February Football: The (Not A) Ho Chi Minh Special

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Originally Posted by John Arne

V.League season starts this week.

So far my club have not released new jerseys, sold any season tickets, or even bothered announcing the fixtures.

At the end of last season, we released 80% of our first team players, and have since replaced them with players from the second division.

We are getting relegated.

Looking forward to @Ian's preview in the Feb football thread.

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Sorry JA, I was gonna do something about Ho Chi Minh but there is perhaps unsurprisingly not a huge amount to be found online (in English at least, based on my Googling) about their current travails.

Anyway, it's February, and the proceedings start off with gallant little Manchester United's crusade to thwart the evil Saudi-funded Newcastle in the Worthington Cup and then on Friday we get to see Chelsea try and fit their 372 new players into the one team and then later in the month the return of European football too.

Genuinely can’t wait to see how Sean Dyche’s 442 Brexit ball works out at Everton. I think he’ll do well with them.

Tony Marshall :cool:

Given the way that the fixtures are piling up, this is too strong a team for a second leg when you are already 3-0 up.

Yeah I thought it was too strong a starting eleven and I certainly wouldn't have brought Rashford on with the game still 3-0.

Andre Ayew back in the prem? Fuck off :D

This "16 year old" fuck is gonna end the sport.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fn6gBkzW...jpg&name=large

He's banging on FM too.

Get your Warren Zaire-Emery name: the name of the second most senior person in the accounts department at your company, the name of your favourite defunct nation state, and the manager who won the UEFA Cup the year you were born.

Gordon Rhodesia-Bengtsson.

Kiko being a Rhodesia guy would be some turn up.

Martin Central African Republic Kessler.

Well the second part of my double-barrelled surname would be Molowny who I've never heard of before now.

Something Something-Robson for me.

According to wiki England (927–1707) is a former/defunct nation state.

Kristina Soviet-Zoff :cool:

Mason Greenwood charges dropped. Hope we can sell him rapidly.

Awkward legal position for United, he's technically done nothing wrong (presumably) but there is nevertheless audio of him basically commanding a woman to have sex with him.

I'm sure the Saudis will take him.

What is the difference between the charges levelled at Greenwood versus Partey? Partey seems to be getting on with things as if nothing has happened.

It's a shame his outing as a shite footballer will be put down to this and not on the fact he's shite.

There’s video evidence and audio of him abusing her lol. Even with the charges dropped he still hits woman.

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Originally Posted by John Arne

What is the difference between the charges levelled at Greenwood versus Partey? Partey seems to be getting on with things as if nothing has happened.

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Partey hasn't been charged.

Hopefully we just terminate the cunt's contract.

I'm not sure that they could without paying him off, which they won't want to do. Did the woman he filled in take a bribe, or has the daft bint got back with him?

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Originally Posted by Kikó

Partey hasn't been charged.

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Has he not? His bail has been extended until July.

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

There’s video evidence and audio of him abusing her lol. Even with the charges dropped he still hits woman.

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Sounds like some kink

Aubameyang left out the CL squad :lol:

Potter must hate him. They could have just unregistered their 3rd choice keeper and put a Dev Squad ‘keeper on the ‘B’ list.

From how Potter's used him, I would guess he has a terrible attitude.

Another dreadful Thomas Tuchel signing.

Badiashile, Andrey Santos, Fofana, Malo Gusto and Noni Madueke also left out.

Edit: I hadn't seen that Gusto went back to Lyon on loan.

Don't those BLM kids not need registering or something due to their age/BLM-ness?

They need to have been at the club for 2 years.

Badiashile seems a surprise decision then. Such a clusterfuck of a squad, if it leads to Potter getting fired before Xmas it'll be a shame.

Badiashile has looked good from the limited games so far, so I imagine that one just had to miss out somewhere and they think we're more likely to beat Dortmund by throwing attackers at it and playing Chalobah.

Will be interesting to see how we go tonight.

Definitely should be Badiashile over Felix.

Felix should definitely be in there. They chose the right 3 players. Koulibaly is much more suited to European football so him/fofana/Chalobah fighting it out to play with Silva makes sense.

Mudryk, Fernandez and James all starting :drool:

Enzo straight in is bold, but I guess there isn't anyone else unless you moved Mount back.

We're going to be very vulnerable at the back, can see it being 3-2 either way.

He needs to start. Not sure James does though. Last time he was out he got injured after being thrown straight back in

Listening to Howard Webb be very articulate and logical on Sky here, and seeing football twitter seethe in real time as he talks, makes me think: it's about class, isn't it? Always is, in this country. The football referee is (traditionally, currently or both) the only chance most working class people have to vent their frustrations into the face of an authority figure without censure. I don't think people, deep down, even want referees to get it right. They need them to be wrong.

Of course rugby - a recreation, not an outlet for the workers - makes a show of respecting its officials.

What is causing football twitter to seethe about Howard Webb?

Secondary question, but why are you reading Football Twitter when you could be doing something more engaging like, say, stamping on an upturned plug?

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Originally Posted by Ian

What is causing football twitter to seethe about Howard Webb?

Secondary question, but why are you reading Football Twitter when you could be doing something more engaging like, say, stamping on an upturned plug?

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Because I was curious for a broad-ish public take on what Howard Webb was saying. It's a glitch in my personality.

Chelsea’s average age minus Silva can’t be much over 23.

What was he saying, out of interest? The only referee I'm used to on telly is Peter Walton waiting to see what VAR says then going "Yeah they've got that right, for me."

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Originally Posted by Ian

What was he saying, out of interest? The only referee I'm used to on telly is Peter Walton waiting to see what VAR says then going "Yeah they've got that right, for me."

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He was explaining what VAR was for and going through various recent instances and whether they got them right or wrong. I thought it was almost Mick Lynch-esque in its simplicity and an example of good communication of a quite complex issue, but football twitter thought him a CLOWN who lacks CONSISTENCY and that Man Utd winning recently is a direct result of him being the head of referees.

Interesting, my look that up if it goes online. Would you say you agreed with him on VAR or just that he spoke very well? (Or a bit of both.)

It's good that Howard has been given the night off by Erik.

Not sure who has the worse tattoos out of Mudryk and Fernandez. Real close-fought battle.

Similar to Jim I listened to Howard Webb and was refreshed with someone talking sense.

Trying to take football back towards what people expect it to be and trying to make the referees more aware of the shithousery that’s happening so they nip it in the bud.

Clearly I’m not aligned with Twitter GP either, which is encouraging.

Tomorrow I'm entertaining myself with the Eintracht Frankfurt/Hertha Berlin fixture. Must win for Frankfurt if they want Champions League football while the latter are in drop trouble at the bottom.

Mount/Gallagher have no right to ever play in a midfield 3. Leave the midfield so open.

Jorginho to Fernandez is an unbelievably massive upgrade, based on these 25 minutes.

Still haven't solved the problem that our centre forward is not a centre forward and he's about as good back to goal as I am.

67% possession for one shot. :D

That was special from Ziyech.

Our worst player, and this is almost always the case when he plays, is Cucurella. Not a prayer getting Mudryk into the game if he's his wingman.

Fernandez looking like a don. Can’t wait for him to have Kante or whoever they sign in the summer next to him.

Get big Chuk on.

Fulham the better team so far, all of their joy behind the Spaniard who hates defending. No idea why Willian isn't shooting on the big chance.

I'd say we need Sterling and Chilwell on if they're anywhere close to being fit. Fernandez looks streets ahead of everyone already.

Not sure Madueke on the left makes sense when he is primarily off the other side.

Not sure Mudryk was the issue on that flank, Graham.

Fucking Graham. At least be called Robin or something.

The biggest issue was Mount standing in his space throughout and he’s doing it again. He’s just utterly pointless.

I'm surprised Palhinha hasn't had some red cards if this game is representative, spends the whole time just diving in on people.

Watching Gallagher and Mount in midfield for the next few weeks is going to be a painful experience. Should be playing for Crystal Palace and West Ham.

How is the Chelsea squad so fifth in the league after all this money raining on it?

Gallagher just strikes me as a player who you'd see at Everton.

Because in true American style they're buying to win in four years' time, not now.

Not sure why Gallagher is on corners, hasn't got one airborne yet.

From that first half showing I'm going to take a punt on Mudryk still being on the books in 8 years time.

With five progressively worse loan spells under his belt.

Have a shot every time a corner hits the front man

It's a very hard watch, this, in the middle of a season. Against a team who offer nothing other than determined midfield jostling, we're just slow and disjointed and probably will be for the next 30-60 games. Can see several 0-0s in a row coming up.

Potter is on fraud watch. He doesn’t ever change anything. Just like for like changes every time.

Kenny Tete man of the match. Pretty pathetic from Chelsea to allow that. Toothless.

We won't score for several weeks yet. Created a bit second half but didn't strike a shot with power on a single occasion. Also missed two open goals.

Thiago Silva, Badiashile and Kepa were good.

I think a handful more signings for Chelsea and they will be set

He’s had two weeks with all his players minus Fernandez and he’s not changed anything.

Fofana should be starting ahead of Havertz, at least he isn’t blown over by the wind

Palhinha still the best midfielder in every game he plays. Absolutely class again tonight. Genuinely can't believe he's playing for Fulham.

Just an actual striker and their first 11 suddenly looks pretty good. Spending a billion quid or whatever and still starting Havertz/Felix as your centre forward is fucking tragic.

Havertz actually started looking useful once he was off the front. Madueke looks like a left footed Albert Adomah crossed with a Hackney mum on the school run. Fofana looks like a clumsier version of Dieumerci Mbokani.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Havertz actually started looking useful once he was off the front.

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Yeah, because he's a really good player. Felix is also good. They just both play a position that basically doesn't exist in football any more unless you're Bruno Fernandes. So instead they get plonked up front and are useless.

The long barren runs without a goal are a bit of a G Potter trademark at this time of year.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

It's a very hard watch, this, in the middle of a season. Against a team who offer nothing other than determined midfield jostling, we're just slow and disjointed and probably will be for the next 30-60 games. Can see several 0-0s in a row coming up.

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Also this is a remarkable take. I think for about 65 minutes, we looked the most likely to score. We've scored 10 more league goals this season, it's more a Chelsea issue than who you play against.

A side note - the way Potter used his squad during that game (James off bang on the hour, Chilwell only on for five minutes, Mudryk off at H/T) suggested to me that he is basically using the next few games as a glorified pre-season, which in turn suggests that he is 100% supported by the ownership.

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Originally Posted by thommo

Also this is a remarkable take. I think for about 65 minutes, we looked the most likely to score. We've scored 10 more league goals this season, it's more a Chelsea issue than who you play against.

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I think you played exactly as I described in this game - worked hard but bore little to no threat (De Cordova-Reid wasted a lot of great situations gifted to him by Cucurella), which is why it was frustrating that we (with all the ball) did nothing. In the reverse fixture it was different as you were just better bar a 15 minute spell.

It's petty but I really have enjoyed watching Chelsea descend into late Wenger-era mediocrity over the past few years. Waff is going to come in, get triggered and say 'Come back to me when Arsenal win the UCL; (and he will refer to it like that because he is the forums equivalent to the Chelsea Twitter user) but let's face it, COVID titles don't count.

edit: Turns out I got my years wrong and technically they still won a more real won than the actual COVID year but my larger point still applies.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I think you played exactly as I described in this game - worked hard but bore little to no threat (De Cordova-Reid wasted a lot of great situations gifted to him by Cucurella), which is why it was frustrating that we (with all the ball) did nothing. In the reverse fixture it was different as you were just better bar a 15 minute spell.

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A fair point, we wasted some opportunities with a poor final ball. But I think overall we offered more than jostling. Of course it's natural for us to sit off more away from home and allow you to take possession but we were fairly good at winning the ball high to create half-chances, especially in the first half.

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Originally Posted by phonics

It's petty but I really have enjoyed watching Chelsea descend into late Wenger-era mediocrity over the past few years. Waff is going to come in, get triggered and say 'Come back to me when Arsenal win the UCL; (and he will refer to it like that because he is the forums equivalent to the Chelsea Twitter user) but let's face it, COVID titles don't count.

edit: Turns out I got my years wrong and technically they still won a more real won than the actual COVID year but my larger point still applies.

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I’ve seen your Twitter mate. A pathetic mess.

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

I’ve seen your Twitter mate. A pathetic mess.

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Much like Chelsea these days then, eh. :henn0rz:

Meanwhile I was checking the WBA match report as my Dads there and this sentence infuriated me.

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The hosts then finally went in front on 15 minutes when, from Darnell Furlong's towel-assisted long throw, Wallace flicked on - and Diangana materialised on the line for his first goal of 2023.

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FINALLY went in front on 15 minutes?

It's like when Bryan Robson said that they were in charge of a game before the goal went in after 4 minutes.

We've basically been crap since Michael Emenalo left.

Who knew Peter Kenyon was the real brains behind the operation.

The way West Brom were going at us it's probably fair use to be honest, I was amazed both that it took them that long and that it was the only goal of the game.

Buzzing to see the Everton game tomorrow and what Dyche has up his sleeve.

Not sure what Everton fans' views on Iwobi are but I recall a period in which the gammonati pundits were praising his performances at CM and [their prodigal son] Lamps' trust in him. Lol if he thinks he's getting a look-in at CM any more. Probably been getting racist banter about his mophead to slowly give him the hint.

If I remember correctly. Sean Dyche's record vs Arsenal is 1 win, 3 draws and 12 losses.

It's the cursed early kick off slot so Everton probably smash Arsenal 3-0 for lols like when they were on a comically bad run the other season and somehow pulled 3 points out of the bag at Goodison when playing Arsenal. On paper though Dyche is apparently getting the lads running bleep tests so that shouldn't be much of a turnaround yet.

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

They just both play a position that basically doesn't exist in football any more unless you're Bruno Fernandes. So instead they get plonked up front and are useless.

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Surprised this escaped without a :happycry:

I still maintain Havertz could be good through the middle if there was any goal threat from either of the forwards either side of him, which Chelsea haven't had for years, and still don't.

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Originally Posted by Don

Buzzing to see the Everton game tomorrow and what Dyche has up his sleeve.

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Same, actually. It’s landed on a great day for me personally, which helps.

If Everton somehow win, I’m going for a long walk with Nicola Bulley until well after the Liverpool game.

She'll be in the Bahamas by now.

Arsenal haven't won at Goodison since 2017.

Used to wreck them there regularly [I recall an Eduardo inspired 6-1 or something] although I can see Everton shithousing a point today if they get a bit of luck.

Saka is an embarrassment at least once a game. Him and Rashford made of the same stuff.

Demarai Gray to come on in the 2nd half and score the winner. I’ll be there.

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Saka is an embarrassment at least once a game. Him and Rashford made of the same stuff.

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Yes what a shithouse he is getting eye gouged by Gueye. Who then did it to someone else after.

The instantaneous improvement once fat greasy Frankie got told to fuck off :drool:

Of course it’s the two Burnley boys being involved in the goal :D

Arsenal have been so shit.

Is there a bigger cunt in football than Maupay.

Zinchenko is very easy to wind up.

Arsenal’s title charge over :drool:

Chelsea getting £12m for Jorginho will be the best bit of transfer business they do. He cannot do it in the PL.

Has anyone ever done the statistics on the New Manager Bounce?

Jorginho's last 11 league finishes:

3rd
4th
4th
3rd
2nd
3rd
2nd
5th
3rd
2nd
4th

Godspeed, lads.

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Arsenal’s title charge over :drool:

Chelsea getting £12m for Jorginho will be the best bit of transfer business they do. He cannot do it in the PL.

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The best part of it is how it eases Chelsea's squad morale issues too.

These fucks really thought they could push Man City with Nketiah-Odegaard axis of shite as their attack. Get the fuck outta here.

Glad to see Nunez back in the team. Could teach Salah a thing or two about showing some desire.

I'd be confident of a result here, but then I see Goe Jomez right in the heart of defence and adjust expectations to just please at least score first. Fabinho also seems to have been taken out back and been shot in midweek.

The demise of Fabinho really is exceptional. I’d fancy Wolves to do over Liverpool here but their inability to score will cost them.

There was a piece the other day showing the minutes he has played, both in recent years and career wise. He's already played more games than an average retiring 35 year old would have.

He also hasn't had much in the way of a break at the end of a season for 3-4 years, owing to shortened seasons and international competitions.


More interestingly was Klopp saying that he got our pre-season preparation wrong and feels like we've been paying for it since.

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Originally Posted by Lewis

Has anyone ever done the statistics on the New Manager Bounce?

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I'm not sure if you're taking the piss but iirc it's a small effect and mostly regression to the mean. Manager gets sacked after unusually poor run of results, inevitable bounce that would likely have happened anyway.

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Originally Posted by Gray Fox

There was a piece the other day showing the minutes he has played, both in recent years and career wise. He's already played more games than an average retiring 35 year old would have.

He also hasn't had much in the way of a break at the end of a season for 3-4 years, owing to shortened seasons and international competitions.


More interestingly was Klopp saying that he got our pre-season preparation wrong and feels like we've been paying for it since.

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Wasn't able to secure enough PEDs.

Yeah, and they usually fix it so the new guy gets a few games against hopeless shite to kick things off.

When did Leicester get that Lyon lad? His numbers look dangerous.

Liverpool :lol:

We are so bad :D

You alright @Don?

I don't even know any more.

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Originally Posted by Baz

If Everton somehow win, I’m going for a long walk with Nicola Bulley until well after the Liverpool game.

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Cya

At least it implies you're coming back.

We've been good but really could've done with another goal before half-time.

Didn't concede in 30 whole minutes. :cool:

Can Rashford go back to being sad about injustice, please?

Casemiro choking out Will Hughes :D

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FoItdWvWQAAPSy5?format=jpg

:lol:

Conceding 3 to wolves is some effort

Casemongro. Nothing wrong with that.

Liverpool have nobody to score goals anymore. Salah is trash, the new lads are gash, and the centre mids seem to have a bet on the number of throw-ins.

We want 4, we want 4, we want 4.

Casemiro missing the final. Nice.

Don’t think so. We have Leeds x2 and Leicester before the final.

Casemiro fresh for the final. Nice.

Well, bollocks. Unless the attempted murder gets him an extra ban.

United have the two best centre-backs in the league. FACT.

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Originally Posted by Luca

Don’t think so. We have Leeds x2 and Leicester before the final.

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:drool:

Eddie Howe's favourite XI's going to wind up with 40+ appearances each, at this rate.

Absolutely pissing it. :D

Newcastle have started strongly.

Mitoma at it again.

:cool:

Funny how a concussed centre-back can throw your defence through a loop.

Gordon looked quite good actually.

Yeah, that was a pleasant surprise.

Timed it nicely to do a deep clean of my new gaff today so had my head in a toilet cleaning some next man's shit during the first half and was driving during the 2nd half. MOTD is enough to see there's no mystery to this madness.

https://img.a.transfermarkt.technolo...46530.jpg?lm=1

If the VVD and Ibou injuries continue, the geezer could well threaten Klopp's job.

I knew about the hand to wipe your arse thing, but I didn't realise you guys use your heads to clean the toilet.

https://i.redd.it/axsfvwei3dga1.jpg

Lol

That’s a great goal.

Real in the mud, mon our injuries clearing up :drool:

Idiots wasting Camavinga at left back.

I've tried to maintain (and feel like I largely have) a level of patience with Marsch at Leeds. And I certainly don't bear him any ill will, I can't fault his enthusiasm or his commitment and he seems like a nice bloke. But I think it's time for a change now. It's just not going anywhere I'm afraid.

Bielsa back?

I try not to watch too much of them, but whenever I do this City side looks a bit wank.

I feel like pep just gets bored and starts doing wacky stuff that makes his teams objectively worse at times

There was a conspiracy theory the owners were buying players like Grealish and Haaland to increase club popularity rather than fit the system, looks like it could be a factor.

I could see Pep wanting Grealish, but never in a million years Haaland. He's the antithesis of everything Guardiola has stood for his whole career.

Haaland reminds me of the Zlatan at Barcelona signing. Completely the wrong type of player for what he likes. I think Grealish is a bit of a weird one but he seems to be shackling him well into his style.

City seem to have half a new team as well and the existing players look pretty flat/fed up.

Their defence has gone to shit personnel wise. Ake, Akanji and Lewis getting regular game time is nothing like what they were putting out last season.

I reckon they're also feeling the effects of such a bruising few years [also impacting Liverpool far worse] and the condensed/disjointed season also doesn't suit either teams' high energy style [note they were both way off their best in the no-fans post covid season, even if City did win the league].

Milan are dreadful.

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Originally Posted by Ben

Milan are dreadful.

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I caught the line-ups for the derby at the pub and was struck by how shite they both were. How many of the 22 would get a game for anyone in the premier league? Maybe three or four?

Barella and Lautauro for Inter would, as for Milan you're really looking at Hernandez and Leao. Maybe Tonali too.

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Originally Posted by -james-

I caught the line-ups for the derby at the pub and was struck by how shite they both were. How many of the 22 would get a game for anyone in the premier league? Maybe three or four?

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They have the highest market value in Serie A on transfermarkt, mate.

Kalvin Phillips was another flavour of the month buy for them. Grealish is coming along a bit now but as said he has had to learn to play quite differently to the way that earned him his £100m price tag.

Liverpool(and unfortunately United) gaining an extra title this season is exactly how it was supposed to go, right?

:happycry:

We'll have two thanks.

Expunge the records! Prepare the buses!

As always, a financial breach will be punished with a fine.

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Originally Posted by Lofty

Kalvin Phillips was another flavour of the month buy for them. Grealish is coming along a bit now but as said he has had to learn to play quite differently to the way that earned him his £100m price tag.

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I remember thinking the Phillips transfer is basically them buying Micah Richards all over again. I hope he went into it realising that he was quadrupling his wage but essentially ending his career.

Micah Richards was a City youth product?

Was he? He must have refused to move to another team or something when the money turned up then. I don't know. I just remember thinking he was going to waste his career there either way.

Confusing him with Delph you daft racist.

Nah, although that was another odd one.

Goalie scoring klaxan....

View Tweet

:drool:

#Tekkers.

Bielsa back to Leeds pls

I'd take him back on the same ultimatum he gave Everton you know. That he just works with the youth team and takes over in the summer. Just leave some no-mark in charge of first team affairs for the rest of the season and hope for the best. I genuinely don't think I'd even care that much about going down as long as I knew he was returning!

Corberan (who was obviously his former number two) seems to be the consensus front-runner. I would potentially rather see out the season with West Brom if I were him though. These speculative lists are always frustrating to read though. I just saw one that had Pochettino at 9/1. The odds of him even answering a phone call from us just to laugh and say "no" are far longer than 9/1.

If Smallpockets wants to work in England again he's probably going to need to take something not far off Leeds' level. He's absolutely not going to be getting a 'top job' any time soon I don't think [appointed Chelsea boss next week]. I suppose Spuds might have him back if/when Conte fucks off, not a 'top job' though.

Only just read into this City stuff. Have a feeling it is, to coin a phrase, massive. What the eventual punishment might be almost doesn't matter. What matters is that the PL feels it is in its interests to publicly unleash hell on one of its biggest clubs. This has never happened before since football began in 1992, nor come close to happening as far as I can recall.

Is it the American owner groups banding together to try to take them down? Is it the PL as a corporate entity deciding that the Emiratis need to be got rid of for competitive balance reasons? What does it mean for the Super League? I don't know, but there's something very significant behind it.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Only just read into this City stuff. Have a feeling it is, to coin a phrase, massive. What the eventual punishment might be almost doesn't matter. What matters is that the PL feels it is in its interests to publicly unleash hell on one of its biggest clubs.

Is it the American owner groups banding together to try to take them down? Is it the PL as a corporate entity deciding that the Emiratis need to be got rid of for competitive balance reasons? I don't know, but there's something very significant behind it.

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It’ll be a fine. Like everything that has gone before and will again.

100 breaches sounds like a big enough number to warrant more than just fines. Whether the Premier League has the bottle to enforce something is another matter.

Only small teams get bans. It’ll be a fine, a huge fine at that, but a fine.

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Originally Posted by Giggles

It’ll be a fine. Like everything that has gone before and will again.

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It doesn't matter what the disciplinary outcome is (even if they were relegated or something drastic, they'd return), it matters what the political outcome is and how that affects the future of the league and the Super League etc.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

It doesn't matter what the disciplinary outcome is (even if they were relegated or something drastic, they'd return), it matters what the political outcome is and how that affects the future of the league and the Super League etc.

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Big club, big money, even bigger state. It’ll be a fine. Especially in the face of a super league.

An interesting take I read somewhere today [not sure where] was along the lines of no matter what happens, the City approach of drawing things out forever and lawyering the governing bodies to death is a really bad look for the sport. Not to want to sound all Tebas-like, but they [and PSG] have clearly been at it for years, absolutely taking the piss. Biggest commercial revenues in world football? Pull the other one.

The real fun will start when Liverpool FC get swallowed up, very likely very soon.

Swallowed up by what, the Irish Sea?

Whilst obviously the cost of clubs is pocket change to these countries/entities, who is left in the market? The UAE, Saudis and Qataris already have their play things, are the Kuwait mob [or whoever else] really going to be ponying up to buy into this environment? Imagine being bought by Iran. :drool:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Only just read into this City stuff. Have a feeling it is, to coin a phrase, massive. What the eventual punishment might be almost doesn't matter. What matters is that the PL feels it is in its interests to publicly unleash hell on one of its biggest clubs. This has never happened before since football began in 1992, nor come close to happening as far as I can recall.

Is it the American owner groups banding together to try to take them down? Is it the PL as a corporate entity deciding that the Emiratis need to be got rid of for competitive balance reasons? What does it mean for the Super League? I don't know, but there's something very significant behind it.

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My take is that they're realising that the current investment model from oil rich states is going to lead to the death of their product at the very least or, potentially, even the death of the game as we know it.

You simply cannot have all of the footballing playing resources held by a handful of clubs and it not absolutely kill your sport as a competitive spectacle.

I see that can’t take it to Court of Arbitration for Sport if they do get charged.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Swallowed up by what, the Irish Sea?

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The middle east, if you can separate yourself from being a jingomong and following the train of a thread. When the “club of the people” gets eaten up by the sand then the endgame gets completely accelerated.

I was chatting to a Spurs fan at the weekend and he said their fanbase is currently (and correctly, in his view) desperately gasping for an Arab oil state to buy them. United fans seem to be the same, in the round. Nobody seems to have done the sums.

There are endless American venture capital funds though if you like that sort of thing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yevrah

My take is that they're realising that the current investment model from oil rich states is going to lead to the death of their product at the very least or, potentially, even the death of the game as we know it.

You simply cannot have all of the footballing playing resources held by a handful of clubs and it not absolutely kill your sport as a competitive spectacle.

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I think you're not far off, except that they've probably been ushered towards that viewpoint by the Chelsea, Liverpool and United owners (and Arsenal, maybe).

Abramovich being replaced by Americans really changes the political balance at the top of the league.

Yeah, the bigger problem for 'The Product' is that the two teams with the most money/unlimited resources are, with the greatest respect, two-bit provincial outfits, so you can well imagine the bealing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I think you're not far off, except that they've probably been ushered towards that viewpoint by the Chelsea, Liverpool and United owners (and Arsenal, maybe).

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Maybe, and they're obviously doing it for self interested reasons, but the reality is that, whatever the motivation, their underlying point is right.

Man City winning the league year after year is boring, just as it will be when Newcastle do. As I've said before football is such a badly run sport in a commercial sense (presumably the massive back handers mean people are ok with that), but the one outlier is the Premier League, in that they've always understood what makes for an exciting league and distributed the wealth accordingly in order to achieve that. What's happened over the last few years is completely out of their control and I can see why they don't like it.

I don't think us winning anything should be taken as an inevitability.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shindig

I don't think us winning anything should be taken as an inevitability.

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Maybe not, but you're already ahead of schedule and if things are run well from the board room down you'll be fighting Man City for the number 1 side in England and presumably for a very long time.

Man City, going head to head with Newcastle, both sides dripping in oil money, really isn't good for interest in the game as none of it will have been achieved remotely organically.

You're already rising quicker than City did without the comedy signings, once europe is secure you'll go full Boehly.

Edit: @ Shinners obviously

I also don't know how you solve any of this either mind. It's like all of the worst rules of a capitalist society coming together, with no way to stop it.

A draft & salary cap system may be the only option.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yevrah

Maybe, and they're obviously doing it for self interested reasons, but the reality is that, whatever the motivation, their underlying point is right.

Man City winning the league year after year is boring, just as it will be when Newcastle do. As I've said before football is such a badly run sport in a commercial sense (presumably the massive back handers mean people are ok with that), but the one outlier is the Premier League, in that they've always understood what makes for an exciting league and distributed the wealth accordingly in order to achieve that. What's happened over the last few years is completely out of their control and I can see why they don't like it.

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If anything, 'the money years' have been more competitive than the previous version of the product [Jack Walker was buying the league like a maverick genius in the 90s], which is sort of alright and improves as more teams become wealthy without limits [buying the league certainly isn't what it once was], but the disconnect to the rest of the league/football pyramid is a problem. I don't really know what my point is here, but City have wrecked the [potential] golden age of the team I have supported [in my lifetime] somewhat so fuck them, fuck them right in the ear.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

If anything, 'the money years' have been more competitive than the previous version of the product [Jack Walker was buying the league like a maverick genius in the 90s]

---

Blackburn only won it once though, City are what, on number six now?

Time's passing quicker because we're all old now, but Man City and Chelsea must have been dominating for the best part of 20 years, with the latter getting a bit of slack because they have the good grace to drop a dogshit season every now and again.

Chelsea's cycle of being comically bad every few seasons was more a consequence of Roman's quick fire sacking policy I think.

https://twitter.com/FootbaIIForAIl/s...3hyv_zsbA&s=19

Comments saying it's Mikel Arteta. Would be hilarious.

:D

That would be amazing.

More likely Garry Cook who probably has a massive chip on his shoulder.

Didn't they only get away with it last time because the breaches had been committed too far back? The wages they supposedly pay have always had a definite whiff of Melbourne Storm accounting about them.

My money is on Carsley.

It'll be Yaya with a book in ten years titled "The Birthday Cake That Brought Down an Empire".

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

Was he? He must have refused to move to another team or something when the money turned up then. I don't know. I just remember thinking he was going to waste his career there either way.

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Jack Rodwell.

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Brentford B's bench tonight featured the sons of Jason Wilcox, Kevin Lisbie, Paul Dickov, Steven Pressley and David Beckham.

A pretty amusing punt that they're clearing taking.

Was only a matter of time before the data crowd turned to eugenics. Probably get all their first teamers to donate sperm at training.

IIRC Paul Dickovs kid was at City youth in the same group as Foden and was their second best player. Was a running joke that he was better than his old man.

Andy Booth's son I get but Jeremy Vine, Jools Holland and Alan McManus? :cab:

It was actually Rowan Vine (Portsmouth, Brentford, Colchester United, Luton Town, Birmingham City, Queens Park Rangers (QPR), Hull City, Milton Keynes Dons, Exeter City, Gillingham, St Johnstone, Hibernian and Greenock Morton, and non-league football for Welling United, Havant & Waterlooville, Gosport Borough (three spells), Basingstoke Town, Southall (two spells), Hayes & Yeading United, Hartley Wintney (two spells), Alresford Town, Moneyfields, Tadley Calleva and Hemel Hempstead Town)'s son who was on the bench last night. Steven Pressley's boy is on their books as well though.

I thought I saw Steven Pressley's son playing for Accrington the other day. Perhaps he was on loan.

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Is this what it sounds like to them when Dave from north London is talking about tight ends and the college bowl?

The two penalty thing strikes again.

I can’t believe Billy Sharp is still playing for Sheffield United. I remember buying him in FM 07.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...club-DAYS.html

Grim.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Get your Warren Zaire-Emery name: the name of the second most senior person in the accounts department at your company, the name of your favourite defunct nation state, and the manager who won the UEFA Cup the year you were born.

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Dajo Texas Trapattoni. :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...club-DAYS.html

Grim.

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Yep. I don't know if Gary Neville has clocked this yet, but Oil states and individuals owning the top four of the Premier League is far worse for 'sporting merit' than the super league would ever have been.

Al-Hilal just beat Flamengo in the Club World Cup :)

I've always been a strong supporter of Qatar.

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Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay have officially submitted their joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup - 100 years after the inaugural tournament was held in Montevideo.

The four South American nations have called for the World Cup to return to "where football was born".

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:cab:

They still have their backs up about Stanley Rous in a serious way in that part of the world.

Would be a great host venue(s) though. World Cup final in the Centenario, make it happen please.

Having it in Uruguay and the lads is the obvious sentimental choice, so with that in mind I'd like to congratulate Saudi Arabia on their successful bid.

Boost for Spurs' top 4 hopes with Lloris out for a few months.

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Boost for Spurs' top 4 hopes with Lloris out for a few months.

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Fraser Forster is 3.9 on FPL :happycry:

Good call putting off getting a new keeper until the summer.

There goes our chance of nabbing a flukey one against France now.

I think thommo has banged this drum plenty, but Joao Palhinha should not be playing for Fulham. Just had a look at his fbref numbers and sure enough he's leagues ahead of his peers.

How have VAR not told the referee to look at Martinez there? :D

And now that clear foul from Martinez on Summerville.No idea whether it was in the box or not but could have been last man. What a shambles

The No Manager Bounce doing the business here.

Alexei Lalas in the mud.

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Originally Posted by Lewis

The No Manager Bounce doing the business here.

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Not as strong as the scoring once when 2-0 down bounce

Jadons Ancho officially back :cool:

Great to see the emo score and delay the suicide attempt but can't help thinking Antony has been missed here.

Great bit of seethe from Shaw and a few others, Elland Road game promises serious fireworks.

I will take it. Obviously it's disappointing to lose the two goal lead but in reality it's a great point. Who knew all we needed to do to look a half-way decent side again was drop the horrible, repetitive, super-narrow build up play? Revelatory stuff.

Fred was laughable tonight.

Watching Brum v Brom. This Hannibal guy is tasty.

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Originally Posted by phonics

Watching Brum v Brom. This Hannibal guy is tasty.

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He's on loan from United. He's been one of the highest rated ones in the academy for ages.

High praise.

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Great addition to the Premier League.

Mount and Gallagher dropped. :drool:

Felix has played about 65 mins in total and been the best player for every minute by a mile.

And Enzo Fernandez is that guy.

West Ham look wank.

:cool:

Lovely scuffed finish.

That goal is one of those that is simultaneously really shit to concede, but also you couldn't have done anything about no matter what you did.

Well, Cucurella could have just cleared it. I have no idea why they try to beat the press down the left as it always ends with them losing it. He’s so out of his depth compared to last year for Brighton.

West Ham will win this, they always do. Couldn’t tell you the last time Chelsea won an early kick off in front of fans either

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Well, Cucurella could have just cleared it. I have no idea why they try to beat the press down the left as it always ends with them losing it. He’s so out of his depth compared to last year for Brighton.

West Ham will win this, they always do. Couldn’t tell you the last time Chelsea won an early kick off in front of fans either

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Nothing to do with your man doing his best Trent Impression.

Why are commentators continually talking about us in terms of needing to make up points to make the Champions League places? It's so lazy. We demonstably have neither any opportunity neither any interest in making up such a huge deficit.

Actually, who is this bloke on BT lead comms? Is he a quota appointment? His vocal range is completely wrong.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Actually, who is this bloke on BT lead comms? Is he a quota appointment? His vocal range is completely wrong.

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I've been trying to place him. I'm pretty sure he's usually heard doing either the u17 world cup or the women's luge.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by -james-

Nothing to do with your man doing his best Trent Impression.

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Maybe but it all starts with Cucurella.

Potter has clearly done some sterling work (small s) on the training ground this week, so credit to him, but we're still yet to find any kind of emotional tone for this team. Great half hour of technical stuff and then as soon as the knees up mother brown crowd start going we look completely lost.

Kante is back in training. Right in time for the 2nd leg of the Dortmund game with his new hamstrings. CL #3 is en route

I think that's going to be ruled out.

Yeah I think so. Would be absolute robbery if they nicked it.

Potter is absolutely meh regardless if it counted or not. I can’t see him last long, just comes across as a bit of a loser. His subs are always tragic too.

VAR taking the piss there.

Gotta draw those lines even when my nana can see it was obviously offside.

How is that not handball hahahaha

I can forgive Pawson for not seeing it, but the VAR will be getting buried for that.

The John Terry Special.

That's a ridiculous decision. If that's not handball then we may as well go home.

So frustrating to be robbed as blatantly as that after a very good display, far better than a declining West Ham side. Completely inept in the VAR room.

Bringing on Mount, Gallagher and Ziyech to try get a goal. I genuinely think he’s played for the draw, they didn’t even bother attempting to go forward that last 15 minutes. It’s time to go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Bringing on Mount, Gallagher and Ziyech to try get a goal. I genuinely think he’s played for the draw, they didn’t even bother attempting to go forward that last 15 minutes. It’s time to go.

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Go and sit on a potty, you don't know what you're watching. The difference in 8 days last week to this week was massive and all of the above added something when they came on fresh. Mount broke the lines several times and Ziyech threatened with his deliveries.

Our twitter fanbase need to readjust to the new reality, this isn't the Abramovich era, this is a tank season and there won't be any sackings any time soon.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

So frustrating to be robbed as blatantly as that after a very good display, far better than a declining West Ham side. Completely inept in the VAR room.

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Took genuinely 2 minutes to work out if Rice was offside when it was clear he was at least 2 yards but waived away the penalty shout in 5 seconds.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Go and sit on a potty, you don't know what you're watching. The difference in 8 days last week to this week was massive and all of the above added something when they came on fresh. Mount broke the lines several times and Ziyech threatened with his deliveries.

Our twitter fanbase need to readjust to the new reality, this isn't the Abramovich era, this is a tank season and there won't be any sackings any time soon.

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They were very good for 25 minutes and that was about it. Then it reverted to the same stuff since October. 2 wins in 14 PL games and both were at home to Palace/Bournemouth. He’s out his depth.

You're out of yours.

You claimed Mount broke the lines several times. Very good, shame his final ball both times he got in behind was dreadful. The less said about Gallagher the better.

Bringing Mount on to shift Felix out of the action was such a Jimmy Floyd substitution from Mr Potter.

Doesn't matter. It isn't win this game or we all die, it's building towards next season. There was progress in all areas and during a period when Mount isn't in the best of form, a good use of him is to come off the bench like that and add energy.

You see how he's gradually easing Chilwell back in, not making Mudryk play too many minutes? That's a man who has the board's backing and knows what he's doing.

I think he’s just too nice to be a top gaffa

Jimmy Vs Waff's bickering really is an encapsulation of... something, I dunno. opposing ideologies of the football spectrum. just need spikeylocks to come along and say the ideology in the middle of them is just right.

The old style vs the YouTube clip FIFA generation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by igor_balis

Jimmy Vs Waff's bickering really is an encapsulation of... something, I dunno. opposing ideologies of the football spectrum. just need spikeylocks to come along and say the ideology in the middle of them is just right.

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TIME to the left of me, NARRATIVE to the right, '...and It's Live' with Matt Forde.

It's not impacted the result of the game much, but I'm at a loss to explain this decision from VAR today.

https://i.gyazo.com/e4d30e7b7eb5f0df...9c5083c2b5.jpg

His foot is marginally past diers knee. Their arms don't count as you can't play the ball with them.

Edit: although Davies' head is ahead of his foot. Fuck knows.

Bah, we're shite. :moop:

My migga. :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

His foot is marginally past diers knee. Their arms don't count as you can't play the ball with them.

Edit: although Davies' head is ahead of his foot. Fuck knows.

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The line should be on Davies shoulder, so it's way off. It should be at least on, with the benefit of the doubt stuff we saw earlier in the season.

This Hojlund fella for Atalanta is going to be some player.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

His foot is marginally past diers knee. Their arms don't count as you can't play the ball with them.

Edit: although Davies' head is ahead of his foot. Fuck knows.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gray Fox

The line should be on Davies shoulder, so it's way off. It should be at least on, with the benefit of the doubt stuff we saw earlier in the season.

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That this conversation can / should even happen is everything that's wrong with the offside rule. Christ, what a shitshow.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gray Fox

It's not impacted the result of the game much, but I'm at a loss to explain this decision from VAR today.

https://i.gyazo.com/e4d30e7b7eb5f0df...9c5083c2b5.jpg

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How can they be so consistently incompetent?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fg6B1YKX...jpg&name=small

Came across this one again the other day. Look at it. It's laughable. How can a referee who will have refereed thousand of hours of football not realise that that doesn't look right?

Whoever gets Rasmus Højlund is getting a better player than Haaland. Incredible talent.

We didn't deserve to win so I'm not that mad but if this is true alongside the Chelsea handball it's hilarious how VAR continually makes these people look more incompetent every day

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It'll be fine. The chasing pack are shitting the bed this week.

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Originally Posted by phonics

We didn't deserve to win so I'm not that mad but if this is true alongside the Chelsea handball it's hilarious how VAR continually makes these people look more incompetent every day

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It’s funny because it’s Arsenal and all that. But how is he forgetting to draw the lines? He has one fucking job.

At least three massive VAR shambles in different games today. I don't know how they manage it. VARs have a far, far easier job than on field refs. Not even 1/10th as difficult.

I think the biggest frustration I have with it is that you see stuff which I think refs let slide because they think well VAR will look at it. Then when VAR do look at it they take five seconds and it’s done. But you know that five years ago the referee on the pitch would have made a decision which they just don’t seem to do anymore. So you have the worst of both worlds as then the VAR set a high bar to actually overturn an onfield decision.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ian

That this conversation can / should even happen is everything that's wrong with the offside rule. Christ, what a shitshow.

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The problem being is there isn't a better offside rule than the one we currently have. Even if someone suggested something mad like you're only offside if there's daylight between the two players, all this will mean is drawing the lines again but in a different location.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Luke Emia

I think the biggest frustration I have with it is that you see stuff which I think refs let slide because they think well VAR will look at it. Then when VAR do look at it they take five seconds and it’s done. But you know that five years ago the referee on the pitch would have made a decision which they just don’t seem to do anymore. So you have the worst of both worlds as then the VAR set a high bar to actually overturn an onfield decision.

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In the World Cup it worked much better. Collina's way was to tell all the refs to make a decision and then if that decision needed varying, the VAR was to intervene. That way, unless the VAR is a complete wally and intervenes when he shouldn't and the ref after coming over to the screen decides to agree with his crap intervention (as in Portugal v Uruguay), the officials as a team nearly always arrive at the correct decision.

The big difference in the PL is that, because they have been pelted in the first years of having VAR, they have this 'clear and obvious error' principle. This may sound good in theory, but in reality it just encourages referees not to make a decision i.e. to wave play on and only when it is a real stonewaller will the VAR intervene. This is how you end up with awful decisions like the Chelsea one earlier.

Some interesting stats:

PL penalties per game this season: 0.23
Serie A: 0.29
Bundesliga: 0.32
La Liga 0.33

That is a big difference, particularly considering the PL is meant to be this fast-paced end to end physical league.

I am somewhat sympathetic towards the VAR in the Chelsea handball one as I think there is an understandable extent to which they, like all humans, have had their brains melted by the 'natural position' handball interpretation. At first glance you can sort of see it as being where you arm would be in a falling situation, then you step back and realise that the 'falling' is actually, in essence, saving. Similar to, albeit probably worse than, the Matty Cash, it isn't handball if it hits your thigh first handball interpretation, despite the same 'saving' being in operation.

Can't really forgive the lines ones though, and three in a day is, well, how does that happen? Was it their Christmas do yesterday or something?

I hope they keep getting it disastrously wrong because it increases the chances of sacking it off. This seasons done anyway.

If Southampton were going to do it this soon they should have done it when Dyche was still available.

I don't get why he was stupid enough to leave Luton a second time. It's clearly his ideal environment. I guess these people are all so driven they just back themselves to succeed anywhere despite all evidence to the contrary.

What's Allardyce up to? I'm surprised nobody has tried to bring him back.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dquincy

The problem being is there isn't a better offside rule than the one we currently have. Even if someone suggested something mad like you're only offside if there's daylight between the two players, all this will mean is drawing the lines again but in a different location.

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Just give VAR a timer for offsides. If it gets to the point where you're having to draw lines and shit then it's not obvious that anybody should be getting stressed out about the real-time call.

They've proven that even when they take minutes and minutes they can still either get it wrong or get it "right" in a way that winds up basically everybody, so don't give them the time. Just give them enough time to slow it down, make sure nothing egregious has happened. If not, jolly good, crack on lads.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ian

Just give VAR a timer for offsides. If it gets to the point where you're having to draw lines and shit then it's not obvious that anybody should be getting stressed out about the real-time call.

They've proven that even when they take minutes and minutes they can still either get it wrong or get it "right" in a way that winds up basically everybody, so don't give them the time. Just give them enough time to slow it down, make sure nothing egregious has happened. If not, jolly good, crack on lads.

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That’s some of it. If you can’t decide within 1 minute if a clear error has been made then one obviously hasn’t been made. As Jimmy said aside from a couple of things the World Cup seemed to have it pretty bang on.

I'd missed Flamengo shitting out of the World Club Cup to Al-Hilal. Sign of the times.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ian

Just give VAR a timer for offsides. If it gets to the point where you're having to draw lines and shit then it's not obvious that anybody should be getting stressed out about the real-time call.

They've proven that even when they take minutes and minutes they can still either get it wrong or get it "right" in a way that winds up basically everybody, so don't give them the time. Just give them enough time to slow it down, make sure nothing egregious has happened. If not, jolly good, crack on lads.

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Don't Holland or somewhere have it so the lines are thicker on offsides and if when they draw them they are touching, benefit of the doubt goes straight to the attacker?

That only covers offsides obviously, but stuff like that seems like common sense.

Our lines were meant to be thicker this year, but that doesn't help when they are simply drawn in the wrong place.

Potter was right in his post-match comments, human error is still a possibility [inevitability], the only way it can work is for it to be an automated system, but that probably needs a rule change at the very east and then you get a rules divergence between the top division and the rest of the pyramid. The actual answer is to put it all in the bin and go back to moaning. I'm not even sure a 'challenge system' could really work, although it would be better than what we have.

It definitely feels better as a fan when you just think you've been stiffed by the ref than it does when you have been stiffed by not only the ref, but also by a second ref with a TV and every opportunity to put the first ref right. You're just asking for conspiracy theories to develop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

It definitely feels better as a fan when you just think you've been stiffed by the ref than it does when you have been stiffed by not only the ref, but also by a second ref with a TV and every opportunity to put the first ref right. You're just asking for conspiracy theories to develop.

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There's no conspiracy to be had. Anyone with half a brain can see it's just incompetence. There are numerous incomprehensible decisions in pretty much every game but on balance they go for/against individual teams with pretty equal frequency, often within the same game.

Has any actual reason for the Lemina sending off been provided?

All I heard was “3rd person approaching the ref” which seems bizarre, given that happens about 5 or 6 times a game.

If that’s how they want to police it fair enough - but then we should be seeing about twenty yellows a weekend when it’s introduced.

Maybe the offside stuff has hidden it.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Foe

Has any actual reason for the Lemina sending off been provided?

All I heard was “3rd person approaching the ref” which seems bizarre, given that happens about 5 or 6 times a game.

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I read the reason given was that he was approaching AGGRESSIVELY.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

There's no conspiracy to be had. Anyone with half a brain can see it's just incompetence. There are numerous incomprehensible decisions in pretty much every game but on balance they go for/against individual teams with pretty equal frequency, often within the same game.

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I didn't say it was a conspiracy. I said 'You're just asking for conspiracy theories to develop'.

Despite our differences, I don't dispute you having at least "half a brain".

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

There are numerous incomprehensible decisions in pretty much every game but on balance they go for/against individual teams with pretty equal frequency, often within the same game.

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I don't believe there are any conspiracy theories to be had, but people parroted this nonsense pre VAR and there's no reason for it to be true post VAR.

Well maybe the stats prove me wrong, IDK, but watching every United game my crude assessment is that there is a pretty even split of absolutely ridiculous decisions which go for and against us.

Decisions tend to run for home teams, especially in passages when the crowd is up or there is particularly aggressive on-field intimidation of the ref (see Keane-era Man Utd). I also think a lot of referees are quite generous to the underdogs in massive FA Cup mismatches sometimes. Other than that, I don't think there is a 'big club' bias or anything like that which is frequently rolled out by provincial fans.

De Gea
Dalot
Maguire (c)
Shaw
Malacia
Sabitzer
Fred
Sancho
Fernandes
Rashford
Weghorst

That back line :uhoh:

I had forgotten you signed/ loaned that Burnley flop. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I don't get why he was stupid enough to leave Luton a second time. It's clearly his ideal environment. I guess these people are all so driven they just back themselves to succeed anywhere despite all evidence to the contrary.

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Quote:

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Jones succeeded Ralph Hasenhuttl in November on a three-and-a-half-year contract after leaving Championship side Luton.

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That's your answer right there [aside from the obvious career advancement side of things].

He also probably thought he'd get a year in the Championship if it went south.

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I was watching BT Sport Score at the time and it seemed to take forever for them to make the decision. Was Lee Mason having a shit at the time or what?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

I had forgotten you signed/ loaned that Burnley flop. :D

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I think he's started every game since he arrived, not sure if he has managed a shot on target yet?

I know the Dutch are good at pumping up their own tyres, but Ten Hag convincing himself that Malacia should feature in top flight football is taking it a bit far.

That United team is genuinely disgusting. How have they got out at the minute?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lofty

I think he's started every game since he arrived, not sure if he has managed a shot on target yet?

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I haven't been paying attention, but judging from my prior experience of him, I'm going to guess no.

I thought he'd managed a goal, did I imagine that?

He scored a few weeks back. I'm not sure what the expectation is from a last minute forward to replace Ronaldo but he's done ok considering.

United are rotating because they're playing every 3 days at the moment.

He scored in the 2nd leg against Forest I think

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kikó

He scored a few weeks back. I'm not sure what the expectation is from a last minute forward to replace Ronaldo but he's done ok considering.

United are rotating because they're playing every 3 days at the moment.

---

Don't understand why Martinez didn't start this game though, given he's suspended for Barca anyway. Would make a huge difference to the back line.

Weghorst does fine. We needed cover for the terminally injured Martial and weren't going to get whoever the big striker signing ends up being in January. He brings other players into the game well.

We are a totally different team without Casemiro.

Genuine tragedy that this Man Utd team are comfortably in 3rd. They are utterly shite.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Don't understand why Martinez didn't start this game though, given he's suspended for Barca anyway. Would make a huge difference to the back line.

Weghorst does fine. We needed cover for the terminally injured Martial and weren't going to get whoever the big striker signing ends up being in January. He brings other players into the game well.

We are a totally different team without Casemiro.

---

Martinez might be being saved for the cup final?

Bombscare stuff from United here.

So fully expect 2-0, B. Fernandes penalty and Rashford late on.

Case Miro being out also seems to have caused Fred to revert to full retard level.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Genuine tragedy that this Man Utd team are comfortably in 3rd. They are utterly shite.

---

We are genuinely quite good with our first 11 out. Our depth is just tragic and our only striker who isn't an emergency loan is never available.

And we've had about 50 games in 50 days.

Yeah, when the first team is all out Man Utd are quite good.

Rashford adding headers to his game. :drool:

Never thought I'd be saying it, but I think it's time to give Rashford a run at centre-forward.

This better not be offside :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Never thought I'd be saying it, but I think it's time to give Rashford a run at centre-forward.

---

Weghorst is proving to be a total momentum-killer so until we have other options I'd be tempted to put Rashford there unless it proves to take him out of the game.

This Leeds keeper is bobbins.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ian

Weghorst is proving to be a total momentum-killer so until we have other options I'd be tempted to put Rashford there unless it proves to take him out of the game.

---

He's scored within about 5 minutes of going up front at the end of the last few games. I think he can do it.

Garnacho is so fucking good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Bombscare stuff from United here.

So fully expect 2-0, B. Fernandes penalty and Rashford late on.

---

Lol.

Rashford is premium mbappe at the moment.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

He's scored within about 5 minutes of going up front at the end of the last few games. I think he can do it.

---

Agreed, and it's definitely worth a try I think as it stands.

They might as well trial him through the middle and starting Garnacho on the left before they spend half the summer budget on a striker.

I like this thing about not approaching/surrounding referees. Going to take the more knuckle-dragging elements in football ages to get their heads around it.

Jack Grealish is scum.

#TicketlessReds in the clear. It was the French and UEFA wot dun it.

Jota, Firmino and Van Dijk on the bench tonight. At last some reinforcements.

That’s some midfield 3 battle. All running and not much else. Should be a special game.

And thank fuck they've not put this at 12:30 on a Saturday like they usually try to. Should be a tasty atmosphere once a few snappy tackles go in.

Nunez should get in behind that right hand side with ease if he’s up for it.

I’m sure Coady will try help him out

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

That’s some midfield 3 battle. All running and not much else. Should be a special game.

---

Special needs perhaps.

I’d struggle to think of a worse regular starter in the Klopp era than Nunez.

At least Gomez has had decent form in the past.

That was a lovely counter attack.

What's Pickford doing though?

Jordan Pickford. Fuck me.

Like when you bring the keeper out by mistake on FIFA.

Nunez just has a cloud over him that won't last forever. I'd say money is to be made on him being top scorer next season.

Match fixing has to come into question with him at Anfield.

Sky really are a joke letting gimps like Carragher and Neville commentate on their teams.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Nunez just has a cloud over him that won't last forever. I'd say money is to be made on him being top scorer next season.

---

He hasn't.

He had ONE season at Benfica where he ridiculously outscored his expected goals, mostly by way of laughable goalkeeping mistakes.

He's just regressed to his mean. He's shit.

Don't ever mention 'expected' anything to me. Load of horse shite aimed at a shower of youtube twats.

You got so close to the real issue before shitting all over yourself.

He has indeed had one season as a Benfica starter, which was his only taste of proper European football as a starter before he moved to us. He's still finding his feet, but has all of the right tools to be a very good player.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

He hasn't.

He had ONE season at Benfica where he ridiculously outscored his expected goals, mostly by way of laughable goalkeeping mistakes.

He's just regressed to his mean. He's shit.

---

He's averaging over 1.0 xG + xA per 90 this season which is elite territory. Best in the top 5 leagues in Europe this season, in fact, though he has less minutes and more sub appearances than the rest of the top 10.

You only need to actually watch him playing to know that it's just a bit of a mental thing and he's just that last step away from a shit load of goals. Or yeah, opta instead.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

You got so close to the real issue before shitting all over yourself.

He has indeed had one season as a Benfica starter, which was his only taste of proper European football as a starter before he moved to us. He's still finding his feet, but has all of the right tools to be a very good player.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

He's averaging over 1.0 xG + xA per 90 this season which is elite territory. Best in the top 5 leagues in Europe this season, in fact.

---

@Gray Fox and there's your twat. Couldn't have paid for that timing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

You got so close to the real issue before shitting all over yourself.

He has indeed had one season as a Benfica starter, which was his only taste of proper European football as a starter before he moved to us. He's still finding his feet, but has all of the right tools to be a very good player.

---

No, he had two seasons as a starter. The first he scored 6 in 29 in the league. That was always his actual level. He's your Maguire.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

He's averaging over 1.0 xG + xA per 90 this season which is elite territory. Best in the top 5 leagues in Europe this season, in fact, though he has less minutes and more sub appearances than the rest of the top 10.

---

Yeah, but he doesn't convert. As he hasn't for any other part of his career other than one outlier season.

I said he'd be shit before he came. He is shit. You mongs still want to argue that yeah ok he's shit but he definitely will be good.

He won't.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

No, he had two seasons as a starter. The first he scored 6 in 29 in the league. That was always his actual level. He's your Maguire.

---

He only started 19 of those in fairness, and was substituted off in 8 of them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Yeah, but he doesn't convert. As he hasn't for any other part of his career other than one outlier season.

I said he'd be shit before he came. He is shit. You mong's still want to argue that yeah ok he's shit but he definitely will be good.

He won't.

---

You brought up the xG. 37 goals from 36.5 xG going back to 20/21 when he joined Benfica. :shrug:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

@Gray Fox and there's your twat. Couldn't have paid for that timing.

---

He's not going to knock Haaland levels of goals in, but buying the finished article is something we rarely do. I still think he's got a good 20+ league goals per season in him once he settles.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

No, he had two seasons as a starter. The first he scored 6 in 29 in the league. That was always his actual level. He's your Maguire.

---

Or he took a year to settle and then banged in goals for fun. It's all in how you want to see it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Or he took a year to settle and then banged in goals for fun. It's all in how you want to see it.

---

Watch the compilation of goals he scored that season for Benfica. It's so bad. So many are laughable goalkeeping.

A good job we don't have laughable goalkeeping in the Barclays Premier League.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fo4AJtRW...g&name=900x900

Finishing ability is way overblown most of the time. The absolute best (Messi) beat xG by about 15%, nearly everyone else is about 0-10% either way across their career with the occasional outlier spell.

This page has covered the spectrum.

I'm a Nunez fan. Fabinho not so much.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

You brought up the xG. 37 goals from 36.5 xG going back to 20/21 when he joined Benfica. :shrug:

---

Hit me up next season when he's still putting up ELITE xNumbers and is still shit. Or the one after. Or when he's been sold to some b-tier European team for 30m.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

Finishing ability is way overblown most of the time. The absolute best (Messi) beat xG by about 15%, nearly everyone else is about 0-10% either way across their career with the occasional outlier spell.

---

Nunez in a league of his own.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Yeah, but he doesn't convert. As he hasn't for any other part of his career other than one outlier season.

I said he'd be shit before he came. He is shit. You mongs still want to argue that yeah ok he's shit but he definitely will be good.

He won't.

---

That's a very strong judgment regarding a fella who's only had half a season in the prem.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Or he took a year to settle and then banged in goals for fun. It's all in how you want to see it.

---

Opinions? I hope you haven't watched actual games to form those, that's amateur hour. Hopefully someone can hook you up with a definitive spreadsheet.

Can always rely on Everton to get confidence back into Liverpool not matter how shite the latter are.

And there’s Coady handing Gakpo his first goal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Opinions? I hope you haven't watched actual games to form those, that's amateur hour. Hopefully someone can hook you up with a definitive spreadsheet.

---

Sorry, I'll revert back to players either having to be the best on the planet or they're just shit.

Gahahahaha look at our resident reddit expert try and discuss Nunez with xG stats to boot. Gutted I missed this.

I'm just a spreadsheet merchant but he's looked good tonight imo. xLiveliness off the charts.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

Gahahahaha look at our resident reddit expert try and discuss Nunez with xG stats to boot. Gutted I missed this.

---

There's no discussion. I said he'd be shit. He's been shit. Until he stops being shit (which he won't) you can all chortle my balls

We can do what? Head's gone :D

The football for both our goals was tasty af but it'll get lost in a sea of "tougher tests await". Gakpo has settled, Jota is back and once VVD replaces RL's brother from another mother, it's on :drool:

Time for our Bobby :wub:

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Beautiful.

https://i.imgur.com/FYBmUCu.png
What a man.

Pickford would fold him up like a picnic blanket.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Pickford would fold him up like a picnic blanket.

---

Not with them little arms he wouldn’t.

Given the thread title... an update on the MIGHTY CITY.

First three games of the season:

Nam Dinh 1-0 Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City 0-1 Hai Phong
Ho Chi Minh City 0-2 Khanh Hoa

Leaves us bottom of the league...

Toggle Spoiler

https://gyazo.com/05eda07714c336032d1c0c6b8fe67c99.jpeg

Jesse Marsch to Southampton is splendid banter.

Southampton aren't the worst team in the league, but they do have the worst keeper by a country mile. Drop Bazuna and they'll have a fighting chance.

Jones very nearly did it early in play and bottled it. It's the first thing the new manager needs to do.

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Basically we've scoured world football and discovered nobody even half decent wants the job (and I don't fucking blame them) so we've just called it off. This is probably, as much as I hate to admit it, the most sensible course of action we could take too.

Liverpool hillsboroughing the shit out of the UEFA thing already the shameless cunts :D

Check the squads for the Milan game. They'd be a poor sight for a Europa Conference League game let alone a CL game ffs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alex

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Basically we've scoured world football and discovered nobody even half decent wants the job (and I don't fucking blame them) so we've just called it off. This is probably, as much as I hate to admit it, the most sensible course of action we could take too.

---

Is this definitely a better option than just keeping Marsch?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Is this definitely a better option than just keeping Marsch?

---

I honestly don't even know at this point Jim.

It looks like he's about to get the Southampton job though, doesn't it? So he's obviously going to spark a turnaround there and they will pass us in the league imminently. Nailed on.

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Jimmy did it better.

Bit racist.

Whilst I guess it's due to the Queen dying and all, UEFA must be absolutely seething that Arsenal v City has been slated up against the Champions League games tomorrow night.

I did it better and a week ago, and still thought to myself afterwards 'that was a bit shit'. TTH content standards are unparallelled.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Liverpool hillsboroughing the shit out of the UEFA thing already the shameless cunts :D

---

Not sure how Liverpool had any say in the verdict, but judging by your horrendous takes in the other threads I shouldn't be surprised you don't understand.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Guybrush

Not sure how Liverpool had any say in the verdict, but judging by your horrendous takes in the other threads I shouldn't be surprised you don't understand.

---

Say in the verdict? They’ve been hamming it up since the verdict

Stop talking rubbish, and never use the word ‘takes’ like that again. You’re not an American sports presenter.

You are taking the heavy mong line on that one though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

never use the word ‘takes’ like that again. You’re not an American sports presenter.

---

Have a word with your man.

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He’s fairly maxing out the tosser scale in fairness. I’d expect nothing different.

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It's over mate.

It might have been over in the old Alex Ferguson football world. In the new self-help manual 10 year contracts world, he's here for decades and winning it all.

Anything about anything. :D

https://www.theguardian.com/football...ngham-dortmund

The guy is too intelligent or football media cretins. Thankfully his bosses recognise this.

Jorginho/Xhaka double pivot tonight against Man City. :lol:

3 at the back by City :drool:

Has Partey finally been sent down? And sushiface over White? Arteta's head's gone.

That City line-up is like one of DS' supertactics from FM.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

3 at the back by City :drool:

Has Partey finally been sent down? And sushiface over White? Arteta's head's gone.

---

Partey a precaution, his bail has been extended til the end of the season.

White has been a bit off it the last few games, Tomiyasu looked decent in the FA Cup.

Mount dropped in back to back games :drool:

Ffs, I forgot Chelsea were playing and now I have to spend my evening watching them. What a miserable thought.

I can watch a bit of EPL but nothing leaves me colder than a CL game. They just seem so fucking benign and pointless.

Have Sky/'The Premier League' been cucked into not having this on TV by UEFA? Presumably it must have been originally slated as a TV game.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Have Sky/'The Premier League' been cucked into not having this on TV by UEFA? Presumably it must have been originally slated as a TV game.

---

It’s on BT/ Premier from looking at my EPG.

Actually looking again it may be only Premier Sports that it’s on. I think that only airs here (like the 3pm live Saturday EPL games).

Not here I don't think. It's bound to be on BEiN I guess [or however you write that].

Prime for some reason.

Also hence the weird kick-off time.

:hat:

Lovely finish

Lovely through ball.

I have prime but can’t watch it because it’s on Premier, but I’m fucked if I’m paying for that.

Wouldn’t be shocked if Mudryk has a field day on the break here like the last time he was in Germany.

Nice for Ederson to get a booking for his 5th attempt at time wasting and then time wasting some more. Silva also gets to commit multiple fouls on Saka and no booking then they just rotate Ake on to him.

:D

That decision is hilarious.

Ederson off?

If it's a penalty than it's definitely a second booking surely. IDGAF tho. Ederson spending 5 minutes poiting at the corner that Saka places it in is funny.

That is a bizarre decision.

City are a horrible side.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

I have prime but can’t watch it because it’s on Premier, but I’m fucked if I’m paying for that.

---

Would a vpn set to the uk let you watch it?

Pretty fair penalty decision for me. Completely takes him out.

'Takes him out'

:D

They run into each other. Maybe if Nketiah could have gone on to influence the game, but the shot was off, it was incidental contact and a poor decision. Does that mean you can kick someone and fall over if you are both running? Fuck City though so fair enough, I guess it's not that far from the Harry Kane 'toe the ball out of play and fall over' special [which also categorically shouldn't be a penalty but always is].

The equivalent situation for an outfield player is a winger poking the ball past a defender who attempts a tackle and in the motion of doing so, runs into the winger. The shot being off has absolutely zero relevance to the situation (in fact the only relevance it has is preventing Ederson from being sent off).

I mean they give fouls for follow through 99% of the time.

Is this what the phrase 'anywhere else on the pitch' is designed to cover?

Would Taylor have pulled play back if the ball had rolled in the net? Not a chance. He's played advantage and inexplicably given Arsenal another roll at the dice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

Would a vpn set to the uk let you watch it?

---

Probably would on a phone/laptop but can’t vpn on the telly app.

Edit - actually now that I think of it, it goes by your payment card so it wouldn’t work at all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manc

Would Taylor have pulled play back if the ball had rolled in the net? Not a chance. He's played advantage and inexplicably given Arsenal another roll at the dice.

---

In that scenario what advantage did they gain?

Lots of fascinating stuff in Dortmund-Chelsea. Potter's men playing on the counter. Bellingham trying way too hard to appear pumped up. Absurdly bad Spanish referee losing control. Kai Havertz's first touch shooting down one of those Chinese balloons. Julian Brandt looking like the untermensch have plenty to worry about yet. Nil nil.

What a lol yellow card. I dont think I've ever, ever seen that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

In that scenario what advantage did they gain?

---

A free shot at an open goal. You can't punish City for hooking the ball off the line.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Lots of fascinating stuff in Dortmund-Chelsea. Potter's men playing on the counter. Bellingham trying way too hard to appear pumped up. Absurdly bad Spanish referee losing control. Kai Havertz's first touch shooting down one of those Chinese balloons. Julian Brandt looking like the untermensch have plenty to worry about yet. Nil nil.

---

Yeah, that yellow card for Silva was a genuine joke. He’s definitely giving a dodgy penalty at some point.

Could have done with Giroud or someone in that ilk for Fernandez, Mudryk and especially Felix to play off of. It’s a bit of a miracle when the ball doesn’t bounce 5 yards off of Havertz.

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Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manc

A free shot at an open goal. You can't punish City for hooking the ball off the line.

---

No Arsenal player touches the ball after the foul, there's no advantage gained at all.

They aren't being punished for hooking the ball away. If anything it's a good defensive move and they're rewarded as it gives them a chance to save the penalty.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manc

A free shot at an open goal. You can't punish City for hooking the ball off the line.

---

Well it clearly wasn't a free shot since he got taken out 0.1 seconds later.

Mon the VAR.

:cool:

The desperate pleading of the commentary team to find incident in everything is so tiresome.

This has lapsed into a dreadful game. Not sure it ever wasn't really but it's just so bitty. Come on Arsenal.

A couple of things.

Arsenal are so prone to a fuck up. They seem to lack concentration so often.

I did not realise how average Jorginho is. Offers so little.

Fuck's sake.

What are Arsenal's defenders up to?

Too easy for City there.

Fair play, that's a great goal. I'm blaming Niko for being on Arsenals side.

I never really thought Arsenal could keep it up [their luck has been unbelievable - cf that disallowed penalty] but at the same time I didn't think they'd fold so quickly. I guess City could fuck things up but this result [if it stays like this] feels like it would be fairly major [at least until City are relegated/docked 400 points].

I think people were slightly overrating the idea that 5 points was this insurmountable gap for City before even factoring in that we still have a game against City to go after this.

City to win it, do the open-top bus parade and then get docked 87 points and get relegated

Do these Refs have it in their contract that their job is to agree with the on pitch decision no matter what it is?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

Do these Refs have it in their contract that their job is to agree with the on pitch decision no matter what it is?

---

Both the pet ref and the commentary team have been at pains to back every decision. That would have obviously been even more ridiculous, but I'm amazed Richard Masters wasn't on the blower to Stockley Park to make the league more interesting.

Oh dear.

Bellingham is having a risible game and should have been sent off for two yellows, second one (not awarded) was far worse than the first which was.

He just looks so angry all the time. Needs to calm down.

Emre Can has been wheeled out and almost immediately brushing with dismissal as well.

I'd obviously completely missed Scott Parker becoming the Bruges manager. What's that all about?

Deeply, deeply fortuitous goal for Dortmund. We are much the better side.

How many teams are going to concede from their own corner before realising you cannot leave 1 person back on their own.

Adeyemi is fackin rapid though

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Deeply, deeply fortuitous goal for Dortmund. We are much the better side.

---

Only you could call a player carrying it three quarters of the length of the pitch, cleanly skinning a defender and rounding the keeping "fortuitous" :D

Chilwell our best player by miles, can we really not give him another 20 here and play Cucurella at the weekend in the irrelevant league.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Only you could call a player carrying it three quarters of the length of the pitch, cleanly skinning a defender and rounding the keeping "fortuitous" :D

---

It was a fluke breakaway from a defensive set piece after we had dominated the entire half, and their main player should have seen red.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Chilwell our best player by miles, can we really not give him another 20 here and play Cucurella at the weekend in the irrelevant league.

---

No idea why Lewis Hall has been kicked out and behind Cucurella after upstaging him multiple times.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

It was a fluke breakaway from a defensive set piece after we had dominated the entire half, and their main player should have seen red.

---

You get away with it because you're quite placid about it, but you're the most biased and delusional fan on here.

Pot kettle lad.

Chelsea game sounds a bit classic Potter. Always finding a way to somehow not score.

Our ball striking is so bad. Everything else, best for months. Potter is turning this around.

Think we'll turn this around at home without their corny fans influencing the referee. They are laughably wide open at the back, all the time.

Chelsea’s composure in front of goal is amazing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Chelsea game sounds a bit classic Potter. Always finding a way to somehow not score.

---

Does he just not have shooting practice? It's like the entire team just can't hit it with power anymore.

Such a horribly stressful and frustrating team to watch at the moment. Getting better all the time, vastly the better side tee to green in this match, but you just have to accept we're probably not getting more than 10 goals total for the rest of the season.

Get Ivan Toney in if he’s not banned for too long.

Chelsea should batter Dortmund in the return leg but they just don’t ever score more than once. I think they’ve only done it against Bournemouth at home since the start of October

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Get Ivan Toney in if he’s not banned for too long.

Chelsea should batter Dortmund in the return leg but they just don’t ever score more than once. I think they’ve only done it against Bournemouth at home since the start of October

---

Against good teams the possible results are 0-1 or 0-0, against bad teams 1-1 or 1-0.

The Continent with the Premier League firmly on the ropes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Does he just not have shooting practice? It's like the entire team just can't hit it with power anymore.

---

I haven't seen much of his Chelsea side, but at Brighton I always felt one of the biggest 'problems' was not committing enough players to attack/getting enough players into dangerous positions - sort of an innate conservatism linked to the maintaining of possession and the way the team was set-up/the type of players picked. I think you can see this with the way that 'RDZ' has come in and changed things up [although I have no idea if there is a statistical improvement in Brighton goals between the two]. There was obviously also a quality of players problem, to an extent, which I thought might be addressed at Chelsea [although from the outside this lot look a bit of a ragtag bunch] but his Brighton team always felt like it was on the cusp of an 8 game run without a goal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Against good teams the possible results are 0-1 or 0-0, against bad teams 1-1 or 1-0.

---

Worst team in the league at home on Saturday to test the theory. If Chukwuemeka doesn’t start, we riot.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

I haven't seen much of his Chelsea side, but at Brighton I always felt one of the biggest 'problems' was not committing enough players to attack/getting enough players into dangerous positions - sort of an innate conservatism linked to the maintaining of possession and the way the team was set-up/the type of players picked. I think you can see this with the way that 'RDZ' has come in and changed things up [although I have no idea if there is a statistical improvement in Brighton goals between the two]. There was obviously also a quality of players problem, to an extent, which I thought might be addressed at Chelsea [although from the outside this lot look a bit of a ragtag bunch] but his Brighton team always felt like it was on the cusp of an 8 game run without a goal.

---

We've been like that at times but with James/Chilwell have looked a lot more progressive. These are all quality players, but they've been bought as a baseball style investment project to have a run at the league in maybe 24-25 and thereafter. No interest in winning now and frankly no intention to win now. It's something that a lot of our fans (including me) and the media are really going to have to get their heads around because it's not the way club football has traditionally worked at all.

They left our one experienced number nine out of the squad for the CL which demonstrates better than anything that they aren't bothered about basically any result for the rest of this season. The hard part is when you ask fans to buy into that, or carry on watching.

It also makes me wonder if Boehly is all in on a superleague. In fact, it makes me quite sure that he is.

The Aubameyang thing is just really weird because they literally didn’t have to unregister him as could have punted their 3rd choice keeper and added the dev squad keeper to the ‘b’ list. Which they ended up doing anyway since Mendy is still injured.

He’s shite but at least he resembles a striker. Havertz just plays scared and spent half the game running back to full back to try make up for losing the ball.

Sky Sports News' 'Shebahn Aherne' asks "is Graham Potter really the right man for the job at Chelsea?"

:happycry:

This feels like the first era of Chelsea being a truly big team. Back in the day they could go through a poor run of form and it wouldn't be the top story in the running order but now it does. Chelsea Twitter is starting to pay off.

Good to see in the BBC gossip column today that

Quote:

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Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has met with Paris St-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi in Paris to discuss a possible summer transfer move for 31-year-old Brazil forward Neymar.

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Not sure I can imagine a less Potter player.

I also liked the wording of this:

Quote:

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Bayern Munich have carried out internal analysis that has identified 29-year-old England striker Harry Kane, whose contract at Tottenham runs out in summer 2024, as the ideal striker for the German club to sign.

---

Vorsprung Ducht Research

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Against good teams the possible results are 0-1 or 0-0, against bad teams 1-1 or 1-0.

---

2 goals from last 18 ‘big chances’. Offft. At least there’s creativity there now unlike the past 12 months.

Lots of stuff coming out of Qatar this evening saying they've all but agreed to buy United.

Blergh.

Hopefully some Iranians buy Liverpool then.

The Iranian(s) is moving for Tottenham.

I don't think anyone will be buying Liverpool any time soon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Lots of stuff coming out of Qatar this evening saying they've all but agreed to buy United.

Blergh.

---

Blergh indeed. We'll see how I feel if it actually happens but I reckon I'm probably done if that goes ahead.

Will the fans kick off like they did with the Glazers?

I imagine some will, loads won't care either way, loads will just be glad of the money coming in.

What kind of kick off time for a game in Spain is 5:45pm?

I feel like United have often got those in Spain, though I might just be thinking of one and it's the only one I remember.

Marcos Alonso at CB, lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Marcos Alonso at CB, lol.

---

He'll be alright, it'll take Weghorst 30 minutes to even get to their centre halves.

Weghorst is playing deeper for some reason with Rashford up top...

There's some serious butchering of the name Araujo going on here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Weghorst is playing deeper for some reason with Rashford up top...

---

He shifted to that position against Leeds for the period where we scored both our goals.

Is that a) because he actually somehow becomes useful there b) coincidence / in spite of his continued presence or c) just because he was out of the way and better players could get to attacking?

I noticed him drop deeper but certainly didn't notice him doing anything particularly effective but maybe I wasn't paying enough attention.

Both teams full of mistakes, both teams could've scored, Barca probably marginally better on balance. Quite entertaining.

Fred the mong.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Lots of stuff coming out of Qatar this evening saying they've all but agreed to buy United.

Blergh.

---

I saw my mate
The other day
He said to me
That it's haram to be gay

It's not actually pronounced A-rah-oo-ho right? It can't be?

What a finish.

Fuck's sake my stream is about 2 minutes behind Mahow's. See you at full time.

Fuck Barca :cool:

Barca look pretty shaky right now.

That's a pen.

Hopefully this means Real are actually total bobbins as well, but I fear they have more of a champion mentality. This Barcelona team looks a bit like Spain [albeit a worse version] where there is a lot of expectation being heaped on young shoulders.

Outside the box actually.

Rashford's going to ruin us in 10 days. :(

Proper game this.

Good game. Ref absolutely shit. Barcelona should've had a penalty for Fred's handball and Kounde should've been sent off for the foul when Rashford was clean through.

That Ocampos strike is outrageous.

Qatar or some lol wealth fund buying United is an interesting one because they are an established club that don't need City, PSG, Newcastle style 'financial doping', so what do they contribute to claim their share of any reflected glory if they merely spend the money that would have otherwise gone on debt re-payments (and a bit on top)? My guess would be one of those ridiculous NFL-style stadiums.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

Qatar or some lol wealth fund buying United is an interesting one because they are an established club that don't need City, PSG, Newcastle style 'financial doping', so what do they contribute to claim their share of any reflected glory if they merely spend the money that would have otherwise gone on debt re-payments (and a bit on top)? My guess would be one of those ridiculous NFL-style stadiums.

---

Yeah they'll invest a load into the stadium, facilities and "surrounding area".

Quote:

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For the 1996–97 season the new name of Newcastle Falcons and new black-and-white colours were adopted, after local businessman Sir John Hall took control and attempted to create a sporting club in Newcastle that would emulate the success of the Barcelona model. The four teams that made up that sporting club were the football team, nicknamed the Magpies, the Newcastle Eagles basketball team, the Newcastle Cobras (later Riverkings, Jesters, Vipers) ice hockey team and the Newcastle Falcons rugby union team.

---

I still think this was a daft thing to do, even then. Man Utd could pull something like that together.

The Lister Storm hardly set the racing world on fire either.

The Spotify camp nou is some stadium inside. Looks bang average outside.

Thought that was the best I've seen United play away at a top Spanish team in twenty years or so. We absolutely terrorised them at times and the effort second half was sensational. I wouldn't be surprised if we slump v Leicester. The ref was shit

I hadn't appreciated that Liverpool are the only side to have beaten Newcastle in the league this season. How has that happened? 11 draws out of 22 games as well is some going.

That was a flukey 96th minute goal from a corner as well. Botman is a proper plur

United still vulnerable at the back until they bring in decent defensive signings in the summer. Could have been 3-0 down by half time if Leeds could finish on Sunday.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lofty

United still vulnerable at the back until they bring in decent defensive signings in the summer. Could have been 3-0 down by half time if Leeds could finish on Sunday.

---

We weren't playing either of our starting centre backs. We need better depth - the drop off in most areas from first XI to backups is shocking - but our starting back 4 are excellent.

Exactly. It's hardly surprising that we're shaky with Malacia - Shaw - Maguire - Wan-Bissaka as the back line compared to Shaw - Martinez - Varane - Dalot. We're also infinitely more solid with Casemiro, who was also out against Leeds.

Malacia offers a lot going forward though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

Malacia offers a lot going forward though.

---

Scoring or assisting don't actually matter provided you're chaotic mate.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Exactly. It's hardly surprising that we're shaky with Malacia - Shaw - Maguire - Wan-Bissaka as the back line compared to Shaw - Martinez - Varane - Dalot. We're also infinitely more solid with Casemiro, who was also out against Leeds.

---

The back four who shipped 2 against Leeds then? Though I accept Casemiro was out for that and the Arsenal match. 8 conceded in the last 6 PL games. Surely there are upgrades available at full back and goalkeeper in the transfer market?

Everton are assessing Calvert-Lewin's car and mattress after his latest injury :D

Hey that's not funny. I've had a bad hip from the car and a bad shoulder from the mattress. :D

It is both amazing and completely unsurprising that a football club will pay millions of pounds to someone for their athletic prowess and then not take even the most basic precautions against injury.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lofty

The back four who shipped 2 against Leeds then? Though I accept Casemiro was out for that and the Arsenal match. 8 conceded in the last 6 PL games. Surely there are upgrades available at full back and goalkeeper in the transfer market?

---

I'm not saying nobody in the first choice back line can possibly be improved, but that's different to being "vulnerable". The first choice back 5 is very good. De Gea obviously needs replacing but he's genuinely been a lot better this season. Martinez and Varane are as good as you can get. Are there many left backs available who are a big upgrade on Shaw? Dalot is the other obvious one but even he's been enormously better than previous seasons.

A top class striker and midfielder should and will be top of our shopping list. Then it's about getting rid of the shite and improving the squad so there's not an enormous step down in quality as soon as certain players are out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Disco

It is both amazing and completely unsurprising that a football club will pay millions of pounds to someone for their athletic prowess and then not take even the most basic precautions against injury.

---

Daniel Sturridge wasn’t allowed to do PE in school in case he got a career ending injury, and look how that panned out.

Let's talk rustproofing . . .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

I'm not saying nobody in the first choice back line can possibly be improved, but that's different to being "vulnerable". The first choice back 5 is very good. De Gea obviously needs replacing but he's genuinely been a lot better this season. Martinez and Varane are as good as you can get. Are there many left backs available who are a big upgrade on Shaw? Dalot is the other obvious one but even he's been enormously better than previous seasons.

A top class striker and midfielder should and will be top of our shopping list. Then it's about getting rid of the shite and improving the squad so there's not an enormous step down in quality as soon as certain players are out.

---

Luke Shaw is a myth. He’s ok but nothing better than that and he is not good enough to be Manchester United’s first choice left-back. As long as they have him in the team they will always have a problem.

He was very good for England at the World Cup, but I think that's more telling of Southgates England than anything else.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

He was very good for England at the World Cup, but I think that's more telling of Southgates England than anything else.

---

Same as Maguire looks ok in that team as well. They will always look ok in limited defensive teams.

Soccer is back tonight :drool:

I'm Luke Shaw's second biggest hater after Jose Mourinho, and he's been absolutely fine this season. I'm not saying you couldn't improve on him, but it would be well down the list of priorities. I also don't think Dave Gayer needs canning unless somebody really, really shit hot is available to take his place. His distribution is more than adequate now that he has competent and/or confident receivers in front of him. He just looked hopeless passing it to Chris Smalling or Harry Maguire and then having to panic as they stand on the ball looking for options beyond whoever was at right-back.

Kvaratskhelia at it again.

Osimhen is ridiculous. I'd be moving heaven and earth to buy him in the summer.

I'm sure Qatar will.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Luke Emia

Luke Shaw is a myth. He’s ok but nothing better than that and he is not good enough to be Manchester United’s first choice left-back. As long as they have him in the team they will always have a problem.

---

To be completely honest, even after a decade of watching Luke Shaw, I still have no real idea how good he is.

Seems a bid of about £5bn has gone in from Qatar. Nobody is matching that.

Was big Jim just hoping to roll up with a lowball offer then? He seems to be worth enough if he cares enough.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Manc

Osimhen is ridiculous. I'd be moving heaven and earth to buy him in the summer.

---

The top clubs could do a lot worse than putting together a massive double deal for him and Kvara.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ian

Was big Jim just hoping to roll up with a lowball offer then? He seems to be worth enough if he cares enough.

---

Nah, I think he's willing to pay a fair price. He's just not willing to entertain the laughable valuation the Glazers are asking for, whereas the Qataris don't care.

Jim Ratcliffe is supposedly depending on external financing, so, other than him not taking any dividends or whatever, it's hard to see how that represents a massive improvement on the current ownership. Throw the looming spectre of Dave Brailsford into the mix and it is conceivably worse.

Unfortunately it was always going to be human rights abusers. I wonder how things would have been different had Rupert Murdoch bought them all those years ago, or if Sir Alex Ferguson hadn't been a greedy cunt about that horse.

The people with money enough to buy your big clubs 10+ years ago, you'd maybe be lucky and get a nice successful businessman, though they are rare in themselves, but they'd be at least morally questionable.

The people with money enough to buy them now are not going to be nice people no matter where they're from.

On the way to the game the other day it came up how we would feel if Liverpool were taken over by Saudi, Qatar, Dubai or the like and I was the only one who said it wasn’t really for me and that I don’t know how I would handle it but that at the very least I didn’t think I would go to games anymore. Everyone else just felt it was a way to try and win things.

Speaking to United fans I know(the office below us is full or them) they all don’t seem bothered either about the moral side of it. I find it strange personally but maybe I’m just turning into a lefty bitch in my old age.

I couldn’t care less who owns Liverpool.

Premier League should never have let this happen. There will be premier league games played in the dirt within ten years.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

To be completely honest, even after a decade of watching Luke Shaw, I still have no real idea how good he is.

---

Nothing that’s the problem. Maguire and De Gea are bigger problems if you want to play progressive football but he’s the next biggest issue.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Premier League should never have let this happen. There will be premier league games played in the dirt within ten years.

---

Yep, the league is not far from completely jumping the shark.

I don't think it's any great mystery with Shaw. If he's happy and motivated he's probably on average a.... 7.5/10 left back? Maybe an 8? That ballpark anyway. But he absolutely needs a manager to back him and keep his 7 brain cells in harmony. When you've got a cunt like Mourinho coating him off in public and whatever he goes to bits.

At least we can look forward to a lengthy Gary Lineker thinkpiece at the start of every single MotD from now on.

Three sovereign wealth funds duking it out at the top of the league is pretty much the death of football.

I'm theoretically fine with it if they don't treat it like a vanity project. Unfortunately, vanity is all the gulf states have. I'm terrified of the day Bin Salman has Amanda Staveley bumped off.

https://i.imgur.com/KkUq4lg.jpg

The frontman appears to be that bloke (on the right). Probably the moment he decided to do it.

I'll always love that photo. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

https://i.imgur.com/KkUq4lg.jpg

The frontman appears to be that bloke (on the right). Probably the moment he decided to do it.

---

Definitely not linked to the state then.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Luke Emia

Nothing that’s the problem. Maguire and De Gea are bigger problems if you want to play progressive football but he’s the next biggest issue.

---

Maguire is like 5th choice, he hardly plays.

Ratcliffe's bid has gone in. God I hope he wins. I don't even care if he ends up being no better than the Glazer's, virtually anything is better than having Qatar/Saudi/UAE.

Are the likes of us sufficiently involved to be getting all pissy about filthy owners? I mean, it isn't ideal; but I'm thirty-five and I don't go to games. What else am I going to watch if I throw the burka in?

Wheelchair Rugby.

I can understand it if you're some fucking local that lives within a stone's throw of the stadium but these reddit mongs giving it the big :( are lol.

You want good clean shit to support, take up a Brighton/Brentford season ticket. Proper disruptors truly seeing what the ceiling is (if any) :cool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

Are the likes of us sufficiently involved to be getting all pissy about filthy owners? I mean, it isn't ideal; but I'm thirty-five and I don't go to games. What else am I going to watch if I throw the burka in?

---

Your hardcore fans are some of the most organised and vocal. I don’t see how they don’t heavily protest against a potential Qatari state ownership.

GLAZERS IN etc

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ben

Your hardcore fans are some of the most organised and vocal. I don’t see how they don’t heavily protest against a potential Qatari state ownership.

---

Haven't ownership protests always related to the financial and sporting side, which presumably won't be an issue under Middle Eastern ownership? They aren't Amnesty International.

As I expertly demonstrated for twenty years, one can disagree with the moral tenor of the ownership but continue to support the team because they're your team. I know we're in a puritanical era but there is nuance to these things. Manchester United are simutaneously a PLC, a social institution, a footballing institution and a men's first team, and the fan can and will have different relationships with each of those aspects of the club.

Where I would criticise some fanbases (particularly Newcastle in recent times, but also Chelsea and others) is in trying to imagine that no such nuances exist when it comes to their favourite club, and that the fan must be all in or not be a fan at all.

Christian Atsu is dead.

Bugger. :(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

As I expertly demonstrated for twenty years, one can disagree with the moral tenor of the ownership but continue to support the team because they're your team. I know we're in a puritanical era but there is nuance to these things. Manchester United are simutaneously a PLC, a social institution, a footballing institution and a men's first team, and the fan can and will have different relationships with each of those aspects of the club.

Where I would criticise some fanbases (particularly Newcastle in recent times, but also Chelsea and others) is in trying to imagine that no such nuances exist when it comes to their favourite club, and that the fan must be all in or not be a fan at all.

---

I think this is all fine, but also people should just go with their gut.

If you're having to justify it to yourself one way or the other then the thing is probably already either a bit tarnished in your mind or you realise you don't care. I've no idea if, when the news is announced, I'll think "nah I'm done." I might, but if I do I might then decide I miss watching the team enough to rationalise it per the above a bit further down the line. But other than either of the extremes (everything is acceptable because we might win x% more matches per year / everybody involved is now automatically evil) there's really not a right or a wrong way to feel about it.

I personally find the line of "it's My Team therefore I care less about what they may be contributing to, not more" line of thinking a bit "la la la, I'm not listening" but ultimately these things are going to happen so why get exercised about it? If it'll make the average fan happier to still pretend everything is hunky dory then crack on.

Kiko's burning his memorabilia as we speak.

He's a Frankfurt fan now. Go Sausage.

Arsenal and bottling it, how strange.

Lol at that opener.

Everton broke Arsenal. They’re gonna do a Spurs and finish 3rd in a 2 man race. :lol:

Gerrard was a shit manager, but he was spot on with Mings. Awful defender.

That's a lovely goal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Arne

Gerrard was a shit manager, but he was spot on with Mings. Awful defender.

---

He must just shit the bed whenever he’s on TV as he’s always absolutely awful whenever I watch him but Villa fans seem to rate him highly

Is Tom Hanks making a Philadelphia sequel?

Does the 6 second rule for keepers no longer exist?

Jesus. Just when you thought Arsenal had it cracked.

I had no idea you could play 12:30 on Saturday after playing Wednesday evening so I’m just tuning in now.

I see Lee Mason got the sack which is very funny.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

I had no idea you could play 12:30 on Saturday after playing Wednesday evening so I’m just tuning in now.

---

Saw Arteta complaining about this. City and Chelsea (were away in Germany presumably until very late on Wednesday) are both playing at 3pm today after Wednesday matches. Would the extra 2.5 hours really make a huge difference? There is the general complaint that 12.30 games are usually crap, although that doesn’t apply in this case as this is a bit of a humdinger.

Love a goal like that.

I'm pretty sure that's actually offside unless where the ball is placed on the little corner triangle always counts as on the goal-line.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CJay

Saw Arteta complaining about this. City and Chelsea (were away in Germany presumably until very late on Wednesday) are both playing at 3pm today after Wednesday matches. Would the extra 2.5 hours really make a huge difference? There is the general complaint that 12.30 games are usually crap, although that doesn’t apply in this case as this is a bit of a humdinger.

---

It's just been so long since we've been out of the Champions League I just assumed the rules meant you play Sunday.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CJay

Saw Arteta complaining about this. City and Chelsea (were away in Germany presumably until very late on Wednesday) are both playing at 3pm today after Wednesday matches. Would the extra 2.5 hours really make a huge difference? There is the general complaint that 12.30 games are usually crap, although that doesn’t apply in this case as this is a bit of a humdinger.

---

Managers have been complaining about this sort of thing since the dawn of time, it must fall somewhere in between getting excuses in early / creating a siege mentality in the dressing room / the elite sportsman being a natural crybaby diva, or a combination of all the above.

I think it particularly affects foreign managers, as in other countries the schedule tends to be designed to favour the big clubs, which doesn't really happen here.

My biggest takeaway from this game is that Ben White wears his socks extremely high.

That Odegaard miss will haunt me.

I still cannot believe they took Jorginho. Utter madness.

He’s been largely fine and with Partey out we’d be playing some 17 year old with a double barrelled surname I’ve never heard of.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Arsenal and bottling it, how strange.

---

:happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry: :happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry: :happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry: :happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry: :happycry::happycry::happycry:

I'm not watching and it just says 90+3 E.Martinez on soccerway, has he defected mid-match?

Hits the crossbar and deflects in off Handcock.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I'm not watching and it just says 90+3 E.Martinez on soccerway, has he defected mid-match?

---

Jorginho with a screamer that hit the bar and bounced in off Martinez' back.

Sir Henry Winter's just tweeted 'Jorginho knows how to win' in praise of it, he and I are going to the death on this one.

In other news, we have selected a centre forward. Coming from Norwegian football makes him ineligible fo the Operation too, so nothing can touch as now.

Richard Keys will be fuming but I love him.

View Tweet

Can't be giving JWP any chance from a free kick.

Potter :lol:

This will end in a dodgy penalty to them, but City wobbling?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

:happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry: :happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry: :happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry: :happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry::happycry: :happycry::happycry::happycry:

---

Much rather you lot win then City.

Sadly I turned it off just before the two goals at the end.

Chris Wood. :cool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

This will end in a dodgy penalty to them, but City wobbling?

---

They’ve been wobbling all season. Would have been lovely if they could have been this shite last season.

He's taken Foden off for Ake when in desperate need of a goal too.

Tabloids to be plastered with Wood, Forest, Tricky Trees based puns tomorrow

4 wins in 20 for Mr Potter. 3 of them at home to Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Zagreb. The other was away to Salzburg. If he loses to Spurs next week there’s surely no way back for him (if he even lasts until then)

Well that's Leeds in the relegation zone, and I don't see us getting out again.

De Zerbi shown a red card after the match is quality levels of seethe.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ian

I think this is all fine, but also people should just go with their gut.

If you're having to justify it to yourself one way or the other then the thing is probably already either a bit tarnished in your mind or you realise you don't care. I've no idea if, when the news is announced, I'll think "nah I'm done." I might, but if I do I might then decide I miss watching the team enough to rationalise it per the above a bit further down the line. But other than either of the extremes (everything is acceptable because we might win x% more matches per year / everybody involved is now automatically evil) there's really not a right or a wrong way to feel about it.

I personally find the line of "it's My Team therefore I care less about what they may be contributing to, not more" line of thinking a bit "la la la, I'm not listening" but ultimately these things are going to happen so why get exercised about it? If it'll make the average fan happier to still pretend everything is hunky dory then crack on.

---

Saw a decent amount last night who were very happy that we're about be bought by a petro state. Personally, i find it absolutely shit and I have no intention to go cock end balls out defending them.

Is Stone Cold Steve Austin doing the headlines for the Guardian today?

https://i.imgur.com/dUBn0ZA.png

Also Dundee United second goal conceded after a lovely curler to equalise 30 seconds before is proper modern football. Keeper plays to centre back, back to goal, back to the keeper who gets tackled into the goal. Just get rid you daft bastard.

Alisson Becker. One of the best to ever do it.

Look at that horrific goalkeeper mistake to let that in.

The terrible first touch accidentally bouncing off himself and back into his path :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

The terrible first touch accidentally bouncing off himself and back into his path :D

---

That’s exactly what I thought. The commentators were having a wank over it, but it looked - at first glance - like a bad touch that came off himself.

We are going to bum Newcastle ffs.

Pope. :D

I'm nostalgic for this shitshow.

Pope you mong.

Oh dear oh dear.

Pope missing the league cup final, and Dubravka can’t (?) play. Most excellent.

Tries to pick it up and then twats Trippier. Special effort.

Karius in the cup final?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Karius in the cup final?

---

:D

Even better

I'd have him in there instead of Gillesphie.

3rd goal is needed to just kill this off.

Speaking of goalkeeping fuck ups, I’d missed this one last night. Horrendous.

View Tweet

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kikó

Saw a decent amount last night who were very happy that we're about be bought by a petro state. Personally, i find it absolutely shit and I have no intention to go cock end balls out defending them.

---

I asked sean for his thoughts and he said he isn't worried because The Game is Gone anyway. We might be wise to ignore the people who think football is about football and know nothing about football.

Just back from watching Southend quite possibly for the last time. 10 winding up petitions in 8 years, but after Covid and relegation out of the Football League this one feels terminal to be honest.

The debt is "only" £1.4 million as well. Peanuts in the football world.

Fuck sake.

The least they could've done was throw the game for Gateshead. :(

Liverpool only 6 points behind Newcastle with a game in hand. We’re gonna have City still walk to the title and Liverpool finish top 4.

Are Liverpool mathematically out of winning it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Are Liverpool mathematically out of winning it?

---

There's 15/16 games left, not even last place are mathematically out of winning it.

Strange game that one. Two very well worked goals then a braindead moment from Pope. Then we just seemed to stop bothering until about the 80th minute. Could have scored another 4 after that too.

The front line is at last starting to click with the two new lads in it. Van Dijk didn't quite look ready for this game but was still a vast improvement on Matips recent outings.
Fabinho still trying to find his feet I feel.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

There's 15/16 games left, not even last place are mathematically out of winning it.

---

Never dreamt there were that many to go. Is that because of the World Cup?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

The least they could've done was throw the game for Gateshead. :(

---

On the subject of Gateshead, I saw the fans waiting for the coach and they were the most unfortunate looking people I have ever seen. It was like a League of Gentlemen scene. What on earth is going on up there?

Yep. And we lost a weekend due to the dead Majesty.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

There's 15/16 games left, not even last place are mathematically out of winning it.

---

Yes they are. Arsenal might lose every game but somebody has to get those points.

Why can't Dubravka play next week? Is he cup tied?

Absolute robbery at the Amex today. Ref was a total disgrace [although I think he got the major incident penalty claim correct] - had no control at all. Proper Potter era performance. Anyone who presses Brighton are absolute mongs. Fulham tried it for about 10 minutes and were cut to bits. If you just stand off them and keep 11 men in your half they're not nearly as good. Oh for a top class 9 and 10. What did Di Zerbi do after the game to get sent off? The massive Di Zerbi flag thing they have in the north stand is quality.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

On the subject of Gateshead, I saw the fans waiting for the coach and they were the most unfortunate looking people I have ever seen. It was like a League of Gentlemen scene. What on earth is going on up there?

---

Dunno. I'm just glad my mam's from Newcastle to take some of the edge off. And I saw an orthodontist early.

Is there a different rule in England compared to Scotland with red cards? Someone got sent off in the Scottish cup last weekend and was fine to play the next game in the league.

I just assumed it was Violent Conduct that counted for all competitions

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

Yes they are. Arsenal might lose every game but somebody has to get those points.

---

Actually this is wrong. You could have everyone below Newcastle draw every game with the top three losing every game and it would work I think.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

Yes they are. Arsenal might lose every game but somebody has to get those points.

---

Of course, you are right, I'm dumb.

Edit: or not? Idk I cba to do the maths.

It’s ok, I don’t think Southampton are going to go on that kind of a run anyway.

Tonight's result was always gonna be the same as the final. Regretting those flights now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Absolute robbery at the Amex today. Ref was a total disgrace [although I think he got the major incident penalty claim correct] - had no control at all. Proper Potter era performance. Anyone who presses Brighton are absolute mongs. Fulham tried it for about 10 minutes and were cut to bits. If you just stand off them and keep 11 men in your half they're not nearly as good. Oh for a top class 9 and 10. What did Di Zerbi do after the game to get sent off? The massive Di Zerbi flag thing they have in the north stand is quality.

---

:drool:

Just an incredible day. How the fuck we've ended up 3 pts off the top 4 I'll never know but the seethe from Brighton fans has made it even sweeter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Just back from watching Southend quite possibly for the last time. 10 winding up petitions in 8 years, but after Covid and relegation out of the Football League this one feels terminal to be honest.

The debt is "only" £1.4 million as well. Peanuts in the football world.

Fuck sake.

---

How's whatsisname's hair looking?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ian

How's whatsisname's hair looking?

---

He hasn't been to a game for ages. There's been protests outside his house and all sorts.

Just FYI, I am expecting, nay DEMANDING, an Obituary for Southend United in the March thread.

Non-league fans don't fuck about. It's all they have.

Massive fan of Southampton's caretaker wearing a suit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

He hasn't been to a game for ages. There's been protests outside his house and all sorts.

Just FYI, I am expecting, nay DEMANDING, an Obituary for Southend United in the March thread.

---

Noted.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ben

Massive fan of Southampton's caretaker wearing a suit.

---

Genuinely just assumed he'd be helping for a couple of games till I saw him in the suit, now I say give him the job full time.

Only over options seems to be Lampard, Gerrard or Rooney.

Allardyce. :nodd:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thommo

:drool:

Just an incredible day. How the fuck we've ended up 3 pts off the top 4 I'll never know but the seethe from Brighton fans has made it even sweeter.

---

Pretty much the perfect away day for a fan.

Not sure Fulham came to shithouse [going off how mental Marco Silva seemed to be going the entire game] but that seemed to be the way it went.

Also not sure there was that much seethe other than at the ref, who was terrible. More exasperated resignation at yet another game following a similar pattern. I've noticed this year/season in particular, and it's probably a mark of respect to Brighton I guess, but the players being injured/time wasting has gone absolutely off the charts. There must have been nearing half a dozen player down stop the game interventions from the ref in each half [mostly but not all Fulham], none of which yielded any sort of actual injury. Arsenal were just as bad for it on New Years Eve, players just having a lie down all the time. There needs to be some way to stop players holding their heads/rolling around prostrate on the floor simply because a decision goes against them.

Eddie Howe saying ‘I thought the red card was harsh’ might be up there with biggest manager lies in a post match interview.

Get the knee in one last time before the Qataris start paying their wages.

What a save that is.

Leicester are all over us.

Casemiro is everything to this team.

Sabitzer is tidy but runs in treacle.

He's too fucking good these days.

Leicester the better team but Rashford's form at the moment is just silly.

Sir Rarcus Mashford :cool:

Man Utd scoring when getting battered. Usual under Ten Haag.

How does he not score there?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Man Utd scoring when getting battered. Usual under Ten Haag.

---

:happycry:

Rashford feeding all the kids today.

not to question THE LINES but that really looked off

I just assumed that with the rules as they are that wasn't getting given.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

not to question THE LINES but that really looked off

---

Yeah, he was miles off.

Var is always right.

I'm all for letting marginal decisions like that go.

Sir Marcus Rashford is shaping up to be my worst ever e-loss.

Best player in the world currently

I think ten Haag might have a clue on what he's doing.

I think I'm looking for something else to do next Sunday. Maybe I'll put in for the Leeds job.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

I'm all for letting marginal decisions like that go.

Sir Marcus Rashford is shaping up to be my worst ever e-loss.

---

I was up for selling him in the summer, but I was also dead right about him needing to simplify his game, so I am awarding myself an e-draw.

Scum are going to shit the league and we'll get relegated.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kikó

I think ten Haag might have a clue what he's doing.

---

It really does look like it, doesn't it. Didn't comment on it at the time, but agreed with what you said about the Barca game too, they were magnificent at times in that second half.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

It really does look like it, doesn't it. Didn't comment on it at the time, but agreed with what you said about the Barca game too, they were magnificent at times in that second half.

---

https://old.reddit.com/r/soccer/comm...chts_erik_ten/

This is quite an interesting read. I thought I posted it when he was rumoured to be taking over but doesn't look like I ever did.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

It really does look like it, doesn't it. Didn't comment on it at the time, but agreed with what you said about the Barca game too, they were magnificent at times in that second half.

---

He's also pretty ballsy when it comes to substitutes. The last 4-5 games in particular he's identified our weak point and changed it early. It helps that he's got Rashford bagging for fun but he's rebuilt him and others.

The Ronaldo thing was a gift for him. Gave him a chance and then was able to bin him. Looks the same for Sancho, Garnacho and Rashford as well. He's the boss, don't fuck about.

View Tweet

Stolen a result.

That Dalot chance must have been about 0.95 xG.

I'm trying to work out if relegation is possible. Probably not, but we have scored 23 goals in 23 games and our fans still haven't cottoned on to the fact that the ownership has no interest in improvement this season.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I'm trying to work out if relegation is possible. Probably not, but we have scored 23 goals in 23 games and our fans still haven't cottoned on to the fact that the ownership has no interest in improvement this season.

---

Still have to play all the big boys away from home as well. It’s on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I'm trying to work out if relegation is possible. Probably not, but we have scored 23 goals in 23 games and our fans still haven't cottoned on to the fact that the ownership has no interest in improvement this season.

---

Please tell me you're watching these games from a run down Colombian bar?

We've got a third of our points this season against Chelsea.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

Please tell me you're watching these games from a run down Colombian bar?

---

I'm not watching today, no. Next Saturday I'm transiting from Guayaquil to Viru Viru through Lima airport, so might be able to catch us vs Leeds if the timings work out.

Edit: oh no, it's Spurs on Sunday, 9.30am start Bolivian time. Might put that on to stress myself out over breakfast.

I'm still holding out for this to be one of those periodic blips where United do alright, generally in spite of their actual on pitch performances, where everything reverts to normal the following season whenever whatever freak occurence is at play [here Rashford, previously Fernandes] levels itself out.

The main cause for optimism is that the results are still coming despite the injuries and rotations. Other than those wacky 'LvG' games where he was playing all sorts of shit they have always felt like two big players being out spelled certain disaster.

Lol at this narrative we are winning despite being rubbish.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Lol at this narrative we are winning despite being rubbish.

---

Yeah, can't say I get it. You've been genuinely good from what I've seen and for quite some time now.

United haven't been rubbish, but teams seem to have been somewhat allergic to taking any chances against them, particularly whilst the game is in the balance.

They weren't rubbish when Fernandes was goal contributing like mad a few seasons ago either, but it turned out it wasn't sustainable.

Obviously the downfall requires things like spaffing a summer transfer budget on Harry Maguire as well.

I was genuinely shocked to find out Brereton Diaz is only 23. Thought it was a typo on the BBC Gossip page. I remember him being highly rated what seems like a long time ago now [at Forest?] so either he must have been about 16 at the time or my perception of the passage of time is shifting. Brighton should go for him in the summer, keep the South American connection going.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

The main cause for optimism is that the results are still coming despite the injuries and rotations. Other than those wacky 'LvG' games where he was playing all sorts of shit they have always felt like two big players being out spelled certain disaster.

---

Yep - Varane, Casemiro and Eriksen all out today and after a couple of early wobbles we absolutely fisted them

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64697235

Isn't his sister's birthday around this time of year?

I saw 'Arry linked with the Leeds's job the other day [some commute that would be] and if there's anything in that whatsoever [and god I hope there is] then surely he'd be more keen on another stint at West Ham when Davey Moyes gets the bullet. Bottom half of the table shaping up to be very interesting this year. G. Potter's Chelsea probably just about out of the relegation running.

March 10th so he's bang on schedule.

Utd are 3rd on xPTS, it's a well-deserved position they occupy. The unfortunate thing for them is they're over-reliant on an ageing Casemiro and think Trashford is capable of winming stuff at the top level. Garnacho is their only hope for some future success.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

Utd are 3rd on xPTS, it's a well-deserved position they occupy. The unfortunate thing for them is they're over-reliant on an ageing Casemiro and think Trashford is capable of winming stuff at the top level. Garnacho is their only hope for some future success.

---

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EZ5JJspWAAg9Sod.jpg

You can get 14/1 on United winning the league on Betfair Exchange. Not bad odds.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thommo

How the fuck we've ended up 3 pts off the top 4 I'll never know

---

That is madness.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EZ5JJspWAAg9Sod.jpg

---

https://i.imgur.com/brf3IU3.png

Keep calm and enjoy our performance on Tuesday.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

Keep calm and enjoy our performance on Tuesday.

---

Oh I'm sure I will.

https://youtu.be/PTZks07S35E

That Mbappe goal is incredible.

Being up 3-2 only for the Sporting Director to come into the dugout and berate everyone and lose 4-3 is proper heads gone shit.

You realise they won, ya?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

You realise they won, ya?

---

Lille won?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

Lille won?

---

It was Campos, the PSG Sporting Director, who came to the dugout and started shouting at the PSG players wasn't it? And PSG then won?

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footb...bappe-29255205

Quote:

---

The remarkable turnaround came after a bizarre appearance from sporting director Luis Campos, who left his seat in the stands to come down to the touchline alongside manager Christophe Galtier where he began screaming at the players and match officials in staggering scenes.

---

@phonics

Lille won. They now progress to face Chelsea in the final.

They were inspired by the balloon.

Balloon d'Or

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

It was Campos, the PSG Sporting Director, who came to the dugout and started shouting at the PSG players wasn't it? And PSG then won?

---

Oh wasn't there a Campos that used to work for Lille?

Yeah, same bloke.

Referee and 2 players having after him falling on their arses.

https://gyazo.com/de04e15d520e11968c381d6fdacc188b.gif

John Henry coming out and saying they're not selling, only looking for investment.

I'm sure that'll go down well.

Presumably what he means is no one's buying.

Postcode to be changed to LeBron4.

I'm sure that was the message to start with. The press were reporting that INVESTMENT = SALE? Presumably because they thought less involvement from Fenway would eventually see them sell up.

Sounds like Mount will probably be sold in the summer. :drool:

We've hired Javi Gracia it would seem. It's underwhelming but at the same time he's an actual football manager who wants to manager us, which is an instant improvement on the current situation. I feel like it's maybe not that bad when considering the pool of available options we had. I don't know really.

What was he like at Watford? I largely ignored the Premier League when we weren't in it so I've no idea. Somebody tell me everything is going to be OK.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64715588

Remember when they said they were going to do this in the men's game but bottled it after a week?

Reminds me of that recent clip of womens basketball on US television, and the commentator goes and now back to actual basketball and it returns to a mens game.

Neymar would barely play :drool:

Didn't they have a rule like that in Scottish Football?

Stevie (PS)G is apparently on the cards.

Tonight should be a tasty affair.

Yeah, first proper day of football since world cup. Give me that Darwin all-clear and some pre-match racist abuse of Vini and we're cooking.

I can’t get the Darwin Nunez song out my head.

I hate how likeable he is. Proper proper Timo Werner vibes and he was the greatest

Gomez over Matip?

Bajcetic is going to get schooled tonight.

Oh shit that's some goal. Fuck.

Look at that terrible goalkeeping once again. Or something about his first touch. Or tears.

Christ, they’re gonna win about 4-0 aren’t they

Hopefully more.

What the actual fuck?

Ahahahahahaha

:lol:

What a mess. Another slip in the build up to that. 5th or 6th slip already

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Oh I'm sure I will.

---

I am not enjoying it.

Vini :cool:

Goe Jomez

Alaba has been absolutely dreadful so far. Doesn’t have a clue what to do

Pretending he is injured now to save face

Alisson trying to make Courtois look good.

Ah fuck

Hahahahaha

That's about the third time I've seen Bajcetic lose the ball trying to do something more than just playing a simple pass to an open man.

Robertson saving Liverpool there.

We are unbelievably bad in defence. How do we nearly concede from a direct free kick 30 yards out. It’s like u16s football.

And we just don’t get close enough to Vinicius when he’s in the box.

Also not convinced by Bajcetic @Boydy. He’s done alright, but seems a little unsure of what to do with it half the time.

Fantastic game but the commentary for their second woke me up on the settee, so I’m off to bed. Hopefully wake up to BT highlights of a 6-3 stonker.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CJay

We are unbelievably bad in defence. How do we nearly concede from a direct free kick 30 yards out. It’s like u16s football.

And we just don’t get close enough to Vinicius when he’s in the box.

Also not convinced by Bajcetic @Boydy. He’s done alright, but seems a little unsure of what to do with it half the time.

---

He's got potential but I think he's a bit out of his depth tonight.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

That's about the third time I've seen Bajcetic lose the ball trying to do something more than just playing a simple pass to an open man.

---

Trust the gammons to wanna coach that out of him so they can have another fucking Harry Winks. Thiago would have been on the BT Sports couch by now if he developed in brexitball.

Alisson clearance is a little bad luck, the real question is what the fuck that fucking downey cunt was doing with his shit backpass.

God I love CL KOs.

Ah that's better.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

Trust the gammons to wanna coach that out of him so they can have another fucking Harry Winks. Thiago would have been on the BT Sports couch by now if he developed in brexitball.

Alisson clearance is a little bad luck, the real question is what the fuck that fucking downey cunt was doing with his shit backpass.

God I love CL KOs.

---

I don't want it coached out of him, I just don't think the champions league against Real Madrid is the right time for him to be experimenting.

:drool:

That defending, lol.

Needless freekick, atrocious defending. Fuck's sake.

Their mentality really is something else.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Beautiful.

That all stemmed from Bajcetic giving possession away cheaply again.

It's always Gomez.

And the deflection to take it in from Gomez.

Just *chef's kiss*.

Get both of them off to fuck.

This is right up there with the 2018 final. Strange turn of events.

Why did Nunez not fucking play it to Gakpo there?

Think Baz has it right with the 6-3.

Gomez is just not good enough, and hasn’t been since his good 4 months in 2019.

I knew I'd enjoy this.

I'm fucking loving this.

Taz, you good?

Regretting paying for the BT monthly pass now.

Liverpool have been absolutely fucking shambolic since the 10th minute. Only thing they’ve done since then is that fluke thanks to Courtois.

Proper joke of a midfield which probably isn’t helped by Fabinho and Henderson both playing right back to cover ‘Trent’

Alaba going off injured was a blessing in disguise for Real. That space Liverpool kept finding before he went off just hasn't been there since.

Lolol

Milner and Matip should have been on at half time for Bajcetic and Gomez.

Fuck me, it's Milner for Henderson.

Gosh, you absolutely hate to see it don't you?

McManaman daying Bajcetic was starting to give the ball away. Was the thick cunt even watching the game?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

Yeah, first proper day of football since world cup. Give me that Darwin all-clear and some pre-match racist abuse of Vini and we're cooking.

---

Lol

Fucking embarrassing.

https://www.thisisanfield.com/wp-con...ol_Hertha.jpeg

I'm gonna dance on the feckless mong's grave when he succumbs to whatever death early-onset dementia brings on him.

This "You'll Never Walk Alone" at 5-2 down is fucking tragic :lol:

Funeral atmosphere.

Wasn’t even Gomez at fault. Midfield got absolutely ran through and Van Dijk is as much of a horror show

We somehow won the game comfortably on xG. I don’t remember many good chances we missed. Only managed to post 0.07 in the second half though. :cab:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Wasn’t even Gomez at fault. Midfield got absolutely ran through and Van Dijk is as much of a horror show

---

Any time I’m asked about Liverpool’s problems the only apt comparison I can think of is that our midfield is like a sieve. Everyone just runs through us without any difficulties.

Sorry Taz :drool:

Quote:

---

Real Madrid have scored more goals in England in 2023 than Chelsea

---

Bangers everywhere tonight.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64717692

Brazil's Dani Alves has had a request to be released from jail on bail rejected by a Spanish court as an investigation into an alleged sexual assault continues.

Alves, 39, has been held since January over an allegation he assaulted a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in December. He denies any wrongdoing.

His lawyer had asked for him to be released if he surrendered his passport and wore an electronic tag.

The court rejected the request, saying it considered him to be a flight risk.

Has to be going down.

Speaking of Barca, is anything going to come from the £1m bribe to influence the refereeing?

Apparently in Spain if you cheat then so long as you don't get caught for 3 years, it's all good.

They've also been doing it since 2003.

Was listening to the game at work, I was hopeful after the first 15 mins or so, but then you have to remember that this is still mostly the team that have been recently spanked by Brighton and Brentford.

Most disappointing thing is 4 of the 5 goals are directly from mistakes. Poor touches from Bajcetic and Fabinho lead to two and Goe fucking Jomez provides further lols. Other than the one he caused, Alisson could do fuck all about any of the goals too.

Seems as if Real got to half time having sussed it out and came out ready in the second half. A shame, but to be expected given recent form when facing the best team on the planet.

I mean they found blood bags from the biggest doping doctor in the country labelled with player names and the court chose to burn them instead of investigate them. It’s a corrupt league.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CJay

We somehow won the game comfortably on xG. I don’t remember many good chances we missed. Only managed to post 0.07 in the second half though. :cab:

---

I would hold on to this. Ultimately, xG is much more meaningful than some arbitrary score at full time.

Unfortunately actual errors are more determinative than expected goals.

Joe Gomez's Ae are off the chart...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kikó

I would hold on to this. Ultimately, xG is much more meaningful than some arbitrary score at full time.

---

Was more commenting on the oddity of it as I couldn’t recall any serious chances we missed in the first half.

Looking forward to Leipzig tonight. No KDB for City.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Baz

Fantastic game but the commentary for their second woke me up on the settee, so I’m off to bed. Hopefully wake up to BT highlights of a 6-3 stonker.

---

Turns out this was an excellent decision.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CJay

Was more commenting on the oddity of it as I couldn’t recall any serious chances we missed in the first half.

Looking forward to Leipzig tonight. No KDB for City.

---

Shame Nkunku signed for Chelsea for this summer as he’s taken on the injury curse and looks like he’s got another muscle injury after being out for 2.5 months. He’d have had fun in behind that City defence.

Never mind, Turbo Timo loves the CL.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CJay

Was more commenting on the oddity of it as I couldn’t recall any serious chances we missed in the first half.

Looking forward to Leipzig tonight. No KDB for City.

---

You got a huge chunk of xg from the two close range blocks during the 6 yard box melee, and another from Salah's goal. Didn't really create much apart from that.

Neither did they.

Werner The Burner to run riot

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

Neither did they.

---

Well they created at least 5.

Oooo a whole five.

You don't need five chances to score five goals.

That's the problem with xG.

Most goals aren't 'likely' under the metric.

What

My point was that smacking one in from 30 yards gets you 1 goal, but about 0.05xG, so goals can occur without the statisticians thinking they were at all likely to happen [and those goals occur absent the existence of 'a chance'], and in fact most goals are xG 'unlikely' [but I suppose that depends on how you view the gamut of xG likelihood - I suppose 'likely' should start at about 0.4xG rather than 0.5xG as general probability would suggest].

This Man City game couldn’t be more boring.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

My point was that smacking one in from 30 yards gets you 1 goal, but about 0.05xG, so goals can occur without the statisticians thinking they were at all likely to happen [and those goals occur absent the existence of 'a chance'], and in fact most goals are xG 'unlikely' [but I suppose that depends on how you view the gamut of xG likelihood - I suppose 'likely' should start at about 0.4xG rather than 0.5xG as general probability would suggest].

---

I'm going to assume you're talking to some nerd rather than me who just replied to Taz saying they didn't create much with me pointing out that Liverpool conceded 5 goals.

City have been sleeping this half.

Gvardiol just absolutely dominated Ruben Dias there.

Leipzig much better this half, should go on and win this if they keep this up

Haaland should just bench himself when De Bruyne isn’t on the pitch because nobody else will be looking for him with a pass

All this relentless fucking whinging about Nick Pope. I hope he gets off and lets in 3 through his legs in the final.

That Barcelona team looks so average tonight. Surely they have someone better than fucking Sergi Roberto to play out wide

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

All this relentless fucking whinging about Nick Pope. I hope he gets off and lets in 3 through his legs in the final.

---

We won't appeal it. "It was an accident" doesn't really cover handling outside the box.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

That Barcelona team looks so average tonight. Surely they have someone better than fucking Sergi Roberto to play out wide

---

Gavi and Pedri both injured?

Torres and Fati on the bench, are they coming off injuries or something?

Pedri injured and assume Gavi is suspended. Fati is always injured so wouldn’t surprised if he’s not fit.

Could be 3 atb I guess but they usually play straight up 433

That should have been 1-0, poor from Bruno.

Nile Danger Ranger trending on Twitter in 2023. :cool:

View Tweet

:harold:

Fernandes misses a great chance to make it 1-0 and now gives away a penalty...

De Gea's wrists turn to mush during penalties.

Joke of a call, that.

Terrible first half.

Fred :cool:

What a lad.

Raphinha and Antony battling it out for who is the biggest joker.

Garnacho really pulling off that Tranny look he’s going for

Antony :cool:

Whose the joker now?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Raphinha and Antony battling it out for who is the biggest joker.

---

That was always going to happen. :D

Taz just collapsed through the ropes

This match is the perfect example of why I think Gareth Southgate is shit.

It seems like people haven’t cottoned on yet because he’s still a fresh kid who does some skills but Garnacho is a little cheating cunt. Blatant dives and/or play acting at least the last three or four times I’ve seen him.

5 minutes added:lol:

Ten Hag > Xavi.

Taz in the mud. :drool:

Ten Hag. :cool:

Relying on Eddie Howe to stop these on Sunday isn’t going to end well.

These mans getting hyped for beating that dogshit side with the favela Harvey Elliott even managing to find his level :happycry:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

These mans getting hyped for beating that dogshit side with the favela Harvey Elliott even managing to find his level :happycry:

---

Thiago played Tuesday mate

So satisfying shitting on those cheating, ref-bribing, Mes Que un Club cunts.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

These mans getting hyped for beating that dogshit side with the favela Harvey Elliott even managing to find his level :happycry:

---

That dogshit side are 8 points clear of the team that minced you lot 5-2 the other night :happycry:

Shaktar are bottling these pens.

3-1 up after 3 pens a piece and it's no into sudden death.

View Tweet

:lol:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64755067

The suit worked.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

View Tweet

:lol:

---

Instinctively knew where the goal was.

Kante back in first team training. He’s not trained since Tuchel was in charge. He’s probably confused as fuck at who everyone is.

Ten Haag yet again stepped up with his half time team talk and subs. He's getting them spot on every week at the moment. Antony is shit but he can hit the ball well. Garnacho's turn of pace late on was brilliant and his one two to nearly create a goal, superb.

Onto Seville.

Glad to inform you that Argentine TV's take on this is United won because 'Lisandro wants to win every match'.

Coincidentally it seems that Juve's win was all thanks to Di Maria and Roma's down to Dybala, what a night they must have had.

Not wrong.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kikó

Ten Haag yet again stepped up with his half time team talk and subs. He's getting them spot on every week at the moment. Antony is shit but he can hit the ball well. Garnacho's turn of pace late on was brilliant and his one two to nearly create a goal, superb.

Onto Seville.

---

Saw a couple of stats that we've had the most goals scored by substitutes and most goals in the last 15 minutes of any top European side this season

#FergieReborn

Taz is having his planet of the apes moment.

Don't mention apes around him.

View Tweet

:lol: fuck sake

Glad the swellings gone down.

View Tweet

The odds of him returning for pre-season training must be dropping by the day.

Coventry are looking very good in this game.

Sunderland are all over the place.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lewis

The odds of him returning for pre-season training must be dropping by the day.

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He's gonna Benoit them both.

Amad Diallo :drool:

What a finish.

This Arsenal game feels massively 'when, not if' which makes it feel like we're about to lose 1-0.

Chalking that Trossard goal off is a bit mental.

City look like they're in a fisting mood tonight.

The bottom half is a bit mad. Anyone up to Palace looks at risk.

Palace will be fine in a few hours. Everyone south of them looks like they could be in contention though.

Henderson-Milner-Keita midfield.

:happycry:

Has anyone done a bone scan on Fabinho? Is he actually 45?

Not a Nunez in sight. This could be very painful.

Probably not the worst thing, he'd only end up headbutting Anderson again. It'll probably end up an easy win [Palace doesn't seem to be the fortress it is in my mind and hasn't been for about 10 years] but it could equally go the other way. Looking at the teamsheet their team is pretty dire as well. Why this is being put into some sort of prime time advert for the Premier League spot god only knows.

Most of these lads https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumbayá_F.C. are chilling in the hotel lobby with me at the moment. I'll pass on any match fixing requests from the community.

Cumbaya, My Lord ... surely that's a chant they have.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Most of these lads https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumbayá_F.C. are chilling in the hotel lobby with me at the moment. I'll pass on any match fixing requests from the community.

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I assume you have tipped their manager off about that striker at Penarol [or wherever it was].

Sadly he's gone to Red Bull Bragantino, which must be about the most dystopian club that exists in the world. It's a small world on that front however as today's opponents for Cumbaya are of course:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guayaquil_City_F.C.

I think you meant to link to these cunts.

That badge. Dystopian indeed.

It's like a fake team in Pro Evo. :D