[FOOTBALL] FA Cup Third Round Weekend - 8th/11th January

[Weaver]

Friday
Exeter City vs Liverpool - BBC One, 19:55

PSG vs Bastia - BT Sport 2, 19:30

Saturday
Wycombe Wanderers vs Aston Villa - BT Sport 2, 12:45
Arsenal vs Sunderland
Birmingham City vs AFC Bournemouth
Brentford vs Walsall
Bury vs Bradford City
Colchester vs Charlton Athletic
Doncaster Rovers vs Stoke City
Eastleigh vs Bolton Wanderers
Everton vs Dagenham & Redbridge
Hartlepool vs Derby County
Huddersfield Town vs Reading
Hull City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Ipswich Town vs Portsmouth
Leeds vs Rotherham
Middlesbrough vs Burnley
Newport County vs Blackburn
Northampton vs MK Dons
Norwich City vs Manchester City
Nottingham Forest vs QPR
Peterborough vs Preston North End
Sheffield Wednesday vs Fulham
Southampton vs Crystal Palace
Watford vs Newcastle
West Bromwich Albion vs Bristol City
West Ham vs Wolves
Manchester United vs Sheffield United - BT Sport 2, 17:30

Fiorentina vs Lazio - BT Sport Europe, 17:00
Sevilla vs Athletic Bilbao - Sky Sports, 17:15
Getafe vs Real Betis - Sky Sports, 17:15
Hearts vs Aberdeen - BBC One Scotland, 17:30
Angers vs Caen - BT Sport Extra 2, 19:00
Real Madrid vs Deportivo - Sky Sports 1, 19:30
Roma vs AC Milan - BT Sport Europe, 19:45
Levante vs Real Vallecano - Sky Sports, 21:05

Sunday
Oxford United vs Swansea City - BBC Two Wales, 12:00
Chelsea vs Scunthorpe - BT Sport 2, 14:00
Carlisle United vs Yeovil Town- 14:00
Tottenham Hotspur vs Leicester City - BBC One, 16:00
Cardiff City vs Shrewsbury Town - S4C, 18:00

Villarreal vs Sporting Gijon - Sky Sports, 11:00
Inter Milan vs Sassuolo - BT Sport 2, 11:30
Rangers vs Cowdenbeath - Sky Sports, 13:00
Nantes vs St. Etienne - BT Sport Europe, 13:00
Frosinone vs Napoli - BT Sport ESPN, 14:00
Real Sociedad vs Valencia - Sky Sports 2, 15:00
Stranraer vs Celtic - Sky Sports, 15:15
Lille vs Nice - BT Sport Extra 2, 16:00
Sporting CP vs Braga - BT Sport ESPN, 16:00
Las Palmas vs Malaga - Sky Sports, 17:15
Eibar vs Espanyol - Sky Sports, 17:15
Celta Vigo vs Atletico Madrid - Sky Sports, 19:30
Sampdoria vs Juventus - BT Sport Europe, 19:45
Marseille vs Guingamp - BT Sport 2, 20:00
Nacional vs Benfica - BT Sport ESPN, 20:30

Monday
The Fourth Round Draw (during the One Show) - 7pm-ish on BBC One.

[Mazuuurk]

Ugh, fucking hate it when the PL is on break.

[Disco]

Hey Liverpool fans, welcome to one of the shittiest away sections you're ever likely to visit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I love third round weekend. Not sure why the fuck our game is on telly though.

[Samadini]

:nodd:

One of the highlights of the season for me. Roll on the accys.

[Max Power]

Bogdan
Randall
Illori
Enrique
Smith
Stewart
Brannagan
Kent
Teixeira
Ojo
Sinclair

Is supposedly Liverpool's side tonight. Got to fancy an upset.

[Giggles]

Now I don't care who is resting who, I might try enjoy some of this. Though on the 5th mention of the word 'magic' on the BBC it's getting switched off.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Who exactly does Jurgen Klopp think he is?

[Reg]

They're fully embracing the clichés this year - there was a minute long ad repeating "Anything can happen".

I love the cup while we're still in it, then the fun tends to fade a little bit, but it's enjoyable.

Someone on Football Weekly made the point that if a team goes out this weekend, then they'll have three weekends of rest toward the end of the season. Could be important to those with smaller squads - Leicester?

[Max Power]

We're going for the double this year.

[phonics]

They're fully embracing the clichés this year - there was a minute long ad repeating "Anything can happen".

I love the cup while we're still in it, then the fun tends to fade a little bit, but it's enjoyable.

Someone on Football Weekly made the point that if a team goes out this weekend, then they'll have three weekends of rest toward the end of the season. Could be important to those with smaller squads - Leicester?

Would love for Big Sam to do us a favour and knock us out (while THE JEFF scores a hat trick) there's nowt to winning it 3 times in a row.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Apparently Diego Costa and Oscar had a training altercation. Whose idea is that of a fight? Like setting a pitbull on a frightened child.

[Sam]

West Ham away only 3,000 because our great CEO thought we wouldn't sell out and decided to not take the allocation West Ham offered.

They didn't make it past the season ticket holders. I hate this club.

[Mazuuurk]

Apparently Diego Costa and Oscar had a training altercation. Whose idea is that of a fight? Like setting a pitbull on a frightened child.

Diego probably said something about Oscars sister. Like how they are fuckbuddies now, maybe.

[phonics]

Diego probably said something about Oscars sister. Like how they are fuckbuddies now, maybe.

Apparently Oscar put a tackle in on Costa that he didn't like so Diego went out of his way to do him next time out.

[Mazuuurk]

Ah, so now he's fuckbuddies with the sister.

[Charlie]

I hate it when the FA Cup gets in the way of things. It's fine when you are in mid table and your season is boring, but when you are focussed on trying not to get relegated, it needs to fuck off.

[Davgooner]

Genuinely hope AW gives a couple of the young lads a run out; it's pretty much the only way to make this sort of tie interesting.

[Davgooner]

Apparently Diego Costa and Oscar had a training altercation. Whose idea is that of a fight? Like setting a pitbull on a frightened child.

Oscar's always bowled about as if he doesn't realise a frail little shit he is. Hopefully Costa laid him out.

[Jimmy Floyd]

'Hey, Oscar?'
'Yeah?'
'You know your sister?'
'Yeah?'
'We're fuckbuddies now.'
'And what of it?'

[Josh]

Bogdan
Randall
Illori
Enrique
Smith
Stewart
Brannagan
Kent
Teixeira
Ojo
Sinclair

Is supposedly Liverpool's side tonight. Got to fancy an upset.

Fuck I hope they get turned over. A few changes are expected but come on.

[SvN]

I wonder what Enrique thinks about it.

[Mazuuurk]

'Hey, Oscar?'
'Yeah?'
'You know your sister?'
'Yeah?'
'We're fuckbuddies now.'
'And what of it?'

Right, I fucked up that joke I think.

Fuckbuddies - is that when two dudes have shagged the same lass? Cause that's what I meant.

[Samadini]

Costa is having some sloppy seconds.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Right, I fucked up that joke I think.

Fuckbuddies - is that when two dudes have shagged the same lass? Cause that's what I meant.

Eskimo brothers.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m8V1BHHEFI

[Jimmy Floyd]

Right, I fucked up that joke I think.

Fuckbuddies - is that when two dudes have shagged the same lass? Cause that's what I meant.

I thought it described a no-strings-attached sex-only relationship between the buddies in question, but I'm by no means a world authority on the subject.

[Mazuuurk]

No yeah you're right. It's even the same in Swedish so not sure why I thought that.

[Manc]

Jurgen knows where his priorities lie. Thursday nights. :cool:

[Weaver]

Bogdan; Randall, Ilori, Smith, Enrique; Brannigan, Stewart; Teixeira, Kent, Sinclair; Benteke.

Lallana, Lucas and Ojo on the bench with more randomers.

[Shindig]

If Watford pull anything other than a convincing win, I'm calling them out as a bunch of chancers.

[Spammer]

the MIGHTY FUCKING BLADES are going to smash the shit out of the glory hunting cunts right in their own back garden :drool:.

Wembley :drool:

[Magic]

Anyone even bothering with the inevitable shit fest tonight?

[phonics]

685545896881336320

Britain :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Liverpool are shit.

[Disco]

Have that shitlords!

[Magic]

:harold:

[John Arne]

The commentator completely missed that. Talking shit about Sinclair... Then suddenly causally mentions that Exeter have scored.

[Magic]

Dece game this.

[John Arne]

Goal time!!

[Disco]

Well it was nice while it lasted.

[Jimmy Floyd]

'Jerome Sinclair' is just a compendium of various other ultimately disappointing English players.

[Byron]

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football/yaya-toure-manchester-city-midfielder-reacts-angrily-to-not-winning-african-footballer-of-the-year-award/ar-CCi23w?ocid=spartanntp

Alright mate.

[Jimmy Floyd]

First the birthday cake, now that. How fucking weird is he?

Dede Ayew's suit definitely does bring shame on Africa, mind.

[Byron]

He must be the most precious footballer alive. I genuinely can't think of someone more prone to tantrums than him.

[Ian]

What an enormous bell-end he is.

[Reg]

Silly how someone can be so ungrateful for getting paid 300k a week for kicking a ball and sometimes running a bit.

[Pleb]

Just realised Beneteke is playing :baz:

[Yevrah]

He seems to have a chip on his shoulder of previously unseen proportions.

[Offshore Toon]

He's got a point, though.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bogdan is seriously shit.

[Max Power]

More goals in this for Exeter.

[Disco]

I would like to officially apologise for our managers hat, I'm not sure what's going on there.

[John Arne]

Oh my.

[Pleb]

Westcountry football :cool:

[Smiffy]

As soon as I read he'd be starting the youngsters I knew we'd be losing this.

Yay.

[Browning]

"If they can get to the last couple of minutes and it's still 2-1 then they can't lose."

Ian Wright really is a shambles.

[Reg]

I like Ian Wright because he cares. He never says anything amazing, but he's one of the best on England games.

[Dquincy]

Why do goalkeepers hold their arms up before the opposing team takes a corner? Bogdan just did it.

[Ian]

Ian Wright's best punditry moment was when Teddy Sheringham hit a stonking volley against the crossbar in the '02 World Cup (against Argentina, maybe?) and Wright said people at home would've been "creaming themselves." Then Lineker puffing his cheeks out and giving it "Ian, please, people at home will be having their breakfast."

[Yevrah]

That was a lovely move. I'd have creamed myself.

Would have sealed the game at 2-0 IIRC.

[John Arne]

Fair play to Benteke. He is making our youngsters look good.

[John Arne]

Ian Wright's best punditry moment was when Teddy Sheringham hit a stonking volley against the crossbar in the '02 World Cup (against Argentina, maybe?) and Wright said people at home would've been "creaming themselves." Then Lineker puffing his cheeks out and giving it "Ian, please, people at home will be having their breakfast."

I remember that. What a goal that would have been. It was a great passing build up, too. Very un-England like.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Benteke stopping to appeal for a penalty when he could have gotten to the rebound sums him up.

[Dquincy]

Did not appreciate the gap in quality with the U21's. They're probably non-league level.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Did not appreciate the gap in quality with the U21's. They're probably non-league level.

Yet Benteke was probably the worst player on the pitch.

[SincereTheRebel]

Is this midget the lee holmes, the championship manager wonderkid from like 2004

[Chrissy]

I would like to officially apologise for our managers hat, I'm not sure what's going on there.

I was rooting for them until I saw that. Fucking looks a right wanker with that get up. Well played though.

[Dquincy]

Yet Benteke was probably the worst player on the pitch.

True. I know some people will say he lacked service. But you'd expect better than that. £32 million? yikes.

[Chrissy]

£32 million player is is but fucking hell he doesn't look it at all.

[Danny]

Is this midget the lee holmes, the championship manager wonderkid from like 2004

Yeah

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Holmes

[Offshore Toon]

This game was an awful, awful choice for TV.

[Yevrah]

Wycombe vs. Villa?

It's a lot better than when the Beeb used to choose Man Utd vs. Villa every year, even allowing for that good game they once had.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Wycombe have started the second half really well.

[Weaver]

We're rolling out a 3-5-2 against Watford this afternoon - Elliot; Coloccini, Mbemba, Dummett; Janmaat, Sissoko, Tioté, Wijnaldum, Mbabu; Perez, Mitrovic.

Gomes; Nyom, Prodl, Cathcart, Holebas; Watson, Guedioura; Berguis, Deeney, Jurado; Oulare.

[simon]

Steve McClaren and 3-5-2, eh. What could go wrong?

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/11/11/article-0-02A97D8B000004B0-206_468x406.jpg

[Samadini]

Dummett is so bad with the ball at his feet it probably does make him a better centre back than full back overall.

[Lewis]

Wycombe vs. Villa?

It's a lot better than when the Beeb used to choose Man Utd vs. Villa every year, even allowing for that good game they once had.

I was livid when I saw they were on BT. What is terrestrial sport good for if not choosing even the most mundane United ties?

[Lee]

This is exactly the sort of FA Cup game you want on the telly. You can watch Premier League games every week. Be a shame if Villa manage to win this. They're such a bad team.

[CJay]

Gestede is an awful striker. He doesn't even put himself about.

[Mellberg]

Gestede is our worst player by a distance. I can understand being lazy if you're some mecurial genius, but if you're a wanker with a shit barnett you need to get a jog on.

[Offshore Toon]

I don't want an all Premier League tie at all, but there will be much better games on this weekend in the FA Cup. That was a boring game that was aired on the off chance Villa would get beat.

[Davgooner]

Got an overs bet on the 13 of the 3pm ties. £1 returns just over £17k.

[CJay]

I agree with Offy. And if Villa did get beat it would barely even be considered a shock.

[Boydy]

Arsenal. :harold:

[Samadini]

Got an overs bet on the 13 of the 3pm ties. £1 returns just over £17k.

Think you're going to regret not putting another 50p on that, think it's coming in.

I was in mother fucking Argos, so wasn't able to get anything on at all. Going to have to wait another year to get rich.

[Dquincy]

Arsenal. :harold:

1-1.

[Boydy]

Oh. :(

[Giggles]

Just copped that it's on Setanta, I'll watch a bit. Arsenal seem to have a first team out.

[Reg]

Not surprised we're losing but surprised we haven't had a shot. It's worse than a second string because some of the would-be subs have been playing due to injuries and they're rested today. Towell has started, Giggles.

[Giggles]

Not surprised we're losing but surprised we haven't had a shot. It's worse than a second string because some of the would-be subs have been playing due to injuries and they're rested today. Towell has started, Giggles.

I'd heard Hughton was thinking of starting him, though I don't think he's been too impressed by him at the club so far. I'd imagine he won't be up to much yet anyway.

[Offshore Toon]

"For the first 40 minutes Newcastle kept knocking at the door, but Heurelho Gomes closed it."

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

01 de Gea
36 Darmian
12 Smalling
17 Blind
43 Borthwick-Jackson
27 Fellaini
31 Schweinsteiger
08 Mata
21 Herrera
09 Martial
10 Rooney

Substitutes

07 Depay
20 Romero
30 Varela
33 McNair
35 Lingard
44 Pereira
48 Keane

Hmmm, surprised it's that strong.

[Samadini]

Next year is our year.

[Reg]

1-0. We did well to limit it to that really. Away from home, worse than second XI including keeper, a system that we haven't played before, a bloke making his debut after a pre-season/rest.

If it's the difference between us finishing top six and not then obviously we'll take it (unlikely - it's just extending a bad run), but bit of a crap way to go out.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Cockblock set of results really, all the shocks were bottled in the last five minutes.

[Reg]

Someone put up a video of some paint drying.

Did Kiko say he was going to this game? Poor man.

[Max Power]

Forgot Dean 'Deano' Hammond was at the mighty Blades. Still crabbing about the midfield and pointing bless him. Bit like Schweinsteiger really

United are fucking awful.

[Spammer]

The mighty fucking BLADES are doing well to contain these cunts so far.

[Lewis]

You can 'contain' United by playing on a full-sized pitch.

[Byron]

https://gyazo.com/05d9e5b808b50ca81c68ccff518cb802.png

That can't be true :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

685892065901850624

685888635061706752

:drool:

[Spammer]

Couts donning Schwiensteiger :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

You'd hope that Lingard and Depay would make things a bit more interesting.

Lingard might make a chance or two and Depay might gift them a goal or two, so hopefully we're in for something.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

68:50, time of our first shot on target :drool:

[Kikó]

Louis van Gaal's red and white army. :rave:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

If Sheffield United weren't playing for the draw here they could take us easily.

[Kikó]

They probably benefit from the replay money wise. Makes sense to hold back.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They probably benefit from the replay money wise. Makes sense to hold back.

Indeed, I'd imagine that's the reason why they aren't pushing harder.

This game could go on for years and we wont get close to scoring.

I am liking all the sarcastic cheering going on today.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is all part of some elaborate ploy by Giggseh to make himself look like a genius when van Gaal is sacked and the players all look liberated under him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was a proper mongo challenge.

[Danny]

Didnt even know Rooney was playing

[Kikó]

What a philosophy. Amazing drama!

[Reg]

They probably benefit from the replay money wise. Makes sense to hold back.
I don't think it was that, I think it was just that they knew United can't score, and so just did what every team does now and rely on United to go nowhere with their passes.

Good penalty, Rooney. Man of the match (...probably is a serious contender.)

edit- serious case of the "United" usage

[Kikó]

I wasn't being serious.

[Waffdon]

We finally won, keeks.

<33333333333333333

[Spammer]

Fucking gutted about that. Shit.

[Dquincy]

Villa fans take it way too seriously...

https://twitter.com/footbalIfights/status/685923774089281539?s=09

[Chrissy]

Villa fans take it way too seriously...

https://twitter.com/footbalIfights/status/685923774089281539?s=09

Oh dear, I also saw Micah Richards trying to chat to fans pitchside as well. The club is fucked. I think they will go down and not come back for quite a while.

[Manc]

It'll be a shame to see such a MASSIVE club go down.

[Jeet]

Thought WBA lost, only just found out they drew watching MOTD.

[Waffdon]

Never thought I'd be on the back of big Guy Demel at the start of the season. What a GUY

[mugbull]

Thought WBA lost, only just found out they drew watching MOTD.

Nice! Did you learn anything else on MOTD?

[Charlie]

Lads, we almost lost to Eastleigh today. Scored an equaliser with 3 minutes left. There is little more I can say.

[Lewis]

The highlights from that game made for a superb package.

[Kikó]

We finally won, keeks.

<33333333333333333

Her paw said he'd forgot what it's like to win. The cup is on.

[Chrissy]

Never thought I'd be on the back of big Guy Demel at the start of the season. What a GUY

As a friend of mine said earlier on twitter, celebrating a goal against Airdrie with a pitch invasion pretty much sums up how fucked you lot are this year.

[Waffdon]

As a friend of mine said earlier on twitter, celebrating a goal against Airdrie with a pitch invasion pretty much sums up how fucked you lot are this year.

Wouldn't really say it was a pitch invasion, just fans slipping onto the pitch when the players came over.

But yes, we are fucked. Winning the cup, though.

[Magic]

Casuals on tour.

[Chrissy]

Wouldn't really say it was a pitch invasion, just fans slipping onto the pitch when the players came over.

But yes, we are fucked. Winning the cup, though.

Wouldn't put a cup win by you lot this year. Guy Demel is brilliant though. I watched the Derby and you just knew he'd never see it out.

[Waffdon]

Casuals on tour.

No, sir.

[Magic]

Wouldn't put a cup win by you lot this year. Guy Demel is brilliant though. I watched the Derby and you just knew he'd never see it out.

He's so fucking slow it's hard to believe he played any premiership games.

[Waffdon]

He looked sharper yesterday - finally getting full fitness I imagine. You can tell he's played at a higher level, though. Hadn't realised he was donning the German leagues a few years ago as well.

[Giggles]

What's on free TV today then?

[Chrissy]

He's so fucking slow it's hard to believe he played any premiership games.


He looked sharper yesterday - finally getting full fitness I imagine. You can tell he's played at a higher level, though. Hadn't realised he was donning the German leagues a few years ago as well.

I'm with Magic on this, for all he is an impressive specimen of manliness, iv'e seen UHT Milk turn quicker. He is shot, utterly shot. He may have looked sharper against Airdrie but it's fucking Airdrie.

[Weaver]

Oxford vs Swansea is on the BBC website, for anyone who's at a loose end: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/35031859

Four minutes gone.

[Giggles]

Oxford look tidy enough so far.

[Waffdon]

I'm with Magic on this, for all he is an impressive specimen of manliness, iv'e seen UHT Milk turn quicker. He is shot, utterly shot. He may have looked sharper against Airdrie but it's fucking Airdrie.

He may well be, but he's been a standout for us (I know that's not very difficult). He's technically superb, which I'm in utter amazement at as when I seen him for West Ham he looked awful going forward.

We're going down with Guy Demel, Florent Sinama Pongolle, Japan's number one and some Finland International. What a time to be alive. Admin by May.

[Weaver]

Oxford look tidy enough so far.

Good first half all around. Plenty of chances either end.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Jason Mohammed is having a laugh with his questions to the pundits.

'A definite penalty, Kit.'

'No option, Chris.'

'Was this one of the FA Cup goals of the weekend?'

[Giggles]

Jason Mohammed is having a laugh with his questions to the pundits.

'A definite penalty, Kit.'

'No option, Chris.'

'Was this one of the FA Cup goals of the weekend?'

Setanta haven't even bothered for this one. Just ads for the whole of half time.

EDIT: Ah, they've just stuck on the goals from Blyth Spartans and Hartlepool now. Must have run out of ads.
Marlon Harewood. Is that this year or an old game?

[Giggles]

Lovely goal. That's been coming.

[Waffdon]

That Montero goal was a beaut.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Oxford have played some stuff that doesn't belong in League Two.

[Jimmy Floyd]

And that was absolutely lethal. They're just by far the better team.

[Samadini]

This has been a great tie.

Shelvey is just going to spend the rest of the game twatting it from 40 yards.

[Weaver]

Superb from Oxford, this. Kemar Roofe looks like a player.


EDIT: Ah, they've just stuck on the goals from Blyth Spartans and Hartlepool now. Must have run out of ads.
Marlon Harewood. Is that this year or an old game?

They played in last year's 2nd Round.


Shelvey is just going to spend the rest of the game twatting it from 40 yards.

He's aiming to fuck the Manager off so he can make his BIG move to us.

[Davgooner]

Swansea scored almost as soon as I loaded it up so I fucked it off thinking it was over.

:cab:

[Davgooner]

New chants get around every club in the country within about three weeks these days.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This is perhaps the best football match I've seen all season.

[Giggles]

This is perhaps the best football match I've seen all season.

It's been brilliant. Even fucked off the snooker for it.

[Lee]

Oxford have looked great. Always liked them for some reason. Probably nostalgia; I remember them being a league fixture for us.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Timmy Mallet :eyemouth:

[Jimmy Floyd]

What a brilliant game. Sweet Caroline :drool:

[Reg]

Sounds like I missed a good'un.

Thoughts on your chances later, Leicester chaps? Is Ranieri likely to play a proper team?

[Samadini]

'The Swansea Way' has been shat on :drool:

[Max Power]

Sounds like I missed a good'un.

Thoughts on your chances later, Leicester chaps? Is Ranieri likely to play a proper team?
It'll be 9 changes minimum. We'll murder them

[Giggles]

Sounds like I missed a good'un.

Thoughts on your chances later, Leicester chaps? Is Ranieri likely to play a proper team?

I'd expect both teams to go second string.

[Jimmy Floyd]

What these changed teams do highlight is some of the absolutely evil wage-robbing shite there is not playing for Premier League sides. Why should Marvin Emnes be allowed not to play instead of a local kid?

Chelsea almost full strength at home to Scunthorpe. The Goose knows his priorities.

[Giggles]

What these changed teams do highlight is some of the absolutely evil wage-robbing shite there is not playing for Premier League sides. Why should Marvin Emnes be allowed not to play instead of a local kid?

Chelsea almost full strength at home to Scunthorpe. The Goose knows his priorities.

He's probably better than a local kid but not better than a first team player.

[Jimmy Floyd]

But how do the local kids ever get better if he is in their way?

It used to infuriate me at Chelsea when every January we'd bring in some shitehawk like Jiri Jarosik or Alexei Smertin, and one of our own like Jack Cork would just be shunted off before inevitably building a decent Premier League career elsewhere.

[Giggles]

But how do the local kids ever get better if he is in their way?

It used to infuriate me at Chelsea when every January we'd bring in some shitehawk like Jiri Jarosik or Alexei Smertin, and one of our own like Jack Cork would just be shunted off before inevitably building a decent Premier League career elsewhere.

It's definitely not ideal at all but money is so abundant and jobs are so short term now that it near becomes impossible. Why risk a youngster when 4 or 5 bad results can leave you out of a job, when there's enough money there to keep some lower risks in the background to play instead.
I don't see much to be done to change it either. I'd much prefer to see a young player come through at a club too.

[simon]

The day younger players are stopped being viewed as 'risks' is the day we actually start to make progress as a footballing nation.

[Giggles]

The day younger players are stopped being viewed as 'risks' is the day we actually start to make progress as a footballing nation.

That's the problem though, what's going to change it?

[simon]

That's the problem though, what's going to change it?

I don't know really.

It's a culture, isn't it. In the same way we don't like cheats and divers, we think that playing too many kids at once is risky. Or we use 'experience' as a positive term to anyone over the age of 27 and use then lambast a kid's 'lack of experience' every time they make a mistake. Changing part of a countries culture is hard and I doubt it'll happen over the next 10 years or so.

[Waffdon]

Loftus Cheek not playing again is lol.

[Reg]

Bale's second from yesterday is worth catching.

It says something about La Liga when Sid Lowe used "sometimes impressive" twice to describe Real's performance in a 5-0 win.

Wonder if there's a little bit of Zidane thinking how easy the manager lark is.

[Yevrah]

Really nice to see Bale seemingly making a good fist of a mid-long term Madrid career.

[Manc]

That's the problem though, what's going to change it?

In this mega money TV deal era, absolutely nothing.

[John Arne]

Nice to see Jermain Jenas appearing for Chelsea.

[Giggles]

Leicester and Tottenham is being shown now. I actually think this no studio stuff is the way forward. Just the commentators and millions of ads, but there's only two people to talk bollocks then.

[Manc]

You're missing out on the nonsensical wizardry of Martin O'Neil.

[CJay]

Jonathan Pearce is commentating for the BBC. :sick:

[Lee]

I'm looking forward to seeing how Chilwell and Gray get on. I'd like a good run, as normal, but I don't see us going through here.

[Giggles]

It all seems very Europa League but with less empty seats.

[Lee]

The stuff about Ranieri not changing stuff is such bollocks. He has kept in place a lot of the backroom stuff but the difference on the pitch is huge. Yeah, Pearson did very well at the end of last season, but Ranieri has played a completely different system and has used the players very differently.

[Giggles]

That Chadli shot was going to hit the corner flag.

[Lee]

Fucking Schmeichel.

[Reg]

I know every team would be much worse without two of the best players, but Leicester without Mahrez and Vardy pretty much destroys their way play of playing doesn't it? As much as I love Ulloa, he can't do what Vardy does, is probably one of the league's slowest strikers and is more suited to a possession side.

[Giggles]

How old is Chilwell? He looks about 14.

[Lee]

Schmeichel is so shit. Him lumping it out of play is normal. Twat.

[Giggles]

Schmeichel is so shit. Him lumping it out of play is normal. Twat.

I haven't seen a massive pile but but I was under the impression he was a high point this season. Is he genuinely shit or is it his surname?

[Lee]

I know every team would be much worse without two of the best players, but Leicester without Mahrez and Vardy pretty much destroys their way play of playing doesn't it? As much as I love Ulloa, he can't do what Vardy does, is probably one of the league's slowest strikers and is more suited to a possession side.

Kante, Drinkwater and the full backs are more important to how we set up. We definitely need more depth in terms of attacking outlets though. De Laet already showing how shit he is. The bloke was a liability at times in the Championship.

Fucking catch that you daft cunt.

[Lee]

I haven't seen a massive pile but but I was under the impression he was a high point this season. Is he genuinely shit or is it his surname?

He has been one of our weak links. I've never really rated him to be honest. He can stop shots but he is rash and doesn't take charge in the area. His distribution has long been a disgrace.

[Lee]

Fucking love the big man though. Was. :cool:

[Giggles]

This might actually be decent too.

The goalscorer looks like he should be living in the woods chopping firewood and ripping apart elk for his dinner :cool:

[Reg]

Ah OK, at least you've got Kante on then.

Nice header. Decent game so far.

[Manc]

I've already switched off. Think I may be done with Soccer.

[Lee]

Ah OK, at least you've got Kante on then.

Nice header. Decent game so far.

He has no fucker to pass it to once he wins the ball today unfortunately. Our lack of width today is what's making us look a bit rubbish. That's what Mahrez and Vardy give us, but even if they were there there's nobody on the pitch to give them the balls they need often enough.

[CJay]

Does every set of fans sing that 'Everywhere We Go' song nowadays? What's it even about?

[Reg]

Ulloa needs pace and numbers around him. Another set piece is maybe your best bet.

[Lee]

Ulloa needs pace and numbers around him. Another set piece is maybe your best bet.

I think his confidence is shot anyway. Even when he has been surrounded by pace and bodies this season he has more often fucked up when he finds himself with the ball in good positions. The composure he had last season is nowhere to be seen. Lack of games, I guess.

Nathan Dyer is terrible. His performance against Bournemouth last week was amongst the most incompetent I've ever seen live.

[Reg]

Damn, that's a shame to hear. I would say it's a waste of a player when he could be beasting it for us, but then, top of the Premier League...

"One or two fans questioned his work ethic". Maybe literally one or two, I don't remember that being talked about.

[Giggles]

This has fizzled out fast.

[Lee]

Liking the look of Chilwell and Gray, De Laet and Dyer need shooting though. Boring game so far.

[CJay]

Haven't seen him much before now, but Gray looks like he thinks he a superstar.

[Boydy]

He looks like he needs a good dinner.

[Giggles]

Did something change recently that makes that a Costa goal and not an own goal?

[Lee]

I hope Okazaki is going to be the most advanced forwrd, I think he can do well in the Vardy role. He presses and can finish. Hasn't had a go in that role this season for obvious reasons but he scored plenty in Germany.

[Lee]

Told you. :cool:

[Giggles]

Ranieri :cool:

[Jimmy Floyd]

He whales when he wants
He whales when he wants
Shinji Okazaki
He whales when he wants

[CJay]

Loved that shimmy.

[Waffdon]

Okazaki is so ugly. :D

Always seems to happy though.

[Lee]

That's the best thing Ulloa's done all season.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Chilwell > Shaw.

Ranieri is a boss at bringing them through, too. Responsible for John Terry.

[Lee]

Balls.

[Giggles]

Chilwell > Shaw.

Ranieri is a boss at bringing them through, too. Responsible for John Terry.

Luke Shaw? That's a bit of an odd comparison or am I missing some link?

[CJay]

That looked like a harsh decision to me. It was a ricochet.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They're both left backs (it seems), English and the same age.

[Smiffy]

Luke Shaw? That's a bit of an odd comparison or am I missing some link?

English player who's been around five minutes has a good game = tipped for greatness.

You could replace Shaw for anyone tbf.

[Yevrah]

I'm just happy that in the next 2-5 years we're going to have so many quality England captains to choose from.

[Jimmy Floyd]

'Bobby Madley' is just guessing every decision here. I thought he guessed right for the penalty though.

[Giggles]

There's an extra game I'd say neither team wants. Doesn't the loser get three free weekends?

[Lee]

Well that's a bit of a shame, but it does mean I'll have an extra home game to go to.

If that game shows us one thing it's that we're a two man team.

[Reg]

That looked really harsh. I think he just span around to find the ball hit his hand. You could argue that's his own fault but it wasn't in an unnatural position. The ultra-slow motion makes it look as if he had time.

Good penalty though.

"I s'pose in many ways we've got a draw"....Fuck off 'in many ways'.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Is there any other manager that gets called 'Mr xxx' by interviewers?

Chelsea should never have sacked him.

[Max Power]

Shit pen decision but I suppose it's best to take a leaf from Claudio's book and not complain.

Chilwell and Gray look the real deal and good to see Shinji have a proper impact off the bench.

Two man team of course

[Jimmy Floyd]

Gaz Nev lost 2-0 at Real Sociedad earlier (write your own narrative), which will leave them 7 points away from what looks like being sixth placed Eibar (who are dons).

He should probably fake an illness or something and cut his losses.

[Yevrah]

The longer the bang average results continue the better for me.

Gets him further and further away from the England job, thank fuck.

[CJay]

I read that they've gone from 5 points off the Champions League spots when he took over to being 16 points off after this weekend. :D

[Jimmy Floyd]

I read that they've gone from 5 points off the Champions League spots when he took over to being 16 points off after this weekend. :D
That is partly due to Villarreal winning every week, but yes.

I've been watching the second half of this Eibar game and they really are legends. A bunch of frankly rubbish players donning it for the cause in a small ground.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That game also included a brilliant three seconds in which a referee theatrically waved play on after a penalty appeal, then immediately changed his mind and gave the penalty anyway. It's all in the game.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXdLaatBO2M

[Kikó]

Why do we want Neville to fail?

[Yevrah]

Why do we want Neville to fail?

I don't want him to fail, per se, but nor do I want him to be England manager after the summer.

[Kikó]

You want Harry rather than Gary right?

[Yevrah]

I don't want someone whose experience extends to reading a script on Sky and 10 months with Valencia.

The job used to be worth more than that.

[Yevrah]

David Moyes would be a better bet than Neville at this stage, that's how loon the whole idea of him managing England is.

[Smiffy]

Why do we want Neville to fail?

If I can be serious for a moment and give you the real reason. Because he's English and irrespective of his ties with Valencia's owner, he's still got some balls for giving up a cushy job at sky and trying his hand at management both in a different league and country. More English players/managers should follow this lead but alas too many are scared of being shown up for the technically/tactically inferior footballers/coaches that they are.

I'm not too fussed what he does in Spain and if current form is anything to go by you'd suggest not much has been done but Gary Neville will always be an exception rather than a rule. It'll go pear shaped for him in Spain, he'd have been better off sticking to what he knows and going for a Premier League job. The English always want to see their own fail, it's not about the underdog stuff any more, it's more of a "how dare they succeed" type attitude. Build them up, knock them down, it's standard form really.

[Yevrah]

The English always want to see their own fail, it's not about the underdog stuff any more, it's more of a "how dare they succeed" type attitude. Build them up, knock them down, it's standard form really.

What absolute rot.

[Smiffy]

Incorrect. It's absolute truth.

[Kikó]

I don't want someone whose experience extends to reading a script on Sky and 10 months with Valencia.

The job used to be worth more than that.

Hasn't he also been coaching England for the past 3 years?

Seems strange to forget he hasn't just walked in from his FM experience.

[Max Power]

I don't want to see him fail but I'd like him (and Peter Lim and Jorge Mendes - although Jorge never fails) to fail at Valencia

[Yevrah]

Hasn't he also been coaching England for the past 3 years?

He's been England Assistant Manager yeah, if the last time we tried promoting one of those wasn't such an unmitigated disaster I'd think it meant more of a damn.

[Yevrah]

Incorrect. It's absolute truth.

Well I'm English and I don't ALWAYS want to see 'my own' fail, so it's not.

[Lee]

Which of the English candidates do have the right experience? If Hodgson goes in the summer (he won't) them the English candidates are who?

Alan Pardew?
Eddie Howe?
Sam Allardyce?

I think all have a better claim than Neville and have all had (relative) success in the game but that's a pretty poor place to be. An example of where they money in the Premier League harms us. The other big leagues have big clubs managed by coaches of that club's nationality. We can just afford to buy in whoever is flavour of the month across Europe.

Who would you pick of that lot. Eddie Howe would get us playing decent enough football but one season of top flight management makes him something of a risk. Pardew has done well over a longer period but I don't see hom being a popular choice with the suits at the FA. Ditto Allardyce but at least, in the same way as he'll guarantee most middling clubs top fought survival, he is likely to find his way to major tournament quarter finals by being a safety first merchant.

[Offshore Toon]

Pardew would be a disaster.

[Reg]

Allardyce. The players we have are set up to counter, we have no centre midfielders who are technical or good enough to keep the ball against the best, and as a relative underdog we need to accept the fact that the only way we could possibly achieve something is to set up tight and play it safe.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The FA will appoint St George's Park technocrats from here on in, there won't be any picking managers out of club football. That's also why Roy is staying on seemingly forever.

I'd have Gareth Southgate as the current favourite. Apparently though Brendan Rodgers is going around briefing any journalist who will listen that he'd like to be in the frame.

[Waffdon]

Atletico :drool:

[Giggles]

Smiffy speaks sense. There's also the whole unhealthy obsession bullshit that people have with Salford. Stiff upper lip, tradition, what, what, what, etc.

[Raoul Duke]

The FA will appoint St George's Park technocrats from here on in, there won't be any picking managers out of club football. That's also why Roy is staying on seemingly forever.

I'd have Gareth Southgate as the current favourite. Apparently though Brendan Rodgers is going around briefing any journalist who will listen that he'd like to be in the frame.

Decent call on Southgate, but Rodgers is from The Northern Republic Of Ireland. Can't see him getting a go.

[Shindig]

I could. Same could be said of Mark Hughes.

[CJay]

Atletico :drool:

Just checked the table - they've only conceded 8 goals. :serious:

[Waffdon]

It is amazing. I'd imagine it'll go to the last game or two re: who wins the league depending on status in the Champions League with Barcelona and them.

Kranevitter geezer they've signed is meant to be a worldie.

[Magic]

Probably already covered by lol at those Villa fans crucifying the team as they get on the team bus.

[Lee]

Anybody not in the Premier League at home please.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That's quite a fun draw. Lots of underdogs at home.

Can't remember us playing Northampton in my time, and we've definitely not played the MK Dons in a competitive game, so that's a nice draw.

[Kikó]

Derby is a great away ground. Hope I can grab a ticket.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Derby :drool:

I can't wait to watch us plod to a 1-0 win.

[Boydy]

Assuming Liverpool beat Exeter in the replay, they'll be out in the next round. Fucking West Ham. Fuck off.