[Football] New Year's Weekend Fixtures

[Reg]

FRIDAY

Championship
Brighton 0-1 Wolves
QPR 1-2 Hull

SATURDAY

Premier League
West Ham v Liverpool (12:45 BT Sport 1)
Arsenal v Newcastle
Leicester v Bournemouth
Man Utd v Swansea
Norwich v Southampton
Sunderland v Aston Villa
West Brom v Stoke
Watford v Man City (17:30 Sky Sports 1)

Championship
Birmingham v Brentford
Bolton v Huddersfield
Burnley v Ipswich
Cardiff v Blackburn
Charlton v Nottm Forest
Fulham v Sheff Wed
Leeds v MK Dons
Middlesbrough v Derby
Preston v Rotherham
Reading v Bristol City

TV
Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory (06:15 BT Sport 2)
Melbourne City v Sydney FC (08:30 BT Sport 2)
Dundee v Dundee United (12:30 Sky Sports 1)
Alloa Athletic v Falkirk (17:15 BBC ALBA)
Vitoria Guimaraes v Benfica (18:30 BT Sport Europe)
Atletico Madrid v Levante (19:30 Sky Sports 5)
Sporting Lisbon v FC Porto (20:45 BT Sport Europe)
Malaga v Celta Vigo La Liga (21:05 Sky Sports 5)

SUNDAY

Premier League
Crystal Palace v Chelsea (13:30 Sky Sports 1)
Everton v Tottenham (16:00 Sky Sports 1)

TV
Newcastle Jets v Melbourne Victory (06:00 BT Sport 1)
Rayo Vallecano v Real Sociedad (11:00 Sky Sports 5)
St Johnstone v Aberdeen (12:30 BT Sport 1)
Granada v Sevilla (15:00 Sky Sports 3)
Real Betis v Eibar (15:00 Sky Sports Red Button)
Athletic Bilbao v Las Palmas (17:15 Sky Sports Red Button)
Deportivo La Coruna v Villarreal (17:15 Sky Sports 3)
Valencia v Real Madrid La Liga (19:30 Sky Sports 3)

[Yevrah]

Everton vs. Tottenham again I see.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Everton vs. Tottenham again I see.

1-1 perhaps?

[Yevrah]

1-1 perhaps?

:D

I would suspect that's a cast iron certainty.

[Lee]

I'm, as always, very much looking forward to tomorrow. Bournemouth are a good side and both clubs play entertaining football.

[Reg]

Our game was a bit rubbish. Wolves were defending very deep but I think much of the plodding possession was our own doing. We've lost a bit of intensity. I think the players who are playing every game will be tired; Kayal is looking forward to a rest from the sounds of it.

Looking forward to the cup game for a bit of a break from the league. Just hope Hull rotate as much as we do.

[Pleb]

The title race is a little bit tasty. Leicester and Arsenal to keep drawing games then.

[Kikó]

I'm at the game tomorrow. Mildly hopeful there may be a goal.

[Davgooner]

Newcastle to run riot.

[Shindig]

I just don't know any more. Darlow between the sticks again.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Mellberg]

I'd bill this as a must win, but we're already down on account of being complete shite.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Mellberg]

Nah, we're fucked.

[John Arne]

Remember when Mascherano couldn't get into the West Ham team :)

[TG09]

Arsenal to win and Man Utd to lose

[Kikó]

Nobody thinks united beating Swansea is turning a corner. Don't offer false attributes to us when turning the corner was Liverpool's thing for the last twenty years.

[Yevrah]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35210784

rofl.

[Ian]

I'm already certain that our victory today will see us go on and win the league.

[CJay]

Is Hodgson staying on after the Euros?

[mo]

Swindon's match at Port Vale postponed due to waterlogged pitch. How dull.

[Yevrah]

Is Hodgson staying on after the Euros?

I think we're about to (if we haven't already) commit the cardinal sin of offering a man who wants the job more than we need him a new deal ahead of a tournament again.

[Jimmy Floyd]

It's good to see Gary Neville ruling himself out of the equation with 2 points from 4 games and a trip to Sir Rafa's Emporium tomorrow night.

[Yevrah]

The old boy network that pervades around the England set-up with its stench of failure really is quite sickening.

[CJay]

It feels like expectations have been successfully lowered in the past 4 or 5 years.

[ScousePig]

I'd bill this as a must win, but we're already down on account of being complete shite.

For us it's still a must win. We're not quite at the 'already down' stage yet, but then I'd say the same for you.

[Lee]

http://youtu.be/sx61PsHggLM

Somebody with too much time on his hands clearly, but what a cracking effort with the lyrics here. :D

[Magic]

United putting in thar Kamikaze goalkeeper after him literally arriving from Japan yesterday. :D

4-1 Dundee I'm afraid.

[Kikó]

Great signing that though. Not sure about Japanese goalkeepers but he's got pedigree.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I love how there are certain nationalities that do and don't inspire confidence in goalkeepers. You want a nice boring safe nationality like Polish or Danish, rather than a goalkeeper of exactly the same ability from Japan or Nigeria.

[Magic]

McPakes's knee. :sick:

Then conceding. :D

[Byron]

Oi oi.

[Boydy]

West Ham's pitch looks terrible.

[SvN]

ESPN FC's Shaka Hislop agrees with David Moyes' assertion that Man United should not sack Louis van Gaal.

I don't know what it is, but that made me laugh out loud. Not because it's a laughable assertion - I'm not 100% we should be sacking him this instant (it largely depends on a superior replacement) - but the idea of Shaka Hislop backing LvG is just genius.

[CJay]

West Ham look dangerous every time they enter our half. We look hopeless.

[Samadini]

Andy Carroll to shit on the cunts. :drool:

[Cord]

This does look like it has the potential to be a bit of a rogering...Rodgersring? Rogering.

Liverpool's defence is a disaster area.

[Boydy]

West Ham look dangerous every time they enter our half. We look hopeless.

Yep.

West Ham are still at evens on Betfair Exchange as well, if anyone fancies some free money.

[Boydy]

Fucking Benteke.

[Luke Emia]

Two things. Stop the fucking crosses. And just Benteke.

[Magic]

Kamikaze indeed. :harold:

[Boydy]

I think Benteke is just exceptionally thick. His thinking seems to be about 2-3 seconds behind everyone else on the pitch. It explains his terrible movement and his fannying about in front of goal when clean through.

[Boydy]

The ball was on the edge of the box there and he was just wandering around the pitch about twenty yards behind it. WHAT IS HE DOING.

[Lee]

I'm not watching this but from what ai'm reading Liverpool are shit. How the fuck did we let them batter us?

[John Arne]

Jesus. Just jog off the pitch. Fucking sitting on the pitch like a little kid.

[mugbull]

Firmin(h)o is totally pointless

[John Arne]

Firmino and Benteke are staggeringly crap.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm enjoying Liverpool being crap whilst it lasts. I reckon they'll be pretty good next year.

[Magic]

https://twitter.com/Sean_Nicol/status/683268835479269377

McPake's knee.

[Magic]

That's it, United are down. No coming back from this morale wise.

[Boydy]

Well of course that was going to happen.

[Luke Emia]

Crosses.

[CJay]

It's quite amazing how bad our defending is, not just our back four but right throughout the pitch.

[Samadini]

He better be going to France. Beast.

[CJay]

Does Lovren have any form for hitting free kicks like that? :cab:

[Lewis]

Sacking 'Brendan' was such a waste of time.

[Boydy]

Can we have Andy Carroll back and give West Ham Benteke?

[Pen]

Because the utter shitmuncher they have in charge, I can't do anything but rejoice for every shit result that comes their way.

edit: Didn't refresh, I was replying to Magic.

[Boydy]

Because the utter shitmuncher they have in charge, I can't do anything but rejoice for every shit result that comes their way.

You hate Klopp?

[mugbull]

Liverpool's squad is absolutely mid table. Other than their fullbacks, they're mediocre all round the pitch. Henderson might be top 4 quality but he's not even playing

[CJay]

Our full backs? Pfftt.

[CJay]

Joe Allen is such a depressing substitution to make when looking to get back into a game.

[Lee]

Klopp will be fine, he is doing fuck all this season though.

[Luke Emia]

I would say our full backs and their complete inability to stop crosses coming into the box has been a big part of the problem today.

[Boydy]

They're decent going forward but they're not very good defenders.

[Boydy]

Mignolet has probably been Liverpool's best player today. It could have been more if not for a few decent saves from him. How depressing.

Never mind Liverpool losing though, this has just been a shit, boring match.

[Pen]

You hate Klopp?

No, I think he's pretty good. I meant Paatelainen at Dundee United.

[Giggles]

I thought the United was Leeds and you meant Evans.

[John]

Liverpool's squad is absolutely mid table. Other than their fullbacks, they're mediocre all round the pitch. Henderson might be top 4 quality but he's not even playing

Coutinho is comfortably their best player.

[Boydy]

He's becoming a pain in the arse though. Just wants to shoot all the time.

[Davgooner]

683305737783754753

[Boydy]

Tweet, not twitter, in the tags, Dave.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Dav attempting to post twitter links?

The fuck is happening right now?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Hope nobody's on Premier League or Championship overs.

[Giggles]

Is that just a photo? I've been trying to get it to play on both the twitter mobile site and Falcon.

[John]

He's becoming a pain in the arse though. Just wants to shoot all the time.

So would I if I had Benteke lumbering about in front of me waiting for passes. He's like a more expensive Balotelli at the moment.

[Davgooner]

Hope nobody's on Premier League or Championship overs.

:moop:

[Boydy]

So would I if I had Benteke lumbering about in front of me waiting for passes. He's like a more expensive Balotelli at the moment.

:D

That's true. Harry Redknapp was wanking on about them needing to cross more for him. He doesn't even bother his arse to challenge for crosses when they do come in and sometimes he's not even in the fucking box for them. He's a complete waste of space at the minute.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

"The Swansea goalkeeper’s not made a save, has he? Dull, dull, dull. It’s as though Manchester United are told not to make a mistake, so their players get so far and decide: ‘I’m letting someone else have it.’”

Kiko must be having a whale of a time.

[Lee]

Fuck me this could be 3-3. This lot are good.

[John]

That Brentford Twitter page is quality. They're doing a sort of minute by minute of what sounds like a ferociously dull game.


25 | Good spell from The Bees and @RyannWoods4 crosses but no player makes the run and it rolls across face of goal (0-0)


30 | Tarky breaks forward and wins the ball back on edge of the box, plays in Vibe but Canos doesn't make the run Vibe expects (0-0)


32 | Swift treads on the ball and it falls to Judge just inside the box but his shot is blocked (0-0)

Have a break, mate. Get yourself some tea.

[Josh]

Fuck me this could be 3-3. This lot are good.

Muff really should have 2 at least and Vardy should have buried his first chance. Good game!

[Davgooner]

That Brentford Twitter page is quality. They're doing a sort of minute by minute of what sounds like a ferociously dull game.







Have a break, mate. Get yourself some tea.

They've taken down that fucking picture now.

[ScousePig]

That Brentford Twitter page is quality. They're doing a sort of minute by minute of what sounds like a ferociously dull game.

Have a break, mate. Get yourself some tea.

Don't all the official club pages do that?

[John]

Don't all the official club pages do that?

Probably. I don't use Twitter, but it seems like a good use of the format.

Their guy seems particularly keen to report on entirely meaningless moments of the game though, which was my point.

[mugbull]

Likelihood of 1 goal in 6 games at halftime? My calculations say 1%. Fucking shit

[mugbull]

Probably. I don't use Twitter, but it seems like a good use of the format.

Their guy seems particularly keen to report on entirely meaningless moments of the game though, which was my point.

Have you never seen a live text feed of a game?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

9 straight games at Old Trafford where we have failed to score in the first half.

Louis :drool:

[ScousePig]

Probably. I don't use Twitter, but it seems like a good use of the format.

Their guy seems particularly keen to report on entirely meaningless moments of the game though, which was my point.

I know, but I think they all generally update every few minutes. I know Sunderland's does, so you can imagine how exciting that is.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Chelsea's official twitter is brilliant.

'Diego Costa plays a pass out to the right which narrowly evades Willian, and it's a throw in to Hull. Only a matter of time until the Blues open the scoring.'

'And that's a goal, 1-0 to Hull.'

[Lewis]

I liked that Diego Simeone/United story. Is he seen as an aggro-less Jose Mourinho or merely a cheaper one?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Aggro-less? More aggro if anything. He's a gypo twat.

[ScousePig]

'48' Brown clears and Villa win a corner. Mannone does well to punch the cross away #SUNAVL'

[ScousePig]

'51' Gestede leaps and heads a shot well-wide of Mannone's goal #SUNAVL'

You get the idea.

[Lewis]

Aggro-less? More aggro if anything. He's a gypo twat.

He is a gypo twat, but his aggro is all with referees and the council. He seems less likely to fall out with his players and Bobby Charlton's wife.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Also doesn't speak English, which might seem trivial but it's notable that his players at Atletico are always all-Latin (or near enough) and subscribe to gypoball and rolling around on the deck once 1-0 up. Not sure that's very United.

[Toby]

Does Mahrez normally take penalties and jut let Vardy take them to keep his run going?

[Reg]

The weird thing about minute by minute reports is that sites link to them after games have been played. Who would want to read one of a finished match?

Maybe it's for the user comments.

[Giggles]

Best striker in the league :cool:

[randomlegend]

Martial is a brilliant player.

[Giggles]

And now super Johnny Walters. What a day.

[Toby]

Leicester aren't going to win, are they? :(

[Lee]

So poor going forward in that second half. Never mind, a bit of a rest before the next one now.

[Davgooner]

Got to keep beating the shit.

[Lewis]

Turned the corner. :drool:

[ScousePig]

Turned the corner :drool:

[Samadini]

Got a flat on our way round the corner. :(

[Waffdon]

Today was an absolute gutter. First time I've been down all season even knowing we'd be relegated


Reap what you sow.

[Davgooner]

Got a flat on our way round the corner. :(

No idea if you watched it, but you were good value for at least a point today.

[Samadini]

It's been the case in a lot of games this season, it's what has me thinking we won't go down, but we need to score some fucking goals.

[Reg]

Ighalo :cool:

Good game this.

[Reg]

From a Brighton fan site:

Tony Bloom needs to chuck money at a striker in January

We have Zamora, a loan from Man Utd, an Israeli international and Baldock (currently injured but first eleven when we weren't having problems scoring). It's not going to get much better than that in the Championship.

Silly how quickly fans jump to "We need a striker!" when things aren't going right. As if there can never be other factors.

[John]

Another way of looking at that is that you have a bloke in his seventies, a kid with no experience and questionable professionalism, Israeli international Tomer Hemed, and a crocked div with five goals in eighteen months.

[Reg]

Well that's a silly way of phrasing things (and where did the questionable professionalism come from? His lack of experience hasn't mattered - he's played well and already scored a couple).

They were good enough for us when we were top of the table.

[Kikó]

He looked like he had been on the lash yesterday.

Anyway great to see Rooney back. What a hero.

[Reg]

He's been ill for a while.

[Davgooner]

It's some effort by Pellegrini to make this group of players so shit.

[Sam]

He threw up several times before kick off :D?

[Reg]

He did throw up on the pitch. Still played well, was probably one of the better players.

[John]

Well that's a silly way of phrasing things (and where did the questionable professionalism come from? His lack of experience hasn't mattered - he's played well and already scored a couple).

They were good enough for us when we were top of the table.

No sillier than citing a nameless Israeli international when bumming up the quality of the frontline. Tal Ben-Haim is an Israeli international and he's shite.

Zamora is aging and, that bonkers chip last year aside, hasn't been much good for a few years anyway. I thought the same as Kiko about Wilson, but even still you can't really pin everything on a kid, which you are doing if his understudies are Tomer Hemed, who has looked as uncoordinated as a first round Dancing on Ice exit when I've seen him, and the aforementioned crock with four goals in eighteen months.

[Reg]

They're all good enough for an upper Championship side, and none of our fans were complaining about them when we were top. How many times have you seen Hemed? Wilson should be playing fairly regularly for United.

[-james-]

Are Arsenal really going to win the league? This has to be the weakest premier league season I can remember.

[Sam]

I thought your attack was rather limp if anything, I mean our anti-football tactics don't help but I couldn't see you scoring for a month of sundays.

[John]

They're all good enough for an upper Championship side, and none of our fans were complaining about them when we were top. How many times have you seen Hemed? Wilson should be playing fairly regularly for United.

Loads. Rangers were linked with him years ago and I saw him plenty at Mallorca.

'They weren't moaning when we were top' is a bit of a daft rebuttal. Of course they weren't moaning when you were top and scoring goals. Now you're eight points off it and without a goal in three games, so people are moaning.

[Reg]

The bigger issue is that both of our first choice wingers are out, as well as our first and second choice left backs, meaning that we have much less input from the flanks than we would usually. Bruno was the only one creating things from out wide.

We're also giving away early goals, making it hard for ourselves and meaning that we're having to play so much of the game a goal down, so teams can sit back too much.

The quality of our strikers isn't a problem.

[Ian]

The league is ON, Rooney is BACK and CAPS LOCK.

[Lewis]

This is about the most City performance ever.

[Max Power]

Don't think we're gonna win the league anymore. Mahrez was dogshit.

40 points though. Should be safe. Claudio :cool:

[Bam]

Don't think we're gonna win the league anymore.

You actually thought you would??? :o

Good performance today from us, its a joy to go over and watch the hammers now, unlike last season. Also I watched Klopp in the dugout, he's a character, he'll get Liverpool sorted if given time.

[Bam]

Oh and James Collins is a beast, bet Villa wish they kept him now.

[John]

Oh and James Collins is a beast, bet Villa wish they kept him now.

Yeah, bet they're seriously dwelling on a nothing transfer from four years ago. Mugs.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Reg]

Gary Neville doesn't plan to be a coach/manager http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/10117969/neville-rules-out-managerial-future

[Shindig]

So.. that's another narrow defeat. At least we're not bottom.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Gary Neville doesn't plan to be a coach/manager http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/10117969/neville-rules-out-managerial-future

He's not being very successful in said plans.

[Reg]

Yeah he's not got the hang of it yet.

[Yevrah]

Gary Neville doesn't plan to be a coach/manager http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/10117969/neville-rules-out-managerial-future

What a bizarre interview.

Why is he being so cagey?
Why won't he say what his goal is?
If his future's not in management, what the fuck is he doing at Valencia?

Very little of that stacks up. Valencia fans must be ecstatic to have him.

[Shindig]

He's been asking David Moyes for advice.

[Reg]

Took it as a one off challenge / doing a favour for his mate, maybe. I don't know, it is a bit weird.

He's gone down well with the fans so far apparently. Or did when he brought out some oranges...

[Yevrah]

He's not being very successful in said plans.

I really quite dislike him (in case that wasn't clear). 650 odd games for a club that 'don't do things like that' and a few years phoning it in on Sky's sofa (where he was admittedly quite good) and he's coming across as if he thinks he's the Godfather of English football.

[Giggles]

I'm not sure if you're all being sarcastic or not. Has he done well or flopped? I haven't heard a thing since they did shit in his first Champions League game.

[Jeet]

We really need Sanchez back as Ox has once again been piss poor.

Been saying it for a while, he won't make it at the Arsenal. Needs to leave.

[Davgooner]

He's spent more time on Sky since he left than when he was the main man there.

Neville, not Ox.

[Reg]

He won a cup second leg game against a lower league side, but yet to win in the league.


I really quite dislike him (in case that wasn't clear). 650 odd games for a club that 'don't do things like that' and a few years phoning it in on Sky's sofa (where he was admittedly quite good) and he's coming across as if he thinks he's the Godfather of English football.
Where have you got that impression from? He's not been boasting has he?

[Yevrah]

Took it as a one off challenge / doing a favour for his mate, maybe. I don't know, it is a bit weird.


Surely no-one, let alone a proper football man like Gary Neville would take a job for either of those reasons. A bit weird (coupled with that interview) is an understatement. The whole thing stinks.

[Jimmy Floyd]

- High profile pundit / newspaper columnist
- England assistant coach
- Buys non league club, changes its colours and professes to want to take it to the professional ranks
- Takes Valencia manager's job

I reckon his endgame is world domination, or perhaps simply to win the football.

[Samadini]

http://s10.postimg.org/5fbvheszt/nev.png

That's his lot so far.

[Yevrah]

Where have you got that impression from? He's not been boasting has he?

I should hope not, he's done the square root of fuck all in management so far.

[Giggles]

Not good then.

[Yevrah]

http://s10.postimg.org/5fbvheszt/nev.png

That's his lot so far.

Were I a Valencia fan I'd be more concerned (at this stage) with his efforts to date to learn the language.

Well, at least until I saw that interview, at which point I'd want him out immediately.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We should really be cutting to the chase and asking who the fuck is Peter Lim, and why are the Nevilles so wrapped up with him.

[Manc]

The depth and dead centredness of that wrinkle sent me into fucking overdrive.

[Yevrah]

We should really be cutting to the chase and asking who the fuck is Peter Lim, and why are the Nevilles so wrapped up with him.

Whatever the reasons, I'm sure their associated business dealings are all legally and ethically beyond reproach.

[Kikó]

The game is owning united I reckon.

[CJay]

Is Jonathan Pearce the worst commentator in football at the minute? Why does he shout so much?

[Davgooner]

Because Robot Wars.

[Giggles]

Is Jonathan Pearce the worst commentator in football at the minute? Why does he shout so much?

I was actually debating whether to watch tonight or not and he's just forced my decision. He's terrible.

[Shindig]

Everyone has a 'commentator' voice, right?

[CJay]

It's just whenever anything remotely exciting happens he starts yelling. Like for that Toure goal just now. :sick:

[John]

Is Jonathan Pearce the worst commentator in football at the minute? Why does he shout so much?

Nope. Niall Quinn.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Lim unsuccessfully bid to take ownership of Liverpool in 2010, to expand the brand in Asia. He has also been associated with bids to take over Rangers in Scotland, Middlesbrough in England, Valencia in Spain, and Milan in Italy. In May 2014, Lim took over ownership of Valencia after buying 70.4% of the shares owned by the club's foundation.


On 22 September 2014, Lim agreed to buy a 50% stake in Salford City from former Manchester United players Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.

From this we can infer that Mr Lim does not see any particular single football club as a particularly attractive investment above others, but rather wants to have his money in European football generally. Perhaps Mr Lim sees some value in having his money in high profile European football, and not elsewhere.

However we can also see that Mr Lim didn't find it easy to acquire shares in the top clubs that he wanted to, being as he is only Singapore's 8th richest man and a smidgen inside the world's top 1,000.

Which brings us to when Gary Neville, Paul Scholes et al - henceforth the 'Class of '92' - bought Salford City:


In March 2014, news broke of the proposed takeover of the club by former Manchester United players Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, subject to Football Association and Northern Premier League approval, with the deal expected to be completed by the summer.

So between summer 2014 and 22 September 2014, the Class of '92 managed to buy 100% of a football club and then sell 50% of it to Mr Lim. This preceded by about a year the appointment of Gary Neville as Valencia coach, despite Gary Neville stating that he does not want to be a coach. Gary Neville also remains England assistant coach, despite Gary Neville stating that he does not want to be a coach, and despite having given up his lucrative Telegraph and Sky jobs in order to take a job as a coach.

So why would Gary Neville take the Valencia job? I'm going to assume that Mr Lim is not stupid, so he must know that Gary Neville is not, nor close to, the most qualified person to appoint to the job of Valencia coach. So there must be some other reason why both Peter Lim and Gary Neville consider that Gary Neville should be Valencia manager, one that does not involve either:

1. Gary Neville's competence and experience.
2. Gary Neville's need for employment.

This other reason must also supersede Gary Neville's unwillingness to be a coach - unless he is lying about not wanting to be a coach.

I wonder what that reason could be?

[Lewis]

You've still got it, gaydar.

[Lee]

I didn't read that as him not wanting to coach at all, more that not being his major aspiration. Which wouldn't fill me with confidence if I were a Valencia fan. If he just wants to have a go then fuck off amd do it at the club he has bought and whose identity and history he and his mates have trampled over.

I quite like the bloke but that interview makes him look a right div. I like how at the start he's slagging other managers of for being cagey in interviews. Erm.....

I think Kiko has it right, by the way. The lot of them would love to own United.

[Bam]

Yeah, bet they're seriously dwelling on a nothing transfer from four years ago. Mugs.

Yeah, cos I was being serious. :wanker:

[John]

From this we can infer that Mr Lim does not see any particular single football club as a particularly attractive investment above others, but rather wants to have his money in European football generally. Perhaps Mr Lim sees some value in having his money in high profile European football, and not elsewhere.

However we can also see that Mr Lim didn't find it easy to acquire shares in the top clubs that he wanted to, being as he is only Singapore's 8th richest man and a smidgen inside the world's top 1,000.

Which brings us to when Gary Neville, Paul Scholes et al - henceforth the 'Class of '92' - bought Salford City:



So between summer 2014 and 22 September 2014, the Class of '92 managed to buy 100% of a football club and then sell 50% of it to Mr Lim. This preceded by about a year the appointment of Gary Neville as Valencia coach, despite Gary Neville stating that he does not want to be a coach. Gary Neville also remains England assistant coach, despite Gary Neville stating that he does not want to be a coach, and despite having given up his lucrative Telegraph and Sky jobs in order to take a job as a coach.

So why would Gary Neville take the Valencia job? I'm going to assume that Mr Lim is not stupid, so he must know that Gary Neville is not, nor close to, the most qualified person to appoint to the job of Valencia coach. So there must be some other reason why both Peter Lim and Gary Neville consider that Gary Neville should be Valencia manager, one that does not involve either:

1. Gary Neville's competence and experience.
2. Gary Neville's need for employment.

This other reason must also supersede Gary Neville's unwillingness to be a coach - unless he is lying about not wanting to be a coach.

I wonder what that reason could be?

Lim is involved in a hotel with Neville aswell, that one they've given to tramps for the winter, along with a load of themed restaurants in Singapore. They're all over eachother's business.

[Manc]

I think we need to get Ashley Young on the plane.

[Yevrah]

I remember laughing at Kiko before when he (IIRC) seriously suggested that the 92 wankers could buy Man Utd.

For that to be Neville's aim makes perfect sense, but I don't think Lim has the money or the clout to lead any deal so they're barking up the wrong tree with that horse.

The idiots.

[Reg]

Owning United is a good guess. Other than that, maybe politics? Mayor or something?

The way he talks in the interview suggests it's something much more ambitious than being a manager.

[Raoul Duke]

Lim's a billionaire, no?

I've never heard of half these West Ham players.

[Dark Soldier]

Gary Neville is a Bury legend, along with his brother, dad and sister, and probably his mam for slipping them out. Less of this disrespect thank you.

[Giggles]

So nice to see Klopp without that shit eating grin. He already looks 5 years older :drool:

[Yevrah]

Lim's a billionaire, no?

$1.9bn, which isn't enough and he failed to get a stake in Liverpool. A proper businessman with a genuine chance of buying Utd wouldn't need to slum it with some two bit footballers to do so.

Not going to happen, even with the influence that Red Nev thinks he has, the delusional 'tard.

[Jimmy Floyd]

My guess is they want to run United as a permanent old boys' network, like Bayern Munich, backed by Lim's cash. This phase of the operation is the learning phase so they don't make tits of themselves. Maybe this is actually Gary Neville literally just going around every conceivable job in football seeing what it's all about so that when he runs United he is informed about everything.

[Yevrah]

My guess is they want to run United as a permanent old boys' network, like Bayern Munich, backed by Lim's cash. This phase of the operation is the learning phase so they don't make tits of themselves. Maybe this is actually Gary Neville literally just going around every conceivable job in football seeing what it's all about so that when he runs United he is informed about everything.

If so, they no doubt think they're going about it in the right way, but they're just going to get fucked by a Arab or Russian money when the inevitable day when the Glazers say 'thanks and goodbye' comes.

[Raoul Duke]

$1.9bn, which isn't enough and he failed to get a stake in Liverpool. A proper businessman with a genuine chance of buying Utd wouldn't need to slum it with some two bit footballers to do so.

Not going to happen, even with the influence that Red Nev thinks he has, the delusional 'tard.

They'll probably just do some kind of leveraged buyout thing, like the Glazers did.

It's about building the brand now. See: https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/1/UK00003019411

[Jimmy Floyd]

If so, they no doubt think they're going about it in the right way, but they're just going to get fucked by a Arab or Russian money when the inevitable day when the Glazers say 'thanks and goodbye' comes.

In that case perhaps Lim won't be the actual investor come the time and Gaz Nev will find his own sheikh, but it suits both of them to marry the hell up at the moment. Lim gets access to the football expertise, contacts and profile that he lacks, and needs to make moving his money into football stick, whilst Neville gains access to this array of positions around Lim's football empire.

[Samadini]

Feel a bit of a retard for not working out what has been going on, but I'm loving this, seeing it unravel post by post has me on the edge of my bed. I'm not even joking, keep going lads.

[Yevrah]

In that case perhaps Lim won't be the actual investor come the time and Gaz Nev will find his own sheikh, but it suits both of them to marry the hell up at the moment. Lim gets access to the football expertise, contacts and profile that he lacks, and needs to make moving his money into football stick, whilst Neville gains access to this array of positions around Lim's football empire.

Is any of that really going to make the blindest bit of difference though? Unless there's a multi-billionaire Man Utd fan who's moved to back Neville, I can't see any of the other types who'd be capable of buying Man Utd being interested in doing so.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is any of that really going to make the blindest bit of difference though? Unless there's a multi-billionaire Man Utd fan who's moved to back Neville, I can't see any of the other types who'd be capable of buying Man Utd being interested in doing so.

Seriously? I bet if the Glazers sell up there will be a queue of sheikhs going round the corner, and what better PR coup for the lucky new owner than to install Neville, Scholes, Giggs and co in charge of the day to day running of the club.

They can even plough their money into the (already gentrified/gentrifying) surrounding area like the City sheikhs have and then guess what, Gareh and Scholseh are well known hoteliers so they could build one of those too!

[Weaver]

They'll probably just do some kind of leveraged buyout thing, like the Glazers did.

It's about building the brand now. See: https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/1/UK00003019411

Haven't you always wanted a Turtleneck with Nicky Butt's face on it? There's a market for it, for sure.

[Giggles]

How have Leicester not scored in this?

[Yevrah]

Seriously? I bet if the Glazers sell up there will be a queue of sheikhs going round the corner, and what better PR coup for the lucky new owner than to install Neville, Scholes, Giggs and co in charge of the day to day running of the club.

They can even plough their money into the (already gentrified/gentrifying) surrounding area like the City sheikhs have and then guess what, Gareh and Scholseh are well known hoteliers so they could build one of those too!

If they had Beckham in any sort of capacity I'd agree with you, but this is Gary Neville? I can't see it. As you said above businessmen aren't generally that stupid, so why would they invest billions and hand the reigns over to the Nevilles and someone who didn't speak until 2012? I guess there's Giggs, but he'll have clearly burnt all bridges with Man Utd by then by being a genuinely terrible manager.

By all means get these guys on board in ambassadorial roles, but letting them run it? Not a chance.

[Yevrah]

How have Leicester not scored in this?

Jamie Vardy diving probably hasn't helped.

[Raoul Duke]

I wouldn't be surprised if Beckham's MLS thing ended up somehow wound up in all these shenanigans :sherlock:

[Samadini]

:drool:

[Shindig]

I'd only enjoy it if it somehow meant we were awarded the 1996/7 title somehow.

[ScousePig]

Nope. Niall Quinn.

:D

You're wrong though. There's at least one commentator (Alan Parry) and one co-commentator (Garry Birtles) that are worse even than the magnificent(ly shit) Quinny.

Birtles sounds like he's shouty moaning evening when he's describing something brilliant (and he's generally clueless), and Parry can't even speak.

[Kikó]

The Glazers have no great desire to sell at the moment and a sheikh taking over is probably more difficult than you'd imagine with the other Arabs in charge at city. The politics in the area probably has killed that.

I get the feeling the 92 mob are investing in Manchester for two reasons 1) there's money to be made 2) they want to develop the area because they care about it.

The Lim thing is odd. Not sure his angle other than gaining exposure to European football. I'm sure Mendes has told him how he can make money. Who's propping up Beckham's Miami stuff?

[Shindig]

Main commentators don't grind me gears much. Stan Collymore does. Its like somebody's affraid to sack him in case he chucks himself off a roof.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Whenever anyone from foreign climes wants to invest large amounts in European football for the sake of it, I pretty much assume money laundering.

[ScousePig]

Main commentators don't grind me gears much. Stan Collymore does. Its like somebody's affraid to sack him in case he chucks himself off a roof.

Does he still call Willian 'Will I An'? I'm assuming it's not in jest and he genuinely believe that's correct.

Apologies for disrupting the actual interesting debate.

[Bam]

Main commentators don't grind me gears much. Stan Collymore does. Its like somebody's affraid to sack him in case he chucks himself off a roof.

Stan when on Talksport is pretty decent, talks from a fans perspective and knows what he's talking about. I can't see a problem with him.

[Bam]

Does he still call Willian 'Will I An'? I'm assuming it's not in jest and he genuinely believe that's correct.

I'm assuming this is in jest and not what you genuinely believe correct.

[Shindig]

That's the problem. He talks like a bloke from the pub. The kind of person that's been in that pub too long. His main debates seem to be centered around "Why aren't we playing young English players!?" and "Why are Villa shit!?"

Plus, as a co-commentator, any goal remotely interesting results in an "AWWWMYYGODDDAERGHHH!" response. Undermining Sam Matterface and killing most of the listenership.

[John]

Stan when on Talksport is pretty decent, talks from a fans perspective and knows what he's talking about. I can't see a problem with him.

:D

He's a wifebeating shitbag, which is enough of a 'problem with him' to be going on with, but he's also an absolutely appalling broadcaster. Not only does he not know what he's talking about, he's also determined to play the role of windup merchant then cries like a child, usually with some allusion to racism, whenever he gets it back.

[Ian]

Niall Quinn has twice in the last 18 months or so confused a team on the pitch with one who aren't even involved in the match.

Unless Birtles has done that I'm still having Quinn as the worst.

Though there was that clip of Owen saying the team rarely win when they don't score.

[ScousePig]

Stan when on Talksport is pretty decent, talks from a fans perspective and knows what he's talking about. I can't see a problem with him.

He might appeal to the lowest common denominator, which would explain your comments.

[John Arne]

Chelsea should be wearing their white shirt here.

[mugbull]

Chelsea should be wearing their white shirt here.

Yee this is unwatchable

[Reg]

They have annoying contracts to wear each shirt so many times a season nowadays.

[John Arne]

I found a online stream :) it's not so bad now.
Fucking shitty analog TV channels.

[Lee]

The black kit is ugly. Most clubs only need three kits so they can rip off the fans. Although they don't have to be stupid enough to buy the shit, in fairness.

[John Arne]

Man of Steel injured again :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'm not even watching the game, I'm just watching Mikel. It's fascinating.

[Waffdon]

Zouma and Terry (from a few year ago) would be a fantastic partnership.

[Reg]

What a tackle from Zouma.

Chelsea don't look like they know how to get up the pitch. Costa's coming too deep.

[Ian]

The black kit is ugly. Most clubs only need three kits so they can rip off the fans. Although they don't have to be stupid enough to buy the shot, in fairness.

I remember an irate Glaswegian complaining on radio a few years ago that hard working people like him were being FORCED to buy every available shirt every year for himself and his three kids.

When the host pointed out he could just not buy every shirt every year the guy started speaking as though he was having to explain something to a simpleton.

[mugbull]

That's all that Zaha does. What a fucker.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Mikel is single handedly rescuing our season in this game.

JOHN OBI MIKE-EL

[Giggles]

Mikel is single handedly rescuing our season in this game.

JOHN OBI MIKE-EL

Had he been left out by Mourinho much?

[Jimmy Floyd]

For the whole season, yeah.

[Waffdon]

Beautiful. Fabregas/Mikel look good.

[Jimmy Floyd]

We've absolutely fucking donned this.

JOHN OBI MIKE-EL

:rave:

[Jimmy Floyd]

Beautiful. Fabregas/Matic look good.

Matic isn't on the pitch. You know who is instead.

[Giggles]

Chelsea for top 4 :drool:

[Waffdon]

Lol. Mikel of course, sir

[Magic]

What are the odds of Chelsea finishing above Leicester?

[mugbull]

What are the odds of Chelsea finishing above Leicester?

Calm your beautiful tits. Won't happen.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is so much better than winning a game in a title winning season, by the way. What have I been missing all these years?

[Reg]

That one's crap from the keeper but the first two goals were lovely.

Players completely stopping and flailing their arms about in the hope of a free kick (as Costa did in his own half about ten minutes ago) is turning into a dangerous habit I reckon. As far as modern habits go though it's not as bad as defenders hiding their arms.

[Magic]

Calm your beautiful tits. Won't happen.

Why not? I'd be amazed if Leicester got more than 10 points between now and the end of the season. Its not beyond the realms of possibility for Chelsea to get 27 points if they start playing to the best of their ability.

[Waffdon]

Another boggling selection from roberto Martinez.

[Waffdon]

Why on earth would you bring on Matic over Loftus-Cheek? awful

[mugbull]

Why not? I'd be amazed if Leicester got more than 10 points between now and the end of the season. Its not beyond the realms of possibility for Chelsea to get 27 points if they start playing to the best of their ability.

They'll get 20 points at least, chill out.

[Lee]

Why not? I'd be amazed if Leicester got more than 10 points between now and the end of the season. Its not beyond the realms of possibility for Chelsea to get 27 points if they start playing to the best of their ability.

What? :D

We're a bit knackered but it's not like we are on a shit run; we lost one game over Christmas. Even if we hit relegation form of a point a game we'd not be far off the top six or seven.

[Magic]

Calling it now. The resurgence of the scummers and Chelsea scum and the subsequent collapse of the BEST SEASON EVER will culminate in the predictable, boring top 4 we've become so used to.

Manchester City
Arsenal
Manchester United
Chelsea.

Only difference might be the Yids snatching 4th place.

[ScousePig]

Why not? I'd be amazed if Leicester got more than 10 points between now and the end of the season. Its not beyond the realms of possibility for Chelsea to get 27 points if they start playing to the best of their ability.

http://i.imgur.com/uYjUuC9.gif

[Giggles]

I'm with Magic.

[Reg]

10 points between now and the end of the season would be roughly Aston Villa form. They're not going to go from title-chasing form to relegation form.

Chelsea look like they actually want to play now. I think they were probably just fed up under Mourinho.

[Magic]

Quote me if you want. :)

This may or may not be related to my FF seethe but the best and most insightful posts often occur from rage.

[ScousePig]

10 points between now and the end of the season would be roughly Aston Villa form. They're not going to go from title-chasing form to relegation form.

Chelsea look like they actually want to play now. I think they were probably just fed up under Mourinho.

It's worse than relegation form. It's not far off record breaking low points tally form.

[Reg]

It's a little better than Villa's first half to the season - if they carried on this way they'd have less than 16 points at the end... bloody hell.

Leicester doing something like winning 3, drawing 1, and losing 14 is a bold, bold statement.

[Lee]

We'll definitely drop off and we won't make the top four (I've never thought we would) but we won't collapse to that extent.

[ScousePig]

It's a little better than Villa's first half to the season - if they carried on this way they'd have less than 16 points at the end... bloody hell.

Leicester doing something like winning 3, drawing 1, and losing 14 is a bold, bold statement.

If a team were to get a maximum of ten points in half a season it's more likely they'll get a few draws, so I'd say win 1, draw 7 and lose 10.

Just a silly statement.

[ScousePig]

Well definitely drop off and we won't make the top four (I've never thought we would) but we won't collapse to that extent.

I can see your form turning average and ending up in a Europa spot, but I'd love to be wrong.

[Lee]

I can see your form turning average and ending up in a Europa spot, but I'd love to be wrong.

I think that's pretty much what will happen. I'd be delighted with that to be honest.

[Dquincy]

This is so much better than winning a game in a title winning season, by the way. What have I been missing all these years?

Have a word with yourself.

[John Arne]

Hasn't it been proven that the tape footballers and athletes wear is completely useless...?

[Davgooner]

They literally hadn't had a kick until then.

[Danny]

Lovely forward play from Lukaku and finish from Lennon

[Danny]

683634398034587649

:d

[mugbull]

Lol. Aaron Lennon.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Spurs are comfortably the league's best side. It's just the fact that they're Spurs which is holding them back.

[mugbull]

This is going to be like one of those FM games where you have 29 shots, hit the woodwork 7 times, and still manage to lose 1-0

[Waffdon]

Jesus, that was good.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Everton 1-1 Tottenham 1-1 Everton 1-1 Tottenham 1-1 Everton 1-1 Tottenham 1-1 Everton.

In fact they have only drawn 1-1 on 21 occasions in the past.

[Toby]

I totally accepted the idea that they always draw 1-1 - it feels entirely plausible - but it's only happened once since 2002.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They draw 1-1 in spirit, even when the scoreline is something else.

[Toby]

It's probably pretty close to the mean. There's very rarely more than a goal in it.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The mean is 1-1 for every fixture in reality, or 2-1 if any one side has the edge.

Anyway, just off for a quick wank.

http://www.football365.com/news/john-obi-mikel-starter-role-model-leader