The Football - 5-7 March 2016

[Smiffy]

.....

[John]

Smiff is off making the biannual thread about which club has the soundest fans, isn't he?

I was in Portugal when Greece won the Euros. The place went bonkers when Portugal made the final so I'd have liked to see what happened if they won it, but Greece winning was still mental so I was good either way.

[Lewis]

I'm sticking with Euro 2004. This is incredible, but smaller teams have won (or nearly won) things before, and the league is still pretty fractured with its three richest (and least BOTTLE JOB-prone) teams in various states of crisis. Greece donned everybody good with a bunch of nobodies and about eight shots on target.

[Smiffy]

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[Smiffy]

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[Smiffy]

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[Yevrah]

Seems everyone is doing it. I've noticed it before, but when you scored today there seemed to be a bit of a strange reaction by all concerned. Rather than the fans and commentators screaming with DRAMA and PASSION, it was more this surreal realisation that it is really happening.

It's understandable, we're watching the most remarkable thing in the history of the game unfold. No one can quite believe it.

[Ian]

Forest going from second tier to European Champions in the space of three years or whatever still probably tops it but I wasn't alive when that happened so fuck 'em.

[Yevrah]

I'm sticking with Euro 2004. This is incredible, but smaller teams have won (or nearly won) things before, and the league is still pretty fractured with its three richest (and least BOTTLE JOB-prone) teams in various states of crisis. Greece donned everybody good with a bunch of nobodies and about eight shots on target.

Leicester winning the league would shit all over what Greece did. I think people have become desensitised to it because it's built up over 6 months, but it's remarkable, absolutely fucking remarkable.

[Yevrah]

Forest going from second tier to European Champions in the space of three years or whatever still probably tops it but I wasn't alive when that happened so fuck 'em.

Maybe, but the game was very different back then, it wasn't the professional/money monster we see now, a monster that Leicester are making a mockery of. Albeit with help from the likes of the absolutely shambolic Wenger.

[Lewis]

I appreciate that Leicester have put their team together relatively cheaply; but they still have a world-wide scouting network and the resources to take advantage of it, which counts for a lot when our supposed top teams don't stockpile quality like the foreign giants do, and are therefore susceptible to actually losing games. It's brilliant, and will be the best thing English football has seen in a long time; but you have to realise that they are still a well-run club able to take advantage of a particular set of circumstances. West Ham have done likewise under the radar, and you could say some other clubs have too.

George Burley got Ipswich into the UEFA Cup in their first top flight season. It's not winning the league (four points off second, since United pissed it), but it's still a bollocks team massively out-performing themselves and 'doing it' over a full season, and their scouting network probably didn't even know what a foreigner was. How does that compare?

[The Merse]

I still say that Renhagel's Kaiserslautern was the greater achievement, going from the 2. Bundesliga to winning the 1. Bundesliga immediately afterwards with fuck all money spent and this fella somehow getting some caps for Germany:
http://www.spox.com/de/sport/diashows/0803/Fussball/Best-of/Schnauzer-Baerte-Oliba/schnauzer-baerte-oliba-marschall.jpg

Nonetheless, still incredible...

[Yevrah]

I appreciate that Leicester have put their team together relatively cheaply; but they still have a world-wide scouting network and the resources to take advantage of it, which counts for a lot when our supposed top teams don't stockpile quality like the foreign giants do, and are therefore susceptible to actually losing games. It's brilliant, and will be the best thing English football has seen in a long time; but they are still a well-run club able to take advantage of a particular set of circumstances. West Ham have done likewise under the radar, and you could say some other clubs have too.

George Burley got Ipswich into the UEFA Cup in their first top flight season. It's not winning the league (four points off second, since United pissed it), but it's still a bollocks team massively out-performing themselves and 'doing it' over a full season, and their scouting network probably didn't even know what a foreigner was. How does that compare?

It's Leicester, winning the league. Say that again out loud an then come back to me.

And everyone has scouting networks, so I've absolutely no idea what difference that makes.

[Lewis]

Maybe, but the game was very different back then, it wasn't the professional/money monster we see now, a monster that Leicester are making a mockery of. Albeit with help from the likes of the absolutely shambolic Wenger.

That's what I mean. Do Leicester not pay their players? Were they all born within ten seconds of the ground? They spent thirty-five million quid last year. It's nowhere near what some clubs spent; but the difference is that they appear to have spent it well, and subsequently got the managing spot on. What more can you do?

[Yevrah]

That's what I mean. Do Leicester not pay their players? Were they all born within ten seconds of the ground? They spent thirty-five million quid last year. It's nowhere near what some clubs spent; but the difference is that they appear to have spent it well, and subsequently got the managing spot on. What more can you do?

Yes, they've got what they've done very right. How does that undermine their achievement?

And £35m in Premier League terms is fuck all.

[Smiffy]

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[Lewis]

They've completely nailed everything they've done, and whilst thirty-five million is nothing to some clubs, when you spend it wisely that thirty-five million buys you half a pretty decent team. It's not undermining it to put it into some sort of context.

The fact is that all clubs these days (unless they're in the North East) have the basis to succeed with their reach and resources, so when they do get it bang on they can challenge. West Ham are doing likewise; but because they did not spend as well and/or have not been coached as well they are only fifth. The gap is closing. Most clubs can't spend what United and City spend, but half the time they don't spend that money wisely. Raheem Sterling may well prove a good investment in time, but he isn't playing like a fifty million pound player is he? So in the context of 2015/16 that comparatively massive spending is irrelevant.

The best comparison to this is Jose Mourinho at Porto. They got their transfers spot on, he coached them perfectly, and in two seasons he won the UEFA Cup and the Champions' League. They did brilliantly, but ultimately all they did was properly-exploit their own reach and resources, which enabled them to take advantage of the rest of the competition not doing so.

[Andy]

Not true. 'On paper' we don't have a bad side at all.

Khazri is a baller. I bet Allardyce was fuming yesterday.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The best comparison to this is Jose Mourinho at Porto. They got their transfers spot on, he coached them perfectly, and in two seasons he won the UEFA Cup and the Champions' League. They did brilliantly, but ultimately all they did was properly-exploit their own reach and resources, which enabled them to take advantage of the rest of the competition not doing so.

All of which is considerably harder to do then to get Greece defending well for a few games and shitting a couple of winners in from set pieces.

[Raoul Duke]

Leicester, if they do it, will be a bigger shock overall than Greece, for me. Tournament football, whereby challengers can be knocked out before you get to play them, and having far fewer games, is much more prone to curveballs than a 38 game season where the fixtures are all equal.

[Shindig]

I dunno. Their form of last year makes it less of a shock. Its a surprise they've managed to maintain it, though.

[Lee]

If we win the league it pisses all over Greece. It won't surpass Ipswich winning the league after promotion or Forest doing the same then winning two European Cups though. You could argue that Ipswich played in a more equal environment due to the maxiumum wage, and that Forest spent a shitload by the standards of the time, but then we have some advantages as described by Lewis in this thread. Both won the league more quickly than we would have done, and Forest won more.

It's daft how close we could be to this. Five wins might well be enough. It's seven wins from Nine games for Spurs to surpass the 75 points we'd be on. Doable of course, but bloody tough.

[Ian]

Maybe, but the game was very different back then, it wasn't the professional/money monster we see now, a monster that Leicester are making a mockery of. Albeit with help from the likes of the absolutely shambolic Wenger.

Absolutely, which makes a direct comparison difficult and probably a bit of a waste of time. But whereas there will be people who'll point at the other "big" teams' respective collapses if Leicester win it (rightly or wrongly) to then crack on and win the European Cup isn't as likely to be put down to that sort of thing.

With regard to comparing Greece and Leicester, I agree to an extent and the implied point that the majority of Premier League clubs vastly underachieve with their own resources. Though obviously not everybody can achieve exactly what they "should" without there being eight ninth-place spots and less relegation or whatever.

[Lee]

I dunno. Their form of last year makes it less of a shock. Its a surprise they've managed to maintain it, though.

Eight points clear over the last 38 games. Mental.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Leicester will win the Champions League easily anyway. I can see them actually doing quite well as long as they don't spend the summer buying shit imitations of 'technical' players but stick to the quick, direct approach. Look at how Inler has done there.

They probably want a better centre back and a goalscoring midfielder. Other than that, hunky dory.

[Shindig]

Transitional mancs and North-London-ness, innit? Keegan's Newcastle would've smashed this.

[Lee]

Leicester will win the Champions League easily anyway. I can see them actually doing quite well as long as they don't spend the summer buying shit imitations of 'technical' players but stick to the quick, direct approach. Look at how Inler has done there.

They probably want a better centre back and a goalscoring midfielder. Other than that, hunky dory.

I certainly have no reason to believe that we'll be stuck to the bottom of our group. We'll do about as well or badly as any of the other English sides do. Trips to Rome, Berlin and either somewhere south in September or east/north in December would be lovely.

[niko_cee]

You'll have to beat United over 2 legs at old Trafford with a -3 handicap to get into the group stage though.

After all, they invented the football.

[Dquincy]

Just watched the Arsenal Spurs highlights. How the ruddy hell did Dier not get a second yellow? Not sure how late in the match it was, but really odd non decision by the ref.

[Davgooner]

Fucking loved that. Ramsey scores at the end there and I'd have probably had a seizure.

[Giggles]

Seen highlights this morning too. Hugo Lolris.

[Dquincy]

Fucking loved that. Ramsey scores at the end there and I'd have probably had a seizure.

If that was on his RHS, then he'd have hit it a lot earlier before the centre back put a block in.

Does anyone think Ospina should have made more of an attempt to save Kane's goal? Or was it just a worldie of a shot?

[Dquincy]

West Ham GK, Adrian, was well off his line when he saved that pen yesterday. Thought GK's had to stay on their line.

[Giggles]

West Ham GK, Adrian, was well off his line when he saved that pen yesterday. Thought GK's had to stay on their line.

They do. Giving the penalty was dodgy enough but once it was given then it should have been retaken after he didn't stay on the line.

Shite penalty though.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They absolutely never seem to get given either (keepers off line) which is particularly weird when you think the linesman, at that moment, is specifically looking at that and has no other jobs.

[Dquincy]

They absolutely never seem to get given either (keepers off line) which is particularly weird when you think the linesman, at that moment, is specifically looking at that and has no other jobs.

Yeah true. Although, I do have sympathy when they face a penalty taker who does that stutter run up.

Maybe they should just abolish/adapt the rule.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Watching Betis v Granada and Charly Musonda, on loan to the former from Chelsea, looks absolutely sensational. If he's not in our first team squad next season it will be a joke.

[Shindig]

None of Dudek's saves were on the line in Istanbul.

[Jimmy Floyd]

This game has been the perfect Spanish storm of ridiculous play acting and absolutely terrible refereeing (11 yellows and 2 reds). Granada are going down I think. Long live La Liga.

Betis have somehow won 2-0 despite spending the whole second half diving in their own half at 0-0.

[Smiffy]

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[Dquincy]

None of Dudek's saves were on the line in Istanbul.

I'm not entirely sure what your point is.

[Shindig]

I'm saying its a rule rarely enforced.

[Dquincy]

I'm saying its a rule rarely enforced.

So should it be abolished? Or maybe adapted? Wonder how the NHL shoot out style would work with football...

[Waffdon]

Been up since 7am yesterday morning. What a day yesterday. A horrific season but the utter carnage after the last minute is why we spend thousands on this weird hobby.

Canna wait to be relegated and lose a cup final for the third season in a row :drool:

[Charlie]

Leicester winning the league would be the most extraordinary thing to happen in football during my life so far, easily. Nothing comes anywhere close to it. It really is, in sporting terms, impossible, yet it is going to happen.

[Shindig]

Well, with goalline officials it should be enforced better in European competition. As for the shootouts, MLS used to do that. It was awesome. Rather than relying on luck you're seeing who bottles first.

[Smiffy]

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[Giggles]

Even seeing the fixture written can bring a tear of joy to the eye. Precious memories :)

[Reg]

So should it be abolished? Or maybe adapted? Wonder how the NHL shoot out style would work with football...
It can't be abolished because then keepers could run up to the ball at the same moment as the kicker, or start five yards from the goal, or whatever.

[Serj]

Moreno's going to get himself sent off here if he doesn't calm down.

[Dquincy]

Why are Liverpool so shit?

I really do wish we had Rodgers instead of Klopp.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Why did the commentator announce that Milner red card in the tone that Murray Walker used when Senna died?

[Lewis]

Was I the only person who thought 'Brendan' deserved TIME? Taz (he would appreciate my Leicester point) had dropped him so I might have been.

[Foe]

Why did the commentator announce that Milner red card in the tone that Murray Walker used when Senna died?

That one was worse than coquelin. Zaha was about 5 yards outside his own box.

[Yevrah]

Was I the only person who thought 'Brendan' deserved TIME? Taz (he would appreciate my Leicester point) had dropped him so I might have been.

I wouldn't have sacked him either, but I can see why they did with Klopp available.

[John Arne]

Was I the only person who thought 'Brendan' deserved TIME? Taz (he would appreciate my Leicester point) had dropped him so I might have been.

He had lost it. And, with Klopp available, it was the completely right decision. I know you want to have a dig at Klopp at every possible opportunity, but at least give him until next season.

[John Arne]

Henderson returning to his early Liverpool days is worrying. Offers nothing defensively or going forward.

[Lewis]

You both say 'with Klopp available' as if he was Jose Mourinho. How are Dortmund doing this season with the worst hairline in football pulling the strings?

[John Arne]

He won a few titles, that's good enough for me.

[Luke Emia]

Henderson returning to his early Liverpool days is worrying. Offers nothing defensively or going forward.

I think the problem is we have three very industrious central midfielders at the minute who all do pretty much the same thing. They all seem to be stuck in no mans land for me. Not really offering enough going either way.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Klopp is currently using some other mong's players. Next season they will cruise to a top four place.

[Luke Emia]

Brilliant. Dwight Gayle, I fucking hate that cunt.

[Luke Emia]

Klopp is currently using some other mong's players. Next season they will cruise to a top four place.

Not sure we will do but he obviously has certain players he wants to bring who he couldn't get in January hence not spending any money. I do think he's going to be ruthless in the summer though. Benteke, Lallana, Moreno, Allen could all be gone I would think.

[Smiffy]

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[Lewis]

He'll replace their existing over-priced average players with new ones, because their transfer set-up (unlike what he had at Dortmund) is shit.

[Luke Emia]

How on earth have we been better for the last 30 minutes with 10 men. Utterly bizarre.

[Serj]

That's a terrible dive and terrible decision. Should probably also have retaken the penalty.

[John Arne]

He'll replace their existing over-priced average players with new ones, because their transfer set-up (unlike what he had at Dortmund) is shit.

It's the same at 90% of the other clubs. Take off your Liverpool hating specs for 5 minutes.

[Lewis]

The defender clipped him with his knee didn't he?

[John Arne]

Well, that was pretty underserved. It was a penalty, though.

[Serj]

Yeah, there seems to have been some contact with the knee, I'll take that back.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The defender clipped him with his knee didn't he?

Yeah, you couldn't really see it from the first replay but you could see it with the second replay they showed.

Delaney is a mong for even going to the ground.

[Gray Fox]

Looked a dive to me. Was expecting Benteke to get booked. Needed the slo-mo replay to see it.

[Smiffy]

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[Lewis]

It's the same at 90% of the other clubs. Take off your Liverpool hating specs for 5 minutes.

Ninety per cent of clubs don't nearly win the league (lol), sell the best player they've had in thirty years, and then still come sixth after losing their second best player to injury. The problems 'Brendan' encountered were all effectively out of his hands. Everything being equal, Liverpool are the fifth/sixth best team in the country. If they nail their recruitment they can challenge; if they fuck it up they finish ninth. It's not 'Liverpool hating' to actually think about football strategically and suggest that there is no reason to believe that Jurgen 'Jurgen Klopp' Klopp is such an improvement on what they already had.

[John Arne]

Ninety per cent of clubs don't nearly win the league (lol), sell the best player they've had in thirty years, and then still come sixth after losing their second best player to injury. The problems 'Brendan' encountered were all effectively out of his hands. Everything being equal, Liverpool are the fifth/sixth best team in the country. If they nail their recruitment they can challenge; if they fuck it up they finish ninth. It's not 'Liverpool hating' to actually think about football strategically and suggest that there is no reason to believe that Jurgen 'Jurgen Klopp' Klopp is such an improvement on what they already had.

There was no point keeping Suarez around. He clearly wanted to leave (since the previous season) and he deserved to be at a bigger club than us, and we got a decent(-ish) fee for him. We came sixth because we signed shit players, and those players who are decent were usually played out of position by Brendan. If Klopp (and his team) can identify better players, and then use more effectively - then it most definitely will be an improvement on Rodgers. Well done for being able to think about football more "strategically", though.

[John Arne]

By the way - I'm not for one second suggesting that Klopp is the answers to all of our problems - but it was the right time to get rid of Brendan, without doubt.

[Reg]

You can't put the difference in success of the two managers solely down to transfers. Dortmund's buys might look different with hindsight but Klopp coached those players into title winners; they couldn't go out and buy readymade stars.

Selling Suarez was their only option. When Barcelona or Real Madrid want your player, time's up.

[Lewis]

There was no point keeping Suarez around. He clearly wanted to leave (since the previous season) and he deserved to be at a bigger club than us, and we got a decent(-ish) fee for him. We came sixth because we signed shit players, and those players who are decent were usually played out of position by Brendan. If Klopp (and his team) can identify better players, and then use more effectively - then it most definitely will be an improvement on Rodgers. Well done for being able to think about football more "strategically", though.

They were never keeping Suarez, and they were never going to replace him, so they should have just sucked it up and accepted that it would cost them three places (as suggested at the time (http://www.thedugout.net/community/showthread.php?p=4230978#post4230978)). Similarly, Liverpool haven't signed 'shit players'. They have signed players to get them sixth. When the players were actually there 'Brendan' got the most out of them. It was the harshest sacking in a long time.

[Smiffy]

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[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Mata :face:

[Lewis]

You stupid Spanish twat.

[Davgooner]

The way the weekend's gone, that's probably the best thing that could have happened to United.

[Ian]

Marvellous.

[Smiffy]

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[Lee]

I really like Rondon. I'd love us to sign him.

[Jimmy Floyd]

One of the rolling pitchside adverts is for these: http://www.abcpresident.com/eng/products.php?id=4

However, the Official Global Noodle partner of Manchester United is this: http://www.manutd.com/en/Partners/Global-Partners.aspx?sponsorid=%7BE6CE247B-5586-47EC-82F0-67500725B44C%7D

Ed Woodward will be tearing his hair out.

[Smiffy]

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[John Arne]

Pardew :D

706516614150094850

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He's absolutely seething.

[Samadini]

He's such a bell end when things aren't going his way.

They'll get their first win since Christmas against Newcastle.

[GS]

Just on the Greek point, they took four points to get out of their group in Euro 2004 and then won three consecutive games 1-0. They also went on to qualify for four of the next five major tournaments, so there was clearly a nucleus of talent there. It wasn't world class talent certainly, but certainly enough to shit out three games by a narrow margin in a knock-out tournament. The teams they beat weren't exactly Brazil 1970 either. Better teams than them certainly, with marquee players (Zidane, Nedved, Figo respectively) but you can't really compare that to a performance over 38 league games.

Greece didn't have to play England, Italy, Holland, Germany. You compare that to a league season where Leicester will have to play every team twice, home and away, as will every other team. It's a much more even playing field, and you have the potential for injuries, managing your squad and other variables that are significantly reduced in a tournament environment. Greece was a major "you fucking what?" moment, but it can't compete with a league title won over the course of nine months.

In this sense, the Greek win is no different to Liverpool beating Italian champions Juventus over two legs, English champions Chelsea over two-legs and then coming back from 3-0 down in the final to beat Milan on penalties. And no-one is claiming Liverpool's CL win, whilst historically a "you fucking what?" moment, holds as a comparable achievement to Greece - or, indeed, Leicester.

[Luke Emia]

West Brom are awful. Not just bad it's horrific to watch.

[Yevrah]

Lovely goal.

[Luke Emia]

Good jinx for United there.

[Jimmy Floyd]

That thing about Pocognoli not having made an appearance since Pulis took charge, whilst Dawson and Chester are plodding up and down the flanks, was amazing.

[Reg]

West Brom are awful. Not just bad it's horrific to watch.
They've been the better team. They've played some decent football as well: the Fletcher-Gardner-Berahino move and the goal were very good.

[Lewis]

If Mourinho isn't happening then I want another season of 'LvG'. This isn't really helping.

[niko_cee]

Some of the United comments on the BBC live text thing are pretty fucking lol.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

We're so shit.

[Davgooner]

The way the weekend's gone, that's probably the best thing that could have happened to United.

Or not.

[phonics]

706546251270119425

Brillo.

[John]

This MLS game is already great fun.

'US international Jonathan Spector' is delighted to be there, and his partner is delighted to have him there for his thoughts and analysis on how defending works

Pirlo and Villa up against a defence playing together for the first time. Over 6.5.

[John]

1-1 after eighteen minutes but there could have been about six goals already. The Chicago goal has come from some of the most laughable defending you will ever see.

[Yevrah]

I've been enjoying it too John. The first goal was a right corker.

[Lee]

It's great fun to watch. New York's defensive line is superb.

[John]

Pirlo looks absolutely shattered already, but he can still peg a free kick like no other.

Some of the attacking play is lovely to watch but neither side even seems to be aware of the concept of defending.

EDIT - :D One defender kicks another in the head as he's handballing it through for the opposition to score. And so the game was summed up.

[Yevrah]

That third. :D

[Foe]

That third. :D

Miscontrol in centre midfield.
Hoof forward.
Poor touch.
Another poor touch.
Keeper howler.
Goal.

[SincereTheRebel]

Valencia vs a.madrid is some end to end shit. 1-1 after 30 min. Neville is livid on the side lines. Barking at his players.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Scoring against Atletico should in itself be enough to get him a five year contract.

[Davgooner]

706559400702513152

[SincereTheRebel]

That could easily be the banner for the latest Goal! movie

[John]

He's been down in the box letting his team play around him for a minute after that? :D

This whole thing is more of a comedy roadshow than a game of football.

[John]

One more goal for two hundred quid. If I don't get it I'm bombing Trips' house.

[SvN]

You won, right?

[Davgooner]

What the fuck is the Valencia keeper doing there?

[Giggles]

Sounds like McClaren will be gone tomorrow.

[Lee]

Fuckers had to do it before we play them, for fuck's sake.

[Jimmy Floyd]

They need to have someone lined up to take over absolutely immediately. The amount of time some teams take to appoint after sacking these days suggests that the execs just don't have a clue what they're doing.

[Waffdon]

Ian Cathro ftw

[GS]

Atletico are brilliant.

[Waffdon]

12 goals conceded in 28 games. Magical.

[Magic]

Were You out in Inv last night mate?

[Raoul Duke]

They need to have someone lined up to take over absolutely immediately. The amount of time some teams take to appoint after sacking these days suggests that the execs just don't have a clue what they're doing.

Moyes or "Rafa", according to The Internet.

[Lewis]

Why would David Moyes tarnish his reputation any more by associating himself with Newcastle?

[Max Power]

Carver saved them last time. Get him back. Best coach in the league he said right?

[GS]

Because his ego will tell him that he can turn things around. Much like the managers who keep buying the likes of Mario Balotelli.

[Jimmy Floyd]

http://i.imgur.com/IY88bDB.png

Very few careers have survived a stint there. Big Sam, Hughton and I guess Pards. Soz Sir Bobby, don't mean you.

[CJay]

Both of them would be mad to take on a club starting at imminent relegation. The benefit of having a successful escape from relegation on your cv does not outweigh the risk of taking a club down.

[Raoul Duke]

Pearson was Newcastle manager (caretaker) twice? :cab:

[Giggles]

Pearson was Newcastle manager (caretaker) twice? :cab:

He'd be the one I'd be thinking would be taking it. Probably their best bet.

[Samadini]

Bring back The Roedent :cool:

[Max Power]

Get Nige in. He'd do well I think. Would probably want to sell/headbutt every single player in the squad at first but he'd sort you out in the end.

[Raoul Duke]

He's a mentalist

[Jimmy Floyd]

https://twitter.com/btsportfootball/status/706608414651129856

Get him in the next African Nations.

[Max Power]

The final nail in a fine career hammered in by a guy wth dreads called Alan

[Samadini]

Pearson beating Leicester in his first game in charge :drool:

[GS]

I would quite like Newcastle to wait a week so that Leicester have a better chance of getting the three points. If you could arrange that Sama, that'd be great.

[Samadini]

Most appointments go down to about 6th choice on the list and then Joe Kinnear if no one else wants it, so we could be waiting a while yet.

[niko_cee]

I'm sure Newcastle's new manager bounce usually extends to getting roasted in their first game. I recall that Owen rubbing his hands together game, wasn't that Gullit's first game in charge? That said, was Pardew's first game one where Wor Andy shoved one in against us from 35 yards (which is presumably where they got the valuation from)?

[GS]

Aye, Kuyt shitted one in and WOR ANDY led them to a 3-1 (I think) victory. All while Carol Ann Duffy sat on the sidelines with a look of bemusement plastered all over his treacherous fucking countenance.

[Waffdon]

Were You out in Inv last night mate?

Dingwall and then Inverness, yeah. Absolutely ruined

[Samadini]

Yeah Pardew shat on Liverpool (with Hughton's team that was doing well enough).

You've also got Sir Bobby coming in a shitting on Sheffield Wednesday, Shearer with 5.

[Spoonsky]

Real Salt Lake did this (http://www.espnfc.com/video/mls-highlights/150/video/2823734/watch-orlando-score-twice-in-stoppage-time) today, so it was nice to see Liverpool win their game at the same minute with an equally stupid goal.

[Spoonsky]

I just turned on the television and a woman's college basketball game was starting, and one of the girls was named Aerial Powers. :D

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/college/msu/womens-basketball/2016/03/03/aerial-powers-nearing-scoring-record-msu-opens-postseason/81260704/

[Shindig]

I'm thinking the only thing that will save us is having Keegan in the stands and visible on TV. His presence was enough to get that 4-1 win over Stoke.

[Kikó]

Nice to see van Gaal revert to type when we play someone decent. 8th is on.

[leedsrevolution]

West Brom... Decent?

[Magic]

Dingwall and then Inverness, yeah. Absolutely ruined

Fuck sake, so was I. On a stag though. Where did you go?

[Josh]

Watford are an appalling side. They've prospered because they have some idea how to defend (very rare nowadays) and Ighalo/Deeney were clinical earlier in the season. As a football team, though, they are horrid - narrow, strangled, and there's more creativity in Mahrez's arsehole than their whole team. They'll do well to stay up next year unless the Pozzos manage to raise the stakes, as they shifted most of the better players they have over from Granada for this year (hence Granada are doomed).

Don't care enough to get into the rest and don't necessarily disagree with some of it but this isn't the first time you've spouted uninformed shite recently. Only one player moved over from Granada this season.

http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/150601-watford-fc-transfers-and-signings-201516-2532654.aspx

[Jimmy Floyd]

Ighalo was also there until recently, as were Paredes and Belkalem. I thought Amrabat was too but the scene of his shithousrry was actually Malaga. I'm allowed to post an opinion without a forensic knowledge of which transfer window various players moved in.

Watford have significantly outgrown the other two clubs, is my point, in terms of the calibre of player that will be required to make any further progress.

[Kikó]

West Brom... Decent?

As in they're competent and organised.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Waffdon]

Fuck sake, so was I. On a stag though. Where did you go?

Was that your lot being utter dunces outside Johnny foxes?

[Magic]

Was that your lot being utter dunces outside Johnny foxes?

Nah there was only 3 of us by the time we hit Foxes, about 1:30AM. Also it was fucking mobbed and shite. I ended up back at my hotel somehow, covered in Thousand Island from a Subway (presumably, as the wrapper was on the floor).

[Jeet]

Why they heck was MoTD calling Mahrez 'Fantastic Mr Fox' - is it because he is brown?

[Toby]

Google is your friend, jeet.

[Disco]

Leicester are known as The Foxes.

[bruhnaldo]

first Orlando City game of the year yesterday in front of 60,000

Was down 2:0 in the 93rd minute and Orlando scored twice to tie it lol

everyone lost their damn mind, lots of fun.

http://www.cbssports.com/soccer/eye-on-soccer/25506958/watch-orlando-city-pulls-off-amazing-finish-in-front-60000-plus-fans

[Kikó]

You're a breath of fresh air, Kiko. The mugs up change their mind every other week. He was great after the Arsenal match because gives youngsters a chance etc etc blah blah.

Thursday can't come quick enough. I reckon the aggregate score is going to be 8-6 or something stupid.

I think we will be okay as you will attack us and we won't have to try break you down. If Klopp is savvy he'll just sit back and wait until we inevitably run out of ideas.

[Reg]

I think both teams will be too scared of losing to see some mad scoreline like that. 2-1 aggregate one way or the other.

[Magic]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35744036

Fucking hell, #LADS.

Could have guessed it would be a couple of machete wielding Nigerians having this argument but the location surprised me. Wonder if 'Jeet's cousin was stoking the fire.

[Pepe]

Should Messi and/or Ronaldo be held accountable?

[Magic]

I do think they need to publicly distance themselves from arguments about themselves in pubs. Maybe a #notinmyname Twitter campaign would do the trick.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's got a hidden camera in my office. Definite ban time.

[Waffdon]

Nah there was only 3 of us by the time we hit Foxes, about 1:30AM. Also it was fucking mobbed and shite. I ended up back at my hotel somehow, covered in Thousand Island from a Subway (presumably, as the wrapper was on the floor).

What on earth are you always in Inverness for? Proper dive in the centre.

[Pen]

That Messi/Ronaldo thing is incredible :D

As of course is Jeet being confused about the fox thing and Harold acting like a child.

[Lewis]

I bet the Ronaldo fan was the killer. The Messi fan would go missing without ten quality stabbers backing him up.

[Spoonsky]

first Orlando City game of the year yesterday in front of 60,000

Was down 2:0 in the 93rd minute and Orlando scored twice to tie it lol

everyone lost their damn mind, lots of fun.

http://www.cbssports.com/soccer/eye-on-soccer/25506958/watch-orlando-city-pulls-off-amazing-finish-in-front-60000-plus-fans

That was fucking stupid. :moop:

[Shindig]

So I'm back home and Steve remains employed. Good for you.

[Lee]

You just carry on, Steve. Until next Tuesday.

[niko_cee]

Careful what you wish for. Last time his job was on the line it was Liverpool off the back of raping Southampton in the Cup and then Spurs away. Look what happened there.

[phonics]

That Leicester fan who put 50 quid on them to win the league has cashed out at 72 grand.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-35747633

Hope the team show similar bottle.

[Shindig]

"Alright, Claudio. We're going to give you the time it takes the board to revolve for your decision."
"Well, Jim ... I came here with nothing ..."

[Davgooner]

That Leicester fan who put 50 quid on them to win the league has cashed out at 72 grand.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-35747633

Hope the team show similar bottle.

Can't argue with his decision really. He can sit back like a fucking don now and enjoy the rest of the season.

[Reg]

It'd be interesting to see bookies' net profit on similarly unrealistic bets. Wonder if there's many people backing their own (probably nowhere near) team with sizeable sums.

[Shindig]

Okay, sounds like we held a board meeting without board member Steve McClaren in tow today. Shit.

[Magic]

What on earth are you always in Inverness for? Proper dive in the centre.

My work is up there.

[SvN]

It'd be interesting to see bookies' net profit on similarly unrealistic bets. Wonder if there's many people backing their own (probably nowhere near) team with sizeable sums.

They'll rake it in next season. After hearing about that, fans of smaller clubs will be making similar bets because "Anything can happen!". There's a guy at my work who supports Bournemouth who's already said he's having £50 each way on them next season to win the league.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Guardiola's City are the only team you can put money on next season. If they win you will be rich, and if they don't it will be hilarious.

[Davgooner]

I reckon Arsene Wenger's Chelsea will be right back in the mix as well.

[Jimmy Floyd]

O'Leary's Arsenal could struggle, though.

[Waffdon]

My work is up there.

You travel there every week? fuck dat

[Magic]

No just occasionally. Though I've been up there four times in the past few weeks. :sick:

[Foe]

No just occasionally. Though I've been up there four times in the past few weeks. :sick:

The irony of Dundonians insulting Inverness is just too much to bear here.

[Shindig]

Steve's still in charge. I imagine that board meeting without him was to discuss how great he is.