Football March 19th - 21st

[CJay]

Saturday
Premier League
12:45 Everton - Arsenal
15:00 Chelsea - West Ham United
15:00 Crystal Palace - Leicester City
15:00 Watford - Stoke City
15:00 West Bromwich Albion - Norwich City
17:30 Swansea City - Aston Villa

Misc
19:45 Roma - Inter

Sunday
Premier League
13:30 Newcastle United - Sunderland
13:30 Southampton - Liverpool
16:00 Manchester City - Manchester United
16:00 Tottenham Hotspur - AFC Bournemouth

Misc
15:00 Villarreal - Barcelona
19:30 Real Madrid - Sevilla

I checked other leagues for interesting games, but that's all I got really. Jamie Vardy's only scored in 3/11 league games in 2016. And only 5 goals since the start of December.

Middlesbrough beat Hull 1-0 tonight.

[Waffdon]

Dundee to put the nail in the coffin. :drool:

[Kikó]

We're going to be bummed again.

[Lee]

Four wins and a draw lads, four wins and a draw. We ought to get one of the wins tomorrow, Palace have been dreadful for ages and have a few out injured. I fancy Bournemouth to take something off Spurs too. Every weekend is both brilliant and awful at the minute. Football. :drool:

[CJay]

Surely Leicester are going to start dropping points soon? You can't continue winning games by 1 goal, right? If they close this out, though. :drool:

[Reg]

Strange Chelsea-West Ham isn't on telly. I'll just watch the Roma match tomorrow. Sunday's a cracker.

[Lee]

Surely Leicester are going to start dropping points soon? You can't continue winning games by 1 goal, right? If they close this out, though. :drool:

It does have a bit of a 'bad run incoming on FM' sort of feel about it but we haven't really looked like losing any of those games. We certainly could have beaten Watford more comfortably. Norwich was bad, and Newcastle was a bit nervy if anything but again we probably could have won that more comfortably. I'll take scrappy 1-0s all the way, of course.

Our defence is superb and has been since November so unless we go mental at the back I'm not going to worry. There is enough elsewhere in the team to pop up with a goal or two. I think we'll win it now. I think it might be wrapped up before the final game or two as well.

[Davgooner]

You better keep winning. You're all that's standing between the world and a footballing apocalypse.

[Max Power]

Sources tell me that winning games 1-0 and/or when you're not playing well is the sign of champions.

Away to Palace is a game I hate, our record isn't as bad there as I thought but it just reeks of disappointment.

[Reg]

Someone on Football Weekly mentioned the possibility of a Watford-Leicester community shield. :drool:

[Lee]

At least it would make Danny Mills kill himself.

[Lewis]

'We've spoken to people who have killed themselves...'

[Shindig]

Season defining derby for once. Harrowing.

[Ian]

Sunday's a cracker.

Which foreign games are looking entertaining?

Or do you love Narrative?

[GS]

Lord Benitez winning 3-0 would be an acceptable takeaway this weekend, alongside the Leicester victory everybody is hoping for.

[CJay]

Which foreign games are looking entertaining?

Or do you love Narrative?

Knowing Reg, probably the mid-table battle of Milan and Lazio on Sunday evening.

[Reg]

Which foreign games are looking entertaining?

Or do you love Narrative?
No foreign games. Newcastle v Sunderland and the Manchester derby.

Edit- just seen Torino v Juventus but it clashes.

[Ian]

Aren't the two games tomorrow liable to be, y'know, sort of terrible?

If City have anything about them they'll fuck United to death which I suppose has a certain morbid appeal but even last week when Sky were giving it the WHAT A WEEKEND WE HAVE AHEAD stuff I didn't think either game looked like actually being good.

[Lee]

City don't really have anything about them though. The north east derby is always shit from a quality point of view but there's usually some entertainment in it. Today's games look decent. Everton-Arsenal should have goals, I'll stream Palace-Leicester and just spend the middle part of the afternoon shitting my pants, and I think Swansea-Villa could be quite good. The best looking game of the weekend is Spurs-Bournemouth and that isn't on.

[SincereTheRebel]

Burnley really is a strange place

[Reg]

Aren't the two games tomorrow liable to be, y'know, sort of terrible?

If City have anything about them they'll fuck United to death which I suppose has a certain morbid appeal but even last week when Sky were giving it the WHAT A WEEKEND WE HAVE AHEAD stuff I didn't think either game looked like actually being good.
As Lee says, derby games are often fun if not the best quality. You could argue it's a straight shootout between Newcastle and Sunderland to take 18th, so it couldn't get much more meaningful. Interested to see how Benitez does too.

Man City are only 4 points above Man Utd so they aren't much better.

[Disco]

The prospect of Allardici lolling the Benitez beard off makes it worth watching.

[Giggles]

All aboard the Big Sam train.

[niko_cee]

Is John "£40m" Stones not getting a game for Everton at the moment or is he coming back from injury or something?

Hopefully this is a Sanchez inspired fisting.

[Waffdon]

He's been awful and Funes Mori/Jagielka look far better together.

[Jeet]

Owens talking about pens and staying on your feet.....

[Danny]

Champions league gone, FA Cup gone and Prem all but gone. Look who decides to show up.

[Jeet]

Nice goal by Martial...I mean Iwobi.

[Waffdon]

Champions league gone, FA Cup gone and Prem all but gone. Look who decides to show up.

THE ARSENAL.

Martinez needs sacked.

[Max Power]

Arsenal have been very good but Everton are a joke team. FRAUDberto FRAUDtinez surely to get the sack in the summer? Unless they win the Cup of course.

[John Arne]

It's about time someone gave Giroud a good smack. Just take the red.

[Waffdon]

Arsenal have been very good but Everton are a joke team. FRAUDberto FRAUDtinez surely to get the sack in the summer? Unless they win the Cup of course.

Should be sacked regardless. They should be challenging top four with this squad and even more so from next season with their new billionaire owner

[GS]

His teams are incapable of defending properly. He was denounced for this at Wigan, but the general line of support was that "it's Wigan, keeping them up is a miracle". He's turned a perfectly solid Everton team under Moyes into one which leaks goals. They've conceded the most home goals in the entire league this season, for fuck sake. It's embarrassing.

[-james-]

It does have a bit of a 'bad run incoming on FM' sort of feel about it but we haven't really looked like losing any of those games. We certainly could have beaten Watford more comfortably. Norwich was bad, and Newcastle was a bit nervy if anything but again we probably could have won that more comfortably. I'll take scrappy 1-0s all the way, of course.

Our defence is superb and has been since November so unless we go mental at the back I'm not going to worry. There is enough elsewhere in the team to pop up with a goal or two. I think we'll win it now. I think it might be wrapped up before the final game or two as well.


You've fucked it now.

[niko_cee]

Win the Cup and finish midtable is a good season for Everton. It's probably preferable to be high scoring and unable to defend as well, from a fans perspective.

[Waffdon]

Fack offffff, Mahrez. Some ball from Drinkwater for that sitter.

[John Arne]

Leicester look very ordinary here. Palace will score soon.

[Waffdon]

Nice, mate.

Not sure if that was a shot or cross from Vardy but MON

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

TTH's jinxing powers are second to none.

[John Arne]

Fucking quality timing.

[Waffdon]

Soure's getting sent off for sure.

[CJay]

Win the Cup and finish midtable is a good season for Everton. It's probably preferable to be high scoring and unable to defend as well, from a fans perspective.

Aye, and for all the fraud comments - is it even that good a team? Lukaku and a load of inconsistent youngsters and big club rejects. That might be Martinez's fault, but it's not really a better team than any of the others from top 4 down. Of course, they have thrown a huge number of points away from good positions, so that is probably when Martinez should be called out, not after losing 2-0 to Arsenal.

[Lee]

That will do. We've been the better side in that half, one decent chance for Palace and a couple of wobbles against crosses aside. 'Mon.

[CJay]

Although in a season where Leicester are going to win the title and West Ham are going to qualify for the Champions League... Martinez out!

[John Arne]

That will do. We've been the better side in that half, one decent chance for Palace and a couple of wobbles against crosses aside. 'Mon.

You think so? I thought you lot were terrible, and very lucky to be ahead. Sign of champions, don't you know.

[Shindig]

Norwich winning. Do not like.

[Byron]

Fucking bullshit refereeing there.

[Lee]

You think so? I thought you lot were terrible, and very lucky to be ahead. Sign of champions, don't you know.

We were fine all game. Text book stuff. People watch us and they can't match our style of play with our league position. We sit back, cede possession, let the opponents have half chances. The passing can be bad because we often go for high risk balls in order to set up the quick counter.

It's ugly, it's fucking stressful, but all these 1-0s aren't just a fluke. Things have changed a bit because teams are sitting back against us. It's frustrating because as Leicester fans we've become used to the high scoring exploits of the earlier part of the season. But Ranieri knows what he's doing. Even when we are sitting so deep our opponents aren't committing men forward because of our attack on the counter. Three wins and a draw to go........

[CJay]

To be fair, this is pretty much how Chelsea closed out the league last season.

[Lee]

To be fair, this is pretty much how Chelsea closed out the league last season.

It is. It's all about points now and we're getting them. Now for Bournemouth to do us a favour tomorrow. Leicester City top of the league (by at least five points) at Easter. Fuck me.

[niko_cee]

Ah Wolves, you beautiful bastards.

:cool:

Leicester's next 4: Soton (H), Sunderland (A), West Ham (H), Swansea (H)

Spurs' next 4: Bournemouth (H), Liverpool (A), Man United (H), Stoke (A)

That's Liverpool's most important remaining game by quite a long distance. Getting to the point where it is Leicester's to lose. Madness. They'll probably maintain the 8 points and then lose the last 3.

[Giggles]

I've just slept for the last few hours but that's nice to wake up to after fearing the worst with Arsenal winning.

[Max Power]

I really believe we're gonna do it. We just look so solid.

Will be shitting my pants by the time April 3rd comes around but still...

[leedsrevolution]

I think Magic was at the Leeds game today, so lol at that.

[Giggles]

I think Magic was at the Leeds game today, so lol at that.

:D Lol indeed.

[Kikó]

Magic :lol:

[John Arne]

We were fine all game. Text book stuff. People watch us and they can't match our style of play with our league position. We sit back, cede possession, let the opponents have half chances. The passing can be bad because we often go for high risk balls in order to set up the quick counter.


I'm not having a dig - but you most certainly weren't "fine all game". Palace had 2 or 3 very good opportunities in the first half, and should have taken one of them - Fuchs looked a bit lost at times.
Credit though - second half you were a lot tighter and deserved the win in the end.

[Waffdon]

Fuchs was probably the best player on the park.

[John Arne]

Not a Fuching chance :groove:

[Lee]

I'm not having a dig - but you most certainly weren't "fine all game". Palace had 2 or 3 very good opportunities in the first half, and should have taken one of them - Fuchs looked a bit lost at times.
Credit though - second half you were a lot tighter and deserved the win in the end.

I'm not taking it as a dig, I just disagree. They had one decent chance in the first half which is the one Schmeichel had to save from Bolasie. We had three; the goal, Mahrez's one on one just before, and Albrighton's just after. We were better in the first half than we were in the second, albeit there was a five or ten minute spell in the first half when they caused a bit of trouble down our left hand side. We were comfortable throughout though.

Even in the second half we had the only real chance. Okazaki should have scored from the throw from Fuchs. Delaney's shot at the end was the closest they got after the break but that was never going in. Top of the bar job; just look at Schmeichel's reaction to it. It was a proper away performance.

[Giggles]

It's stinging so bad.

[Lee]

I can't wait for everyone to start calling us the worst champions ever, :drool:

[Lewis]

Everyone (including Merse) knows that Blackburn are the worst champions ever. Second worst, maybe.

[Samadini]

That Norwich result is sickening.

For fucks sake.

[Lee]

Norwich are proper shit. I'd prefer them to stay up and send both Newcastle and Sunderland down but it won't happen.

[Max Power]

I can't wait for everyone to start calling us the worst champions ever, :drool:
The league is shit. They ain't played anyone yet. They're doping. They're lucky. What about the coeffiecient next year? They might struggle next year? What about possession stats?????

Fuck em all. We're gonna win the league.

[Giggles]

Brady seems to be turning into quite a decent PL standard player. Never Utd standard and his delivery is normally awful but he definitely should get a move should they drop.

[Lee]

The league is shit. They ain't played anyone yet. They're doping. They're lucky. What about the coeffiecient next year? They might struggle next year? What about possession stats?????

Fuck em all. We're gonna win the league.

Hopefully we'll do it with horrible 1-0 wins too.

[Giggles]

Hopefully we'll do it with horrible 1-0 wins too.

:drool:

[Waffdon]

https://twitter.com/UpTheStakes/status/711229264826392576

how the fuck do I embed?

[Max Power]

Hopefully we'll do it with horrible 1-0 wins too.

With 10% possession.

[Giggles]

https://twitter.com/UpTheStakes/status/711229264826392576

how the fuck do I embed?

711229264826392576

EDIT: Also, lol.

[Waffdon]

You have to do it in caps? Sheeeeeeeeeesh

[Lewis]

You would think Leicester could enjoy it without having to invent a victim complex.

[Max Power]

You would think Leicester could enjoy it without having to invent a victim complex.
I know you won't believe us

[Giggles]

You have to do it in caps? Sheeeeeeeeeesh

Don't think it needs to be caps, you just need to put the numbers at the end of the tweet link in tweet tags. Full link won't work.

[Giggles]

Kevin Campbell is on Premier League Central. I don't think I've laid eyes on him since he was playing.

[Giggles]

I didn't realise that it was so late into last season that Leicester made their run. They were practically buried this time last year.

[Multi]

Do we have a Wenger thread? Or is every thread a Wenger thread? Reading football sites and the consensus seems to be shifting on his position.

[Jeet]

Do we have a Wenger thread? Or is every thread a Wenger thread?

Depends what week it is, becomes a WengerOut thread then WengerIn.

[Shindig]

Wengerin sounds like a medication for your eyesight.

[Davgooner]

Superb from The Arsenal today.

If I had the wings of a sparrow...

:rave:

[Samadini]

You would think Leicester could enjoy it without having to invent a victim complex.

Really a bit odd since everyone has been riding them hard all season.

[phonics]

I know shirt pulling isn't often punished but to end up literally no longer wearing a shirt after a corner, you might have a case.

[Max Power]

Really a bit odd since everyone has been riding them hard all season.

I dunno I've read a load of right nonsense over the course of the season.

I think it's just easier being the team that no-one cares about tbh. It's uncomfortable having neutrals rooting for you. Digging up all the HATERZ makes the whole thing easier for a lot of people I think.

[Waffdon]

You boys are going to win it by 8+ points, assuming you don't throw the last couple of games when the league is finished.

[niko_cee]

There will have to be some epic quotes to be dug up on the matter.

I'm sure I've typed out numerous 'it'll never last' ditties over the season but never pulled the trigger on one (although I probably have at some point). Foresight.

[Giggles]

In fairness, it only seems the Liverpool lot who are really bitter about it.

[Waffdon]

Three home games in their next four with Sunderland being the away game. EZ

[GS]

I've made about three such statements, fully expecting to be right each time. I'm thrilled that I've been wrong, but it is difficult to believe that it's actually going to happen. It would be comfortably the best thing I've ever seen in a footballing context.

[Samadini]

Fabregas is such a little rat.

[GS]

He's also second rate, which renders his smugness inappropriate.

[Giggles]

What did he do? Is that just about him looking for the ball after the penalty?

[Giggles]

?

http://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/manchester-united-will-have-to-pay-jose-mourinho-a-huge-amount-of-money-if-they-dont-make-him-manager/70614

[Angelsaint]

I have to admit that even for me, by far the one that understand more of football around here, it's s total surprise seeing Leicester so near the title in the final part of the season.

[Byron]

Agent Mendes strikes again.

[Angelsaint]

What he did now?
I guess it is the average youngster from Porto he is trying to hype since he was 16. Was he?
Can't find nothing on Google.

[Byron]

I'm assuming from Giggles' story that Mendes is Mourinho's agent, so managed to stick that massive penalty clause in his contract.

[Lee]

I'm looking forward to the football today. Two derbies followed by Real Madrid-Sevilla. Keeping half an eye on Spurs-Bournemouth too.

[Angelsaint]

I'm assuming from Giggles' story that Mendes is Mourinho's agent, so managed to stick that massive penalty clause in his contract.

This clauses are normal since the days of Figo backstabbing Barcelona.

[Angelsaint]

Now that I think about it, I thing Figogate was the turning point from being a lovely club to turn into the despising money grabber whining babies they are now.

[niko_cee]

Not really sure why United would bother with that kind of deal. Who would they fear losing Mourinho to? Sounds total BS.

[randomlegend]

I might be wrong, but 'sportsjoe.ie' sounds about as reliable as tribalfootball.

[Lee]

I'm not really sure why Souness watches football, he clearly hates it.

[Lee]

Now he thinks Newcastle and Sunderland are in the bottom three because there aren't enough 'men' in their sides. What if every side was packed with these 'men'? Somebody would still be bottom. Twat. The reason they're where they are is because they're shit.

[John Arne]

Captain Flanagan :drool:

[Foe]

Benitez has already had on victory in realising he needs to drop Taylor.

[Luke Emia]

A very pleasant start already. who would have thought making Flanagan skipper would have such an impact.

[Baz]

Origi :cool:

[Lee]

Destroying Southampton's confidence before they come to Leicester in a couple of weeks would be good.

[Disco]

Defoe could have won this already, he's getting so much space in the box.

[Disco]

Jefoe :cool:

[Lewis]

Survival Sam had better have a dismissive hand gesture prepared for 2-0.

[Foe]

No way colback is lasting 90 minutes here.

He's either getting sent off or taken off.

[leedsrevolution]

Defoe should really be playing for England still. He's better than Rooney and Welbeck for a start.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Souness likes talking about men.

[Lewis]

I think he just hates North East football (and possibly the North East generally) rather than football.

[Giggles]

I might be wrong, but 'sportsjoe.ie' sounds about as reliable as tribalfootball.

Hence posting the ? alongside the link. As always, all stories can be taken with a grain of salt until the BBC reports them.

[Boydy]

Bollocks, I thought the Liverpool match wasn't on until later. I've missed the first 50 minutes.

[Shindig]

This is damning. No goals, no hope. It'll be sealed against Norwich.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Serj]

Skrtel on for Lovren has made the Liverpool defence incredibly shaky. Neither of Can and Allen is a proper holding midfielder either, and they hardly ever get proper spells of possession anymore due to not really playing well out of the back. Maybe take off Sturridge for a midfielder.

EDIT: Well, or bring on Benteke. Not sure that's going to help though.

[Magic]

Dundee. :harold:

[Andy]

This referee is terrible.

Should have been a penalty at the start, gave a questionable penalty to even it up and then Mignolet makes a great save which he doesn't spot, ends with a Livepool goal kick and we score seconds later. Ridiculous.

[Andy]

Liverpool are going to regret taking their foot off the gas at 2-0. It shouldn't even be a contest given the opportunities squandered.

You'll get a third, it'll be the same as the cup game. We push for a goal and you'll pick us off.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Smiffy]

.....

[Kikó]

No Fellaini :)

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was a great ball in by George.

[Shindig]

Gerr'in!

[Serj]

Not surprising at all. Great finish by Pelle, though.

[Magic]

You seemed as though you were on your holidays in the first half which is bonkers considering where you are in the league.

This has 2-2 written all over it in my mind but I'd like to be wrong given the fixture later on.

:)

[Smiffy]

.....

[John Arne]

Rubbish. Sakho just doesn't get close enough. We should have buried this in the first half.

[Danny]

We are gonna get bummed this afternoon but this is nice to see first.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Liverpool :harold:

[Serj]

Jesus. That defending. Sell Mignolet and Skrtel. :face: Sakho has also turned to shit ever since half-time.

[GS]

I would say I'm surprised, but alas no. When we collapse, we collapse in spectacular fashion.

Reboot the graph. There's much to do in the summer.

[John Arne]

Jesus fucking Christ.... learn to fucking kick the ball you cunt, Mignolet.

[GS]

Jesus fucking Christ.... learn to fucking kick the ball you cunt, Mignolet.

It remains imperative that we replace this chancer in the summer, as he simply isn't up to the job over the course of a season.

[Magic]

By the way that shite yesterday was the worst game I've seen at ER. Stayed to the end as well. 30k turn out for that. Fuck off Cellinom

[John Arne]

It remains imperative that we replace this chancer in the summer, as he simply isn't up to the job over the course of a season.

Indeed. I'm still baffled as to why we recently gave him a 5 year contract.

[Smiffy]

.....

[Shindig]

This match is going to fizz out.

[GS]

Indeed. I'm still baffled as to why we recently gave him a 5 year contract.

It's an odd one.

He must know he's shit, so I trust he feels the requisite amount of shame at scamming a living out of the club in the manner he is.

[Serj]

No plan B there in the last minutes. Not a single player going wide to attempt a cross into the box. :cab: That second half was an absolute clusterfuck.

[Kikó]

Liverpool offers light relief before we get slapped today.

[Giggles]

What a beautiful day that turned out to be :)

[Lewis]

Liverpool are going to regret taking their foot off the gas at 2-0. It shouldn't even be a contest given the opportunities squandered.

Was it 2-0 or 2-1 when you posted this?

[ScousePig]

I'd have taken that at the start, but don't think it will be enough.

Don't be so simplistic Lee. Teams are often at the bottom because they have shit players. That's not the case with Sunderland and Newcastle; they both have squads and teams capable of being in the middle of the table.

[Lee]

Come on Bournemouth.

[Ian]

I might need to start attending church so that United aren't consistently the worst thing about my Sunday.

[Lee]

I'd have taken that at the start, but don't think it will be enough.

Don't be so simplistic Lee. Teams are often at the bottom because they have shit players. That's not the case with Sunderland and Newcastle; they both have squads and teams capable of being in the middle of the table.

Whatever the reason it isn't because you aren't manly enough. And who said shit players? The teams at the bottom have been the shittest teams.

[Lee]

Fuck off Kane.

[Lewis]

When you say 'teams capable of being in the middle of the table', you mean fifteenth rather than tenth, right?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Rashford :drool:

What a fucking hero.

[Lewis]

That was composed.

[Lee]

Nice goal.

[Ian]

Tidy, that. He almost did Demichelis with a similar move before.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

He absolutely roasted Demichelis.

[Max Power]

Demichelis is a right laugh. Coolly done by Rashford though

[Lee]

Harry Kane is quality. Watch him turn to shit for England in the summer.

[Giggles]

Harry Kane is quality. Watch him turn to shit for England in the summer.

They are so blessed he hasn't picked up a knock at all so far. Not having even one other striker is madness.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

I thought all this spaffing was about Southampton equalising, didn't realise they got a winner. :harold:

[Lewis]

Michael Carrick loitering ten yards behind Morgan Schneiderlin exposes both of them.

[Boydy]

They are so blessed he hasn't picked up a knock at all so far. Not having even one other striker is madness.

#blessed

[Ian]

Demichelis has got away with one there.

Rashford's got him shitting the bed all over the place.

[Lewis]

If that isn't a penalty (it was) why hasn't he booked him for diving?

[Giggles]

#blessed

#whatnow?

[Foe]

That's a stone wall penalty there.

Demichelis is having a mare here.

[Kikó]

Oliver is a shite ref.

[ScousePig]

Whatever the reason it isn't because you aren't manly enough. And who said shit players? The teams at the bottom have been the shittest teams.

I said shit players. Anyone from Bournemouth down could have been in the bottom three now.

[ScousePig]

When you say 'teams capable of being in the middle of the table', you mean fifteenth rather than tenth, right?

West Brom are 11th and they have one of the weakest squads in the league. Have you seen the bottom half? There's only Everton (the fuck's going on there by the way?) that are much better than us two.

[mugbull]

Demichelis injuring Hart by proxy. What a shit defensive performance by the man

[phonics]

Timmy Howards gone to Colorado Rapids.

[mugbull]

West Brom are 11th and they have one of the weakest squads in the league. Have you seen the bottom half? There's only Everton (the fuck's going on there by the way?) that are much better than us two.

What are you talking about? What Sunderland players make them a better side than the ones around them?

[Max Power]

Pellegrini disgracefully ending the banter with that sub

[Giggles]

Just basked in some highlights from earlier. Is 'Flanno' normally better than that or is he a folk hero at the club by virtue of not playing much and therefore building up a bit of a myth?

[Magic]

Demi. :D

Sounded hilarious on the radio then injuring Hart. :cool:

[Smiffy]

.....

[Lewis]

West Brom are 11th and they have one of the weakest squads in the league. Have you seen the bottom half? There's only Everton (the fuck's going on there by the way?) that are much better than us two.

They have an actual team though. Sunderland might have a few individuals that would walk into the sides above them, but they also have an unbalanced jumble of shit undermining what little quality they possess.

[Lewis]

Speaking of which, 'LvG' has produced some belting 'we've had a good hour' substitutions here.

[Ian]

Hopefully we get to see another full-back sub. It's what I live for.

[Lewis]

Jose Mourinho only wants to manage United so that he can work with Antonio Valencia.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Darmian is made of glass.

[Ian]

:rave:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Look at all the wankers leave :drool:

[CJay]

City are a joke. They will not finish in the top 4.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Man City :harold:

Fourth is in the bag for West Ham.

[Lewis]

'LvG' loves a big game. 3-0 Everton.

[Reg]

That game petered out and City looked half hearted, but the first half was good. Rashford has got it.

[Giggles]

One for Jimmy.

711382994246897664

[Lewis]

Quit tonight, lad. SEETHING.

[leedsrevolution]

Anyone watching this MLS game? It's a right laugh. Only been watching ten minutes and seen a goal a red card and a free kick that hit both posts and rolled into keepers arms.

[randomlegend]

Did Chinny ever post on the new forum? He's a big miss at times like this.

[Disco]

Anyone watching this MLS game? It's a right laugh. Only been watching ten minutes and seen a goal a red card and a free kick that hit both posts and rolled into keepers arms.

If it's New England vs Philly then yes.

The keeper just injured himself tripping up his own defender.

[Kikó]

Van Gaal is the man. Give him one more year and a DoF.

[leedsrevolution]

If it's New England vs Philly then yes.

The keeper just injured himself tripping up his own defender.

Missed penalty now. Do I stick with this or go onto the Real Madrid game.

[Jimmy Floyd]

The first bloke who they let out of the madhouse onto 606 tonight was a City fan who claimed that Mister Pellegrino is 'sabotaging' the team because of how bitter he is about being sacked. So much irony wrapped into one bollocks opinion.

[Lewis]

Do Madrid always play that lol goal music?

[Disco]

I've gone for Madrid but whatever channel I'm streaming (bein HD) has possibly the worst commentary ever, an American and a rather too excitable geordie.

[Reg]

The first bloke who they let out of the madhouse onto 606 tonight was a City fan who claimed that Mister Pellegrino is 'sabotaging' the team because of how bitter he is about being sacked. So much irony wrapped into one bollocks opinion.
Daniel Taylor wrote a good article on City which pointed out that everyone's been making the connection between the Pep announcement and their form, when in actual fact they've been relatively crap since winning the first five games.

[Disco]

This is great, he's like an orgasmic Sid Waddell.

http://soccerembed.com/watch-real-madrid-live-stream

[Gray Fox]

Couldn't watch today, but was listening. By the sounds of it bringing Skrtel on completely ruined us. Mignolet still can't kick and Benteke is still useless.

Is that far from the truth?

Still, the City fan at work, who bullishly declared the league already over and Citys to lose, after 3 games of the season, shall be taking a pasting tomorrow.

[CJay]

This is great, he's like an orgasmic Sid Waddell.

http://soccerembed.com/watch-real-madrid-live-stream

Ustream streams seem to go down every 5 minutes. :moop:

[Lewis]

Just like your mum!

[ScousePig]

What are you talking about? What Sunderland players make them a better side than the ones around them?

Where did I say we are better than the teams around us? I said we're capable of being anywhere up to mid-table. It's not fucking rocket science.

[ScousePig]

They have an actual team though. Sunderland might have a few individuals that would walk into the sides above them, but they also have an unbalanced jumble of shit undermining what little quality they possess.

They just managed to string a few more results together. I agree with your assessment of Sunderland, but they're no worse than the shit around them.

[Disco]

Ustream streams seem to go down every 5 minutes. :moop:

Happily this one has stayed up all game (for me at least).

[Davgooner]

Sevilla have had a good few minutes there.

[mugbull]

Where did I say we are better than the teams around us? I said we're capable of being anywhere up to mid-table. It's not fucking rocket science.

Rock-bottom Leicester are capable of winning the league a year on, so I suppose you're right...

[Shindig]

There's a lot of mid-tier teams that could be interchangeable. Hell, we (Newcastle & Sunderland) happen to win our next games, it tightens things right up again.

[mugbull]

It's a pointless statement, Sunderland and Newcastle have been performing way worse than most of the teams above them. Saying they're capable of being mid table is like saying i'm capable of becoming a woman. Its true, but the signs point towards nahh

[Giggles]

For once MotD2 is on at normal time.

[Magic]

It's not a pointless statement at all. A lot of this season has been luck driven. Far more so than others. The cream has not risen to the top. I get what he means.

[Kikó]

How was that not a blatant penalty?

[Giggles]

The cheek of Sturridge pulling shapes and he stealing a living.

[Giggles]

If Benny was right about nothing else, he was bang on about Kane.

[Danny]

I've gone for Madrid but whatever channel I'm streaming (bein HD) has possibly the worst commentary ever, an American and a rather too excitable geordie.

Ray Hudson and he's a shower of shite

[Waffdon]

Absolutely cunted. Love he derby x

[ScousePig]

There's a lot of mid-tier teams that could be interchangeable. Hell, we (Newcastle & Sunderland) happen to win our next games, it tightens things right up again.

It's funny how people's opinion would change if one of us (or Norwich) managed to win a few in a row and overtake some of those right above us. I think it goes back to the old concept of 'the table never lies', which I've always regarded as nonsense. There's three points between 11th and 15th; you don't suddenly become a 'five places in the league better side' by winning one game.

[ScousePig]

It's a pointless statement, Sunderland and Newcastle have been performing way worse than most of the teams above them. Saying they're capable of being mid table is like saying i'm capable of becoming a woman. Its true, but the signs point towards nahh

Stop being dense.

[Giggles]

It's funny how people's opinion would change if one of us (or Norwich) managed to win a few in a row and overtake some of those right above us. I think it goes back to the old concept of 'the table never lies', which I've always regarded as nonsense. There's three points between 11th and 15th; you don't suddenly become a 'five places in the league better side' by winning one game.

But it's not one game though. In 15th's (Swansea's) case it'd be 10 wins, 9 draws, and 13 defeats. It's a long season and the table doesn't lie.

[Josh]

Proper little mini-meltdown from Scousepig here. Yes mate, Sunderland should be 15th and M'Vila would walk into most premier league side.

[John Arne]

You'll find M'Vila is off to Barca in the summer. He's that good.

[Lee]

I take the point that it's tight in the middle. But Sunderland are miles behind the middle and have been all season. They may not end up relegated and if they stay up they'll deserve it (that's how a league works). But there's not really any debate about them being one of the worst four teams so far this season.

[Kikó]

What about the pre assist league or have you considered the possession league?

[phonics]

Sunderland, who have narrowly avoided relegation on the last day for nearly half a decade now are easily a midtable team.

[Josh]

They got M'Vila m8

[leedsrevolution]

Sunderland are fucking shit and if you think otherwise you're deluded.

[Kikó]

They've got M'Vila.

[ScousePig]

But it's not one game though. In 15th's (Swansea's) case it'd be 10 wins, 9 draws, and 13 defeats. It's a long season and the table doesn't lie.

The table doesn't lie? Oh dear.

And lol Josh. When you learn to read I might reply properly.

[GS]

The table 'doesn't lie' over 38 games, no.

Sunderland are where they deserve to be right now. They have better players than the position they're in, but this is irrelevant when said players can't win games.

[ScousePig]

I take the point that it's tight in the middle. But Sunderland are miles behind the middle and have been all season. They may not end up relegated and if they stay up they'll deserve it (that's how a league works). But there's not really any debate about them being one of the worst four teams so far this season.

You're right about everything except us being 'miles behind the middle'. Of course we'd deserve to go down if we do (and we probably will), but the idea that 17th are always better than 18th, and 18th always better than 19th etc. is such a simplistic view. We once jumped something like four places on the final day. We didn't suddenly go from being the 14th best side in the league to the 10th. It just meant that's where we finished.

[Disco]

You're right about everything except us being 'miles behind the middle'. Of course we'd deserve to go down if we do (and we probably will), but the idea that 17th are always better than 18th, and 18th always better than 19th etc. is such a simplistic view. We once jumped something like four places on the final day. We didn't suddenly go from being the 14th best side in the league to the 10th. It just meant that's where we finished.

That's literally what you did.

[GS]

You're right about everything except us being 'miles behind the middle'. Of course we'd deserve to go down if we do (and we probably will), but the idea that 17th are always better than 18th, and 18th always better than 19th etc. is such a simplistic view. We once jumped something like four places on the final day. We didn't suddenly go from being the 14th best side in the league to the 10th. It just meant that's where we finished.

It only requires a simplistic view because it's a very simple concept.

[ScousePig]

Sunderland have a side that's capable of being up with the likes of West Brom, Bournemouth and Watford. It's pretty straightforward what I'm getting at lads, try not to over-think it.

[ScousePig]

That's literally what you did.

We didn't, and no amount of debate will make me think otherwise.

[leedsrevolution]

What a nightmare this is. The table doesn't lie after 38 games. But if you finish 19th and want to believe your truthful position is 10th or whatever go for it.

[leedsrevolution]

Sunderland have a side that's capable of being up with the likes of West Brom, Bournemouth and Watford. It's pretty straightforward what I'm getting at lads, try not to over-think it.

We get it, you think Sunderland are better than they are. Now go and wank yourself silly over a poster of John o Shea or something.

[ScousePig]

What a nightmare this is. The table doesn't lie after 38 games. But if you finish 19th and want to believe your truthful position is 10th or whatever go for it.

Cheers mate.

[SvN]

I wonder if Sunderland can appeal relegation at the end of the season due to their false position.

[ScousePig]

I actually think we're good enough for the Europa at least, but didn't want to push my luck.

[Reg]

What a rubbish page. Scouse makes a decent point and it descends into "M'Vila lol".

[GS]

Those players have accrued less than a point a game, so maybe they're not as good as you seem to think. Certainly their results - you know, actual tangible evidence of performance - suggest as much.

[Disco]

We didn't, and no amount of debate will make me think otherwise.

Well then you're being silly.

In your own example; after 37 games you were the 14th best team in the league. After 38 games you were the 10th best team in the league. There's no other conclusion to be drawn.

[Giggles]

Sunderland have a side that's capable of being up with the likes of West Brom, Bournemouth and Watford. It's pretty straightforward what I'm getting at lads, try not to over-think it.

This three have more points though and if they still have more at the end of the season it's because Sunderland were in fact, not capable of being up with them.

[Giggles]

What a rubbish page. Scouse makes a decent point and it descends into "M'Vila lol".

He's made nothing near a decent point. Sunderland are where they are because they're not good enough to be higher. If they finish higher then it'll mean they've got better or someone above them has got worse. Currently they're where they belong because that's where they are.

[Baz]

Maybe we should scrap the points system and just judge the final league table on who's played the nicest.