie A:
Chievo v Sampdoria - BT Sport Europe, 18:00
Palermo v Empoli - BT Sport Europe, 20:00

[Toby]

I'll be amazed if Chelsea - Liverpool doesn't end in a draw. Probably 1-1 looking at the latter's other results so far this season.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Jimmy Floyd]

I reckon we could quite easily lose three or four nil.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Davgooner]

Alex Iwobi/Joel Campbell to stun south Wales and the world.

http://www.wearetheherd.com/forum/Smileys/herd/none.gif

[phonics]

Can't believe Jeff is at some World Cup half way across the world. Should have been his moment.

[ScousePig]

Back down to earth with a morale crushing bump at Everton.

[Manc]

Lallana, Coutinho, Moreno all rested midweek and Benteke to start. I think a comfortable win for Liverpool is on the cards.

[Benny]

Thought Benteke has fucked his knee again?

[Giggles]

Thought Benteke has fucked his knee again?

That's what I'd heard too. He better have.

[Weaver]

660048235973726208

Don't know why the Tweet has stayed in text form. What a load of gubbins.

[Giggles]

Well fuck that. One can only hope he's being rushed back and blows it to smids for the season so.

[CJay]

'Mon the Harps. :cool: Beat UCD 2-1 tonight to qualify for the promotion / relegation playoff final. Playing Limerick this Monday and Friday. Atmosphere was incredible tonight, 2013 people there, which is the biggest crowd in nearly 7 years probably. Voice is completely gone now, can't beat this feeling.

[Giggles]

'Mon the Harps. :cool: Beat UCD 2-1 tonight to qualify for the promotion / relegation playoff final. Playing Limerick this Monday and Friday. Atmosphere was incredible tonight, 2013 people there, which is the biggest crowd in nearly 7 years probably. Voice is completely gone now, can't beat this feeling.

Really hope you do it now. Be good to see Harps back in the top flight.

[mugbull]

If i lost all 500 on one bet, does that mean I can never bet again? Can i take out a vCash mortgage?

Actually I apparently have 100 left. I guess they restock your account, which seems exploitable. good thing this is only virtual money on a fucking messageboard

[Max Power]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4NJ8TBQiEU

The lads are full of pizza and gunning for the top four. West Brom beware

[Yevrah]

Much more of this and I'm going to have to change my opinion on Ranieri.

[phonics]

There's no-one that makes me happier to be proved right about then Claudio Ranieri. The man is both a genius and an utter gentleman.

[Waffdon]

Fucking hell, he sounds like me.

[Waffdon]

Lol at Chelsea not changing it up.

[Reg]

Is this the first time Firmino has played up front for them?

Fabregas on the bench. Maybe a good idea, not sure I'd want him playing deep with all the pressing.

[simon]

I'm not sure Mikel will be able to out-crab all of the PRESSING but Fabregas has been deserving of the drop for a good few games now.

Ramires to get the winner in a 2-1 win.

[Lee]

Much more of this and I'm going to have to change my opinion on Ranieri.

What is your opinion on Ranieri?

We'll lose today. West Brom away isn't going to suit our need for space in behind and we can't defend so chances are they'll grab a goal or two.

[John Arne]

The BT commentator suggesting that Benteke should come on already :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

Well this wasn't in the script.

[John Arne]

Is Willian made of paper?

[Jeet]

Chelsea scores an early goal - not gonna bother watching the game now. All abroad the bus!

[John Arne]

We're actually playing alright.

[Boydy]

I thought Benteke was fit? Just enough to start?

[John Arne]

He has only trained 1 day this week.

[Boydy]

He has only trained 1 day this week.
Ah right. It's so frustrating not having a proper striker on the pitch.

[Manc]

Liverpool toothless in attack thus far. The big man has to come on at half time.

[John Arne]

Yep. No target at all. We've actually put in a few decently crosses, too.

[Boydy]

Bring Milner off for him. I fucking hate Milner.

[QE Harold Flair]

lol, I bet Mourinho will complain about the ref not blowing.

[Manc]

Woof.

[John Arne]

Fantastic, and deserved.

[Pleb]

Well that escalated quickly.

[phonics]

I think that Coutinho is wildly over-rated for how inconsistent he is but when he scores a goal, it's normally an absolute cracker. This one is no exception. Great play.

[Demerit]

Great strike that.

One thing I've noticed this year is that the first touch of supposedly good players has taken an absolute dive this year. Every good team seems to get so far up the pitch only for a players first touch to ruin the move, it's so frustrating to watch.

Counting down the minutes at work before I bugger off in an hour to get to the 'vic. Where we'll lose.

[John Arne]

Bring Milner off for him. I fucking hate Milner.

He's been bang average all season.

[phonics]

Probably because he's bang average. He's probably Rafa Benitez favourite player of all time.

[Boydy]

He's been bang average all season.

I know. He pisses me off every time I see him.

[Demerit]

I was very tempted to bet against Watford, probably would have done if it wasn't virtual cash.

[Trancemeister]

IFK Norrköping are swedish champions.

[Baz]

Bring Milner off for him. I fucking hate Milner.How he's captain ahead of Lucas is an absolute joke.

[Boydy]

How he's captain ahead of Lucas is an absolute joke.
Ahead of anyone else on the pitch really.


Diego Costa really is a nasty cunt, isn't he?

[QE Harold Flair]

That should be a retrospective ban for perpetual man-child, Costa.

[Boydy]

Yes. Fuck off Milner.

[Baz]

What stream you on, Boydy?

I'm on Premier League Pass today and it's boss.

[Boydy]

I've got BT so I'm just watching it on TV. Premier League Pass is brilliant when it works though, yeah.

[John Arne]

Costa should have gone for that.

[John Arne]

What game are Chelsea watching? That is never a red for Lucas.

But if Klopp could haul him off now that would be great :D

[Boydy]

Lucas could easily have gone there.

Should probably sub him because I can't see him lasting the rest of the game without committing more fouls.

[Boydy]

Coutinho. :drool:

[Boom-Boom]

Fucking hell. Jose is gone if it stays like this, they look well and truly average.

[Lee]

I've enjoyed watching Liverpool here. Two lovely goals.

[John Arne]

Get in!

Shame that Firmino has disappeared again.

[QE Harold Flair]

Time to start a Tobes and Jimmy watch? As man of the people I almost feel it's my duty.

[Lee]

Are they really going to sack Mourinho? If any manager at any club has earned a chance to rebuild from a poor season then it's surely him at Chelsea?

[Smiffy]

.....

[Vim]

I've watched only a couple of Premier League games this season, turned this one on at half-time and I'm absolutely shocked at how impotent Chelsea look. They seem completely out of ideas.

Liverpool, on the other hand, look decent.

[John Arne]

Shouldn't Huth be upfront by now?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I reckon we could quite easily lose three or four nil.

I was so close.

[Boydy]

Benteke. :cool:

[Lee]

Why were they just standing off him?

[Smiffy]

.....

[Max Power]

The thing is with Chelsea it's not just results, it's all the other nonsense. Costa will pick up a ban here, Mourinho will no doubt get banned again. You might forgive a mediocre start but they're a bit of an embarrassment at the moment.

Liverpool have looked good though. Benteke excellent since coming on

[John Arne]

Excellent.

[Boom-Boom]

3-1. Fucking hell :lol:

Didn't Chelsea go 100 odd home games unbeaten under Jose? This will be their 3rd home loss this season (I believe)

[Smiffy]

.....

[Mike]

Easy this ;)

[Jimmy Floyd]

I reckon the issue Mourinho has is that he's just too conservative in all areas. He will get a team playing brilliantly, as last season, but he's just too stubborn to take any risks whatsoever.

A lesser manager, for example, would not have won the things he has, but he would at some point in his career have accepted the idea of full backs crossing the halfway line when it was the right thing.

The bigger issue for us though is why were we buying absolutely shit players like Baba Rahman and Papa Djilobodji in the summer? If you don't want to add, then don't, but don't buy Championship players.

[Max Power]

Big Trev Francis had absolutely roasted John Terry today, nice to hear

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Axel Tuanzebe on the United bench today :cool:

[John Arne]

Eva Carneiro must be frigging herself stupid.

[Shindig]

Mourinho's not lasting the season at this rate.

[Jeet]

Someone is gonna be £30mill richer and without a job

[Boom-Boom]

Can Jose refuse to do media after the game again? (like the did last week)

[Jimmy Floyd]

If we sack Mourinho in October after a league win in May, we might as well just bring in Mark Hughes for shits and giggles.

[Lee]

Trevor Francis has Mourinho written off already. He isn't the first to bang on about him having lost the players though so you'd think somebody is talking. A Terry-orchestrated regicide after being subbed versus Man City.

[Shindig]

If we sack Mourinho in October after a league win in May, we might as well just bring in Mark Hughes for shits and giggles.

I'm keeping that just in case it happens.

[Giggles]

Sack that useless Portuguese cunt right now.

[Jeet]

If we sack Mourinho in October after a league win in May, we might as well just bring in Mark Hughes for shits and giggles.

Did the same with Di Matteo after winning the CL?

[Toby]

Time to start a Tobes and Jimmy watch? As man of the people I almost feel it's my duty.

I'm not sure what you'd be on watch for. They're playing crap and showing no signs of improvement, there's not much else to it. There's no way they finish in the top 5 this year.

There'll probably be a mass exodus over the next couple of windows but I'm not sure there's anybody I'd particularly miss.

[Magic]

:harold:

Hope they sack Mourinho and it gets worse.

[Manc]

3 points, 3 goals and a return to form for the little wizard. Perfect.

[John Arne]

I love how pundits use statistics to justify there own position.

Early on it was 'Liverpool only 1 win in 8', now all of a sudden it's 'Liverpool unbeaten in 11'.

[P_3]

Klopp. :cool:

[Toby]

Like I said before, I don't see any way Mourinho will turn this around. In an ideal world you'd just tell him to take a month off and let somebody else manage for a bit, but that's obviously not going to happen and the scrutiny would be just the same when he came back. As it is, the rug's been pulled out from under him and he clearly has no idea how to put things back in place.

[John Arne]

What a dick Mourinho is.

[Jeet]

Nothing to say Jose :D

[John Arne]

Incidentally, there is no way he deserves to be sacked. He won the title last season.

[Toby]

That doesn't really mean much if he doesn't look able to do it again. If another manager could come in, turn things around and salvage a season with maybe a Europa League finish and good runs in the FA Cup/Champions League, it's hard to stick by Mourinho when he's on course to finish bottom half and alienate every decent player the team has left.

[Jeet]

Int break after the next game. Normally sack managers around then.

[Lewis]

Were Liverpool good (and 'Klopp-like') or were Chelsea balls? This thread suggests the latter.

[Boydy]

A bit of both, really.

[DC]

If one of the most successful managers of the last....well, forever....doesn't deserve more than 11 games after winning the title to 'fix' whatever problem it is, then it's a screwed up world.

I remember Jermain Defoe scoring an unmarked header to inflict Utd's 6th defeat in 10 or so games back in 2001 and only the most idiotic thought Fergie should have gone.

[John Arne]

That doesn't really mean much if he doesn't look able to do it again.

Of course it means something, what a strange thing to say.

He has won so much with Chelsea, that he deserves to have a blip and be given the chance to turn it around.

[Ian]

Were Liverpool good (and 'Klopp-like') or were Chelsea balls? This thread suggests the latter.

Liverpool were mostly piss and wind but Chelsea were so atrocious they didn't need to be any better.

[John Arne]

Hahaha, so apparently the FA aren't showing Chelsea's players enough respect.

He has truly lost it.

[GS]

That was excellent.

[Jeet]

Gomis lolz

Why we always struggle vs Swansea.

[Luca]

Christ. Rooney is about 10 yards off the pace.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I wonder when Van Gaal will finally decide that Rooney needs to be put down.

[Ian]

Christ. Rooney is about 10 yards off the pace.

Getting sharper, then. :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Martial seems to be the best at picking out passes today, shame the few he's picked out have fallen to people who can't finish.

[QE Harold Flair]

Overall, I think we're not looking sharp here but we're showing good spirit.

[Smiffy]

.....

[QE Harold Flair]

Mourinho's in full breakdown mode now. What a terrific prediction by myself.

[Max Power]

God we are so bad at defending set pieces.

[Toby]

Of course it means something, what a strange thing to say.

He has won so much with Chelsea, that he deserves to have a blip and be given the chance to turn it around.

Clearly you think he's able to turn it around, and see previous success as supporting that belief. I am far less convinced.

[Toby]

Were Liverpool good (and 'Klopp-like') or were Chelsea balls? This thread suggests the latter.

Chelsea were crap. Liverpool weren't brilliant but took their chances really well.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Literally anyone on for Rooney so Martial can go up top please.

[Lee]

Fucking hell, we are actually good. :D

[Jeet]

Joel!!

Worked his socks off. Well done lad. Done more than Ox has all season.

3 assist for Ozil?

[randomlegend]

Bloody hell, have we really been as tragic as the stats make it look?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ranieri is such a fucking hero. So is Vardy. England's best player currently.

[Lee]

Vardy has to get a go down the centre for England. He is genuinely good. If I were managing us on FM I'd hate the fact my side was conceding so many but it's just fantastic to watch. It won't last forever (we have a tough run of games from the end of November which will see us drop) but fuck me is this fun. Third going into November, for fuck's sake.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bloody hell, have we really been as tragic as the stats make it look?

More so.

[Max Power]

I sort of wish we'd win at least one game comfortably but it's so much fun maybe I don't. What a team.

Vardy superb again. Best player in the league this season without question.

[Lee]

I sort of wish we'd win at least one game comfortably but it's so much fun maybe I don't. What a team.

Vardy superb again. Best player in the league this season without question.

I could do without the holding out through injury time every week but other than that it can stay this way. All my llife I've heard people going on about how Jimmy Bloomfield's side in the 1970s were the 'great entertainers'. It's nice to have a side of my own to remember that way.

[Max Power]

I could do without the holding out through injury time every week but other than that it can stay this way. All my llife I've heard people going on about how Jimmy Bloomfield's side in the 1970s were the 'great entertainers'. It's nice to have a side of my own to remember that way.

Maybe just look for a couple of better defenders rather than losing the madcap style. It says something that Danny Simpson comes into the side and looks like some defensive rock.

3rd in the table, 11 clear of reigning champions Chelsea :cab:

[QE Harold Flair]

Ozil's looking top class these days :nodd:

[Shindig]

A clean sheet for Rob Eliot for the first time since wartime. Pity his left leg is dead. Could've been 3 but Butland did a grand job. Bournemouth's a huge game now.

[Lee]

Maybe just look for a couple of better defenders rather than losing the madcap style. It says something that Danny Simpson comes into the side and looks like some defensive rock.

3rd in the table, 11 clear of reigning champions Chelsea :cab:

We do need better defenders. But Ranieri's job was to come in and keep us up again and given that he came in late it's sensible of him to just play to our existing strengths which were width and pace. Hopfully he won't piss about too much in January. We're going to be fine, so he can afford to wait until the summer and build a proper backline. He might have to change tactical emphasis anyway as Mahrez will be gone and somebody might take a punt on Vardy.

[Kikó]

Three 0-0s in a row. When is this turd being sacked?

[Danny]

SkySports live feed

"WATFORD 2-0 WEST HAM

West Ham could have gone top of the Premier League had they won here but that outcome never looked like happening as Watford were in complete control. Ighalo scored either side of half-time, although the first will surely be referred to the dubious goals committee, in what was a comfortable win for the Hornets."

Never mind the fact they would have needed both Arsenal and City to lose eh?

[Danny]

Three 0-0s in a row. When is this turd being sacked?

Rooney or LVG? :moop:

[Lee]

Ighalo looks quality. He won't be at Watford beyond this summer.

[Kikó]

Rooney or LVG? :moop:

Both sharpish.

[Lee]

Top two scorers in the league as well now apparently. Jesus.

[Max Power]

We do need better defenders. But Ranieri's job was to come in and keep us up again and given that he came in late it's sensible of him to just play to our existing strengths which were width and pace. Hopfully he won't piss about too much in January. We're going to be fine, so he can afford to wait until the summer and build a proper backline. He might have to change tactical emphasis anyway as Mahrez will be gone and somebody might take a punt on Vardy.
I don't see Vardy leaving at all. Mahrez maybe but we can ask for HUGE money and as good as he is I'm sure we can attract a similar tricky wide man.

It's a weird feeling to have almost complete faith in the club. From board level to scouting to management to players. It's a good time to be a Leicester City fan, better savour it.

[Luke Emia]

First time in a very long time I've enjoyed a Liverpool game. Probably back to tanking Spurs at the start of last season to be honest. From today Benteke looks like he could be a good fit for this team with Klopp in charge,

[Smiffy]

.....

[QE Harold Flair]

Does this mean the expectation level is rising?

[Jeet]

Ozil's looking top class these days :nodd:

That's what you get playing him in the correct position instead being wasted on the left.

[Lee]

The Turin derby is shaping up nicely. Juve 1-0 up just before half time but Torino have had a couple of good chances to equalise. I'm really enjoying watching Serie A this season.

[Vim]

I don't like the way we attack with Cuadrado though. Dybala-Morata are a central pair, instead they are both shifted to the left because Cuadrado is on and I think they both lose effectiveness, especially Morata who has to play way too far back and wide.

[Giggles]

The Turin derby is shaping up nicely. Juve 1-0 up just before half time but Torino have had a couple of good chances to equalise. I'm really enjoying watching Serie A this season.

Been so entertaining. First season I've really got back into it and I'm really glad I did.

[Max Power]

Inter-Roma tonight should be interesting. Although Inter are a fairly brutal outfit, hope Roma stuff them.

[Vim]

Napoli are great fun to watch, they play very attacking football and have some great players upfront. (Insigne :drool:)

[Demerit]

Ighalo looks quality. He won't be at Watford beyond this summer.

We accepted a £10m bid for him in the summer from China but he chose to stay.

He's just an excellent poacher, if it wasn't for Deeney's workrate he'd never have the space so a lot of credit has to go to Troy.

Another excellent win, starting to feel a bit safer now.

[Reg]

I'm not sure what you'd be on watch for. They're playing crap and showing no signs of improvement, there's not much else to it. There's no way they finish in the top 5 this year.

There'll probably be a mass exodus over the next couple of windows but I'm not sure there's anybody I'd particularly miss.
You wouldn't miss any player from a title winning team? You should be frustrated with Mourinho, not the players.

14 points behind 1st now. I'd be fuming if I was a Chelsea fan, he's basically recycling the same team and formation while refusing to give clearly talented players their chance.


Inter-Roma tonight should be interesting. Although Inter are a fairly brutal outfit, hope Roma stuff them.
Looking forward to it. 1st v 4th and only 2 points between them. Although they were saying on Football Weekly how dull Inter are.

[Lee]

Bovo has just scored a cracking equaliser for Torino.

[niko_cee]

I only watched the first 40 minutes of the Liverpool game but thought they looked quite good.

Chelsea were dreadful, mind.

[Reg]

I think Ajax are playing a shexy 3-4-3 diamond. 2-0 in five minutes.

Has anyone heard of that kid who was on the bench for United today? Axel Tuanzebe.

They only managed 5 shots against Palace. I guess that could be misleading but it sounds pretty terrible.

[Lee]

Juventis have got themselves a winner three minutes into injury time. Fuckers.

[Spoonsky]

MASSIVE result for Liverpool. Even given Chelsea's current form it's not the sort of game we'd usually win, especially after conceding in the first five minutes.

You did sort of see how Benteke can work for us, the second and third goals were both created by him winning a long ball and knocking it down. The thing is that Coutinho, Lallana and Firmino are essentially the same player and without someone like Benteke to play around there's no strength at all to our attack and we rely on the occasional Coutinho magic to score.

Our defense was also immense today, it must be said, which is a nice change. Skrtel in particular must have had his best game in ages.

[Spoonsky]

If we sack Mourinho in October after a league win in May, we might as well just bring in Mark Hughes for shits and giggles.

It's crying out for Tactics Tim.

[Reg]

I wouldn't yet, but I'd get rid of him soon if things don't improve.

How many more weeks/months would you take of this, Jimmy Floyd / other Chelsea fans?

[Jimmy Floyd]

I don't really care. I've seen us win everything available, most of it multiple times. We've been due a decline ever since Lampard and Drogba left their peak, although I suppose nobody expected it this rapidly. Without those two and Cech (and despite the presence of Terry) we lose most of the identity and leadership that we had through the glory years. In fact, what this season may be doing is exposing Terry as a little bit of a myth. I've long held the belief that Drogba was by far the most important figure in the dressing room.

What I'd question about the club more than current first team results is precisely what the Player Farm is supposed to achieve, and why we are signing absolute non-entities like Papy Djilobodji who aren't even good enough to make a profit on.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Just realised I managed to write a two paragraph post about Chelsea without mentioning the manager. It can be done, folks. You all need to stop playing his game.

[Spoonsky]

I'm still convinced you've made that name up.

[Reg]

The manager is responsible for his players, not vice versa.

You could justify sacking Mourinho, you couldn't justify sacking Fabregas and Hazard (or whoever).

[Jimmy Floyd]

I know but my point is we were always going to go to shit eventually. If we sack Mourinho and appoint even the best possible manager available, the best that will happen is that we'll have to start a long, slow rebuilding period, probably selling Hazard along the way and building a new team in someone else's image, which can take years and years to be successful and could well fail anyway.

If on the other hand we keep him around, then we might have a few more blowouts before the end of the season but we will be better placed to take advantage if things have an uptick again. Nobody gets one off results like old Jose.

[Jimmy Floyd]

When do we play Leicester? Might find it so hard to support us in that match.

[Multi]

Chelsea look like they need a proper rebuilding as a team, which might be strange considering the same squad won the league last season, but on the other hand a single season can make all the difference too. I'm just basing this on how they look as a team to me this season, when the team is under-performing it's apparent a lot of players aren't up to par for a side like Chelsea.

It's nice that Arsenal are actually contenders this season for a change, here's hoping that City end up in meltdown too. If they don't 2nd is always better than 4th (as long as the Arsenal players don't share my mentality).

[Reg]

Definitely see your reasoning, Jim.

I think the damage from missing out on the Champions League - which I suspect will happen if Mourinho stays - might well make that rebuilding much tougher. Players like Hazard will want to go and they'll be hard to replace.

[Danny]

I think Ajax are playing a shexy 3-4-3 diamond. 2-0 in five minutes.

Has anyone heard of that kid who was on the bench for United today? Axel Tuanzebe.

They only managed 5 shots against Palace. I guess that could be misleading but it sounds pretty terrible.

The Ajax formation? (https://theother87.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/ajax-95-old.jpg) :drool:

I had a coach at home, who had been a pro and then coached at Ajax CT, who wanted to play like that. It was a nightmare as most players didnt have a clue what they were doing.

[Giggles]

He has completely lost them and his siege mentality, whilst great when things are going well, is absolutely useless in this situation. You can't do 'us against the world' when there is no 'us' His ego is really hurting things too in his flat out refusal to change anything.
The complete and utter don we once knew looks to be gone and it's been replaced by a paranoid mess who has absolutely no idea what to do from here and no inclination to even begin trying. The ego is still there but now it's a weakness.

[Lee]

When do we play Leicester? Might find it so hard to support us in that match.

Monday 14th December.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Yeah but the thing about football, particularly modern football is that nothing remains either good or shit for very long.

[Reg]

The Ajax formation? (https://theother87.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/ajax-95-old.jpg) :drool:

I had a coach at home, who had been a pro and then coached at Ajax CT, who wanted to play like that. It was a nightmare as most players didnt have a clue what they were doing.
Yep. :cool: I only watched the first 35 as I switched to see some Inter-Roma build up, but they looked seriously good on the break. The 3rd goal was lovely.

That sounds brilliant attempting it, at least. Do you think he wasn't all that good of a coach? Did he give up and switch system?

[Danny]

He was a good coach, probably the best I have had. We tried it for about 6/7 games before he gave it up because it just wasn't working.

It was weird but people just didnt seem to understand it. There was too much responsibility on players who couldn't grasp it. I think there is a reason the have their kids playing it for years on end.

This (https://timhi.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/ajax-1995/) article is great for anyone who hasnt read it.

Just noctied the who made the first comment.

[Bam]

We've been due a decline ever since Lampard and Drogba left their peak, although I suppose nobody expected it this rapidly. Without those two and Cech (and despite the presence of Terry) we lose most of the identity and leadership that we had through the glory years..

And here is Chelsea's problem, not one of them players have come through the Chelsea system and they have no true affinity with the club.

But you know, throwing blue paint over the world cup winners in the Barking Road was never going to start world war III. Very classy. :wanker:

[Giggles]

:D West Ham fans giving it loads in their two minutes.

[Lee]

How many of them had come through the Chelsea system when they pissed their way to the league title six months ago?

[Lee]

:D West Ham fans giving it loads in their two minutes.

I know. They're not even in the top four for fuck's sake.

[Bam]

I think you lot are mistaken, I've said this for years.

But ok, fine, lets celebrate Chelsea buying the league. Fucking great.

[Bam]

None, English football will learn a lesson from them.

[Lee]

How the fuck have Roma not scored?

[Bam]

Ok, so how does this fucking quoting thing work on here?

[Jimmy Floyd]

These days not even the players who do come through systems at a particular club have an affinity with it, from day one it's all about agents and who gets the money from transfers.

[Mellberg]

Yeah but the thing about football, particularly modern football is that nothing remains either good or shit for very long.

I contest this. Villa have been complete shit for over half a decade.

[Reg]

How the fuck have Roma not scored?
Bet Dzeko feels like a right mug. Salah probably should have scored his as well.


This (https://timhi.wordpress.com/2010/09/14/ajax-1995/) article is great for anyone who hasnt read it.

Just noctied the who made the first comment.
Good read, cheers. I think I've seen an Ajax player saying before how he didn't like playing for van Gaal because he was made to pass if two men were on him.

Bet Ian set up his 3-4-3 on FM right away.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I contest this. Villa have been complete shit for over half a decade.

I did think about you and Sunderland before clicking post, but then thought fuck it.

[Jeet]

Cock ring anyone?

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

[Reg]

Inter look the sort of boring team that could finish 1st.

It's gonna be a really good title race from the looks of it.

[Mellberg]

I did think about you and Sunderland before clicking post, but then thought fuck it.

Can't even sing 'Have you ever won the European Cup?' at your place anymore either. Truly sad times.

[Davgooner]

Never in doubt, that.

http://www.wearetheherd.com/forum/Smileys/herd/Lookaround.gif

[Davgooner]

http://www.wearetheherd.com/forum/Smileys/herd/Bustingup.gif

[Danny]

660509068054786048

Love goals like that. He started with the ball at the beginning of the clip too.

[Waffdon]

Nearly cried today. Absolutely fucked. Seeing my team fight for something was a shocker and a welcome sight


Pls

[Jimmy Floyd]

I did cry, although it was mostly because I was chopping onions at the same time as being told of the sudden death of a close relative. Chelsea's defeat was just the straw that broke the camel's back.

[QE Harold Flair]

I can't stop thinking about Mourinho.

[Waffdon]

I did cry, although it was mostly because I was chopping onions at the same time as being told of the sudden death of a close relative. Chelsea's defeat was just the straw that broke the camel's back.

M8 I didn't think it was possible to get these cunts to fight. It was beautiful.

I love you all x

[Waffdon]

Well, not all of you. Some more than ours.

MJ BABY :wub:

[Yevrah]

It's only MotD highlights, but my word Chelsea look shite here.

[Multi]

Real Madrid are +20 (24 and 4) goal difference 10 games into the league. Not bad.

[Toby]

You wouldn't miss any player from a title winning team? You should be frustrated with Mourinho, not the players.

I am frustrated with Mourinho - as is clear from my posting - but no, there aren't many players in the current first team who would be hugely missed. There's talent there but the attitude and mentality is way off what is needed to be a consistently successful team.

[Smiffy]

.....

[phonics]

By the way, Jose Mourinho's one man crying band railing against managers inability to criticise referees gets dumber by the day. Everyone has been criticising them since the dawn of time, you just can't claim it's a global conspiracy against you and specifically you because you're so amazing. It's quite easy.

Literally every part of this outside of not buying John Stones has been caused by Mourinho. And even then he probably damaged that with his comments/leaks.

[Toby]

Mourinho's problem is that he's done what would have worked with his teams of the past. Had this sort of thing been going on in his first Chelsea term, or even his Inter team, the rest of the team would look to the players he was dropping and expect them to sort themselves out. They'd be coming back to the team desperate to prove themselves, not just to Mourinho but to the rest of the team. Half of these lot just don't seem to care, and it doesn't look like Mourinho knows what to do about that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/400/amz/vivo/live/images/2015/11/1/53f2151a-7633-4cf6-a9ee-0460ab407eb1.jpg

Rooney's touches against Palace, none of which came in the opposition box...

[Yevrah]

That even Lewis isn't bothering to defend him now tells you all you need to know.

2019 that contract ended, was it? :drool:

[Lewis]

I still say he's only become properly useless this season. He has been on-and-off shit for years, but he was still scoring goals and running around (Ferguson's teams no doubt helped to conceal it by giving him eight chances a game to score from). Now it's gone a bit Fernando Torres.

The question is how Football (that is United, England, and sponsors) react. Shit or not, he's English football's only internationally recognised brand, so we're going to do all we can to avoid having to accept it. The uncertainty isn't worth contemplating for most of them.

[QE Harold Flair]

Sounds like an admission of e-defeat to me.

[Lewis]

I'll claim my words meant something else entirely before I let that happen.

[Mellberg]

FF'S :D

dots

[Lee]

Everton-Sunderland is a good game. Space all over the shop.

[Waffdon]

http://i.imgur.com/B9cTSB7.png

Peroxide Pele donning it again.

[Yevrah]

Everton-Sunderland is a good game. Space all over the shop.

It is, isn't it.

Lukaku. :cool:

[Benny]

What a game, bollocks to defending, much rather see this.

[Waffdon]

Deulofeu is fucking ridiculous. He's a cheating cunt too. :drool:

Geezer's end product was awful last time he was at Everton as well.

[Yevrah]

Yep - I'm sure the Barclays Premier League sponsored by Barclays used to have a lot more games like this.

Might be rose tinted I guess.

Ooh, here we go again.

[Benny]

Fuck me, need a Sunderland goal though to keep it 'close'.

[Disco]

Everton briefly managed to match Sunderland in the game of 'how much space can we give the opposition' but they've been blown out of the water in the second half.

[Waffdon]

Jesus, Lukaku.

Six goals and Barkley doing nothing for the FFP. cunt

[Benny]

What a ball.

[Yevrah]

Kone looks about fifty up close.

[Lee]

I thought that. Proper old man face.

[ScousePig]

Whilst the game showed up our glaring deficiencies again, there were some positives. Defoe and Fletcher looked threatening and we genuinely looked like scoring for a lot of the game. If they hadn't been so clinical we'd have been well in it, but if you allow Everton to play and are so open with slow defenders you're asking for trouble.

[ScousePig]

Probably worth pointing out that we tried an alien formation today and have a new manager, so that could have played a part in the openness.

[Lee]

Won't be long until Southampton score here Bournemouth can't get out.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Shindig]

I'm trying to recall the last time a Sam side shipped so many. City put 7 past West Ham when they were in that "Bollocks to the cups." mood a couple of years back, right?

[ScousePig]

I'm trying to recall the last time a Sam side shipped so many. City put 7 past West Ham when they were in that "Bollocks to the cups." mood a couple of years back, right?

He's never managed Sunderland though.

[CJay]

That was in December / January of last season, no?

[Byron]

Yeah when he'd been all but told he was out in the summer.

[Waffdon]

That was lovely from Pelle.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Bournemouth just cannot defend on any level.

[Waffdon]

Their striker is fucking Glenn Murray as well. Pray for them.

[Lee]

Both Bournemouth and Norwich are fucked by their defences.

[five time]

Martin Tyler is unbearable today.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I quite like Martin Tyler's bumbling asides. Nice change from the other Sky commentators for whom everything is DEADLY FUCKING SERIOUS.

[Davgooner]

These fan channels really are the end of football.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeSzX6qtL4k

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ron Chopper-Harris back in the 80s.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He reminds me of Randrew.

[Lewis]

Randrew would sleep for a month after that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Randrew would sleep for a month after that.
He's sorted now, Rocket League seems to be his medicine.

He's played about 600 hours in the past 2 weeks.

[QE Harold Flair]

I'll claim my words meant something else entirely before I let that happen.

I'd highlight your inconsistency.

[Baz]

Everything about that video is terrible. Especially the comments.

http://www.littlemonstersforum.co.uk/images/q/8taqonpd.png

[Reg]

:sick:

[Lewis]

I'd highlight your inconsistency.

Good luck. :happycry:

[Boydy]

That lad's definitely a bit special needs.

[Reg]

Re Rooney: Jermaine Jenas made the point that you can't really remember him missing chances. I mean you could maybe name a couple, but I'm sure his chance conversion rate must be pretty good, or at least not terrible. United don't cross it, there's very rarely through balls, it's all very "play the percentages" in the most dull, van Gaalish sense of the phrase.

[Giggles]

While that may be true, when you see him waddle after a through ball he should really be getting to ahead of the goalkeeper yesterday you can see he's just not the same player any more. Some of the lack of chances is down to him.

[Reg]

Without doubt he's not what he used to be but I think it's tough to be a striker in that team. Although I would definitely play Martial up front, who seems capable of creating his own chances, and beating a man (something Rooney can only dream of).

[Giggles]

Garde for Villa.

http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/34695249

[wullie]

Last season at the end of October we were dogshit at home against Peterborough and went in 2-0 down at half-time only to inexplicably come back a different team in the second half and win 3-2. The exact same thing happened yesterday, it was ridiculous. It's November 1st and we've already won more home games than the entirety of 14/15. I'm praying Newcastle go on an amazing run so they leave Adam Armstrong where he is for the next two or three years.

[Waffdon]

Signing Japan's number one :cool:

[Shindig]

That video gives me an appreciation for The True Geordie. I don't want this.

"Oooh, that yewchube money got me a green screen and I don't have to wear a coat indoors. Mint."

[Benny]

Is it Claud and Ty who are to blame for these fan TV youtube videos? They're all shit, a bunch of idiots trying to get their five minutes of internet fame by overreacting more than the person on the screen before them.

[Davgooner]

In most cases it's literally the same 4/5 tits every single game as well. In our case it's all the wrong'uns and mongs who travel with the club transport to away days. They all now think of themselves as celebrities and the geezer who run AFTV is now offering tours of the Emirates with himself as the host.

You can't fault the fact that they're at every single game, fair play, but I fucking cringe when I see the twats lined up outside ready for another go.

[Jeet]

I cringe everytime I see Wright-Phillips double on AFTV dressed up like he has played 89mins and just been subbed off drinking out of his water bottle too.

Don't get me started on Bully and his Harry Kane rant last year.

[wullie]

Please, nobody get him started.

[Lewis]

Wasn't Andy Tate the first 'celebrity' to come from it? He was massive (not MASSIVE) for a few months.

[Davgooner]

I cringe everytime I see Wright-Phillips double on AFTV dressed up like he has played 89mins and just been subbed off drinking out of his water bottle too.

Don't get me started on Bully and his Harry Kane rant last year.

Bully used to go with us up until about 2003 when he lost the plot on a bus back from the scousers at home and got banned. Seems to have gone from a sound bloke to a bit of a mentalist, and no idea how he pays for it all.