August football: Club football is BACK!

Of course if you're into your fitba then it was BACK already yesterday, with a bang as the mighty Academicals opened their Championship campaign by coming back from 4-0 down to snatch a point at Raith.

But this week it's ALL happening. It's Team Murica vs. Team Pepe in the Gold Cup final this evening, there's Olympic football semis and finals to look forward to, European qualifying, Europa Conference League games (!!!!), the weekend kicking off in style with FA Cup qualifying between New Salamis and Kensington & Ealing Borough and then the week after the Premier League makes its long-awaited-by-somebody-probably return with such treats as Brentford mugging off Arsenal on Friday the 13th, Norwich presumably taking their customary biffing off Liverpool on the 14th and Jack Grealish's Manchester City beating Sad Harry Kane's Tottingham on the 15th.

Football. Football! FOOTBALL!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF_uOgyBK1c

Yes mate.

At the height of ESL drama and lockdowm depression, strong words were said but let it be known, this love remains, at least for another season to provide some light relief from the monotony of life.

Mon :drool:

Good old football.

https://www.theguardian.com/football...a-city-manager

MK have just had a bit of a squad overhaul with about 10 new signings, lot of them no doubt buying into Martin's wank. I didn't keep a close eye on them but he never really excelled on results yet seems to have got a rep because he's i) young, ii) plays possessional football and iii) has long hair. Be interested to see who Winkleman has up his sleeve as a replacement, they did BLM before BLM was even a thing so I'm looking closely at that fat Chelsea bint.

'Mon Celtic!

:nono:

Ange sold out Lang Park 3 times for 3 grand final wins. :cool:

https://i.ibb.co/02DgJ4q/during-the-...at-Suncorp.jpg

Didn't even know the Gold Cup final was today. Thanks for the thread Ian.

If you Google Gold Cup you see not only that Team Pepe BOTTLED it (or y'know, just... lost) but also Google spaffing fireworks-y American flags all over your screen.

Probably paid a Mexican to do it and everything.

Went to bed after regulation time. They did, indeed, BOTTLE it. That US team was atrocious.

https://www.theguardian.com/football...ty-next-season

Whisper it you cunts but it seems like we might just have our game back :drool:

The scenes when a PENANDES dive doesn’t get overturned against Liverpool. :drool:

I'm off to watch THE MIGHTY BLADES play Birminghamon Saturday. Full stadium. Just don't give a fuck.

We won't have our game back until I've had it confirmed that contrasting shirts and shorts colours are back on the menu.

Celtic have signed thirty four year old Joe Hart on a three year deal.

He’ll probably do alright there.

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Originally Posted by Luca

The scenes when a PENANDES dive doesn’t get overturned against Liverpool. :drool:

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He's gonna struggle to get double-figures :happycry:

Bowez :cool:

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Should have won by more in the end.

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Originally Posted by Giggles

Bowez :cool:

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Should have won by more in the end.

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Ali Coote :cool:

He was meant to be the next best thing but couldn’t adapt to senior football. Just got bullied all the time by the hammer throwers. Nice to see him doing well

Man Utd’s coach pulled up and went into a restaurant I was walking past in Dundee lol. Very random

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Man Utd’s coach pulled up and went into a restaurant I was walking past in Dundee lol. Very random

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https://www.reddit.com/r/reddevils/c...t_andrews_and/

?

Greenwood getting a well done fillet steak.

It's been fun but it's time he left.

So many things are unsurprising on there, not the least of which is Jesse Lingard being a childlike fussy eater.

Only the Brits trust the sticky toffee pudding, with johnny foreigner sticking to his bland flan.

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

https://www.reddit.com/r/reddevils/c...t_andrews_and/

?

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What?

Luke Shaw getting 'fries and chips' and being too bloated for a pudding has set him back two years.

He’ll be going to Tesco across the road for some snacks on the coach home.

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

What?

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Was just curious if that was the same place you saw them.

Yeah, I was walking to the train station and wondered why there was a crowd of people either side of Forgans’ and then the coach pulled up. Could see Martial’s moody face a mile away.

I used to take all my Tinder dates to there, didn’t think it was good enough for millionaires though. That and there’s a Forgans in St Andrews

Rib of beef doesn't sound much of anything. Axel's getting his arse loaned to Antwerp forever with that appetite.

Also: the restaurant is opposite to wear Magic broke his jaw. So nice TTH Trivia for ya

Fernandes & Mata setting themselves apart with the starter.

Cheeseburger, halloumi fries and mac and cheese?

Normal bread clearly the winning option. Knowing Scotland that's probably some sort of elaborate toast.

Just bread with balsamic vinegar or olive oil

What an appetite Fat Luke has. Mason’s well-done steak transgression is rectified by the fact that he’s not gone anywhere near a carbohydrate. My man :cool:

Were it not for the halloumi fries Greenwood's selection isn't far from a Molton dinner.

What a boring little shite.

"Chicken on pasta, please."

Chicken supreme? Where were they eating the 70s?

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Jimmy or niko joke: It was in Dundee, so yes.

There you go, saved you the hassle, lads.

Excellent joke Jimmy or niko, rep coming your way.

Just honoured to be in such esteemed company.

Look, Boydy, if you want to join the team of writers who run the Jimmy, niko and Ian accounts, just PM some of your material and I'm sure they'll consider you.

That's what 7om was going for in his WDYTOE talking about BEEF between me and Jimmy. Pitching ideas, trying to get us some of that reality TV-loving demographic.

Chicken Tempura and Tempura Chicken being different things is interesting.

They are?

Edit: never mind didn't realise we were still on the menu

Michael Ballack’s son died in a quad crash last night aged 18. Christ

No one can possibly survive four crashes tbf.

Especially one that lasted for 18 years.

Fofana breaking his leg has thrown my fantasy plans into disarray.

Also good to see Leicester carrying on with their injury curse.

The guy who made the challenge 100% meant it. He wins the ball and then deliberately, err, scissors Fofana’s leg in the follow through as payback for an earlier challenge made on him. Can see his bone sticking out somewhat if you freeze the video

Made me rearrange my whole team too, no idea why he was chilling at 4.5m.

:drool:

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Yeah throw it up why not.

Me round 7om's house.

Oh dear.

It's a fabulous effort managing to tweet that.

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Originally Posted by Lewis

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Yeah throw it up why not.

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:lol:

Gone already. :D

https://i.imgur.com/BztQXE1.png

Here's a screenshot for anyone who missed it.

The training cone was a nice touch. Top effort.

Currently Galatasaray 1 St Johnstone 1 with a few minutes to go in the Uefa Cup. What a glorious cross-cultural tie that is.

Their manager is the new Alex Ferguson

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Currently Galatasaray 1 St Johnstone 1 with a few minutes to go in the Uefa Cup. What a glorious cross-cultural tie that is.

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Two difficult away trips in a row that. Dingwall and then Istanbul. Two solid draws.

One of them a trip to a major European metropolis noted for its road bridge across a wide body of water, and then they were off to Turkey after that.

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:lol:

Born and bred in Glasgow all his childhood ffs

Nice to see an English football crowd again in this Bomo v baggies game.

Also nice to see Scott Parker wearing a tie clip, as if he's a hotel concierge rather than a football manager.

I didn't know he'd got straight back into a job. Good for him. Seems like a decent club to pick, too.

Nice to see Dara O’Shea scoring.

Actual football huh?

Just seen Liverpool played a couple of 60 minute games against Bologna in the week and they were wearing red shirts, black shorts and white socks. That'd had better not be a thing.

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Just seen Liverpool played a couple of 60 minute games against Bologna in the week and they were wearing red shirts, black shorts and white socks. That'd had better not be a thing.

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It was a fuck up, apparently. Liverpool were due to wear our new away kit, but then Bologna rocked up in white at the last minute.

Pickford is having an absolute shocker in this friendly. Looks like he's lost his ADHD medication.

The mackems have taken over a pub in town. :moop:

United absolutely raping Everton here. 3-0 in 28 minutes. Bruno with a 25 yard penalty.

Watching pre-season friendlies. :sick:

Watching Pre-Season friendlies is up there with sponsored zoo animals in the child stakes.

10 years at the Amex today. Think they were hoping for someone a bit higher profile than Getafe but it'll be good to go to the football again for the first time in ages, assuming they let me in with my dodgy island covid certificate.

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

United absolutely raping Everton here. 3-0 in 28 minutes. Bruno with a 25 yard penalty.

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Greenwood likely to start the season?

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Greenwood likely to start the season?

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Sancho hasn't even joined the squad yet so looks like it.

My Grandad was a season ticket holder for years at Norwich, but they stopped going once my Nan got too frail. I want to take him to a game this season as it's likely the last chance he'll get to go (he's in his early 90s now).

I see the ticket sales are set up so they don't go on general sale until they've been offered up to a load of priority groups (regular attenders essentially). Do I have a hope in hell of managing to buy tickets on general sale (I don't care which game it's to) or am I going to need to get a favour from someone with a season ticket or something?

Dunno

I'd be surprised if you can't get a ticket unless maybe it's v a 'big six' team. There are hundreds of Brighton tickets are available for our third home game for example, and they've been on general sale since Thursday. Probably better to ask on a Norwich forum/reddit.

Rangers :lol:

Should be easy buying tickets for a midweek game against a nonsense club like Leeds or Arsenal.

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

My Grandad was a season ticket holder for years at Norwich, but they stopped going once my Nan got too frail. I want to take him to a game this season as it's likely the last chance he'll get to go (he's in his early 90s now).

I see the ticket sales are set up so they don't go on general sale until they've been offered up to a load of priority groups (regular attenders essentially). Do I have a hope in hell of managing to buy tickets on general sale (I don't care which game it's to) or am I going to need to get a favour from someone with a season ticket or something?

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You'll get tickets easy, just be on the ball as soon as they turn to general sale.

You're a good egg, RL.

Thanks all.

You're welcome.

Especially you Igor.

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Originally Posted by igor_balis

You're welcome.

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:D

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Originally Posted by Ian

Watching pre-season friendlies. :sick:

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Sorry you don't support the club as much loser.

Dwight Gayle's scored twice against Norwich. Tell your Granddad not to bother, Randrew.

Given he had a season ticket for like 20 years, I don't think he went for the winning.

There's winning and then there's giving Dwight false hope.

So what you're saying is he's not a fantasy football banker then?

How's Callum Wilson going?

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

My Grandad was a season ticket holder for years at Norwich, but they stopped going once my Nan got too frail. I want to take him to a game this season as it's likely the last chance he'll get to go (he's in his early 90s now).

I see the ticket sales are set up so they don't go on general sale until they've been offered up to a load of priority groups (regular attenders essentially). Do I have a hope in hell of managing to buy tickets on general sale (I don't care which game it's to) or am I going to need to get a favour from someone with a season ticket or something?

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Are you in your grandfather's will? :sherlock:

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Originally Posted by Lewis

Sorry you don't support the club as much loser.

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He doesn't even watch the flight trackers the no mark cunt.

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

He doesn't even watch the flight trackers the no mark cunt.

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I found myself considering watching an u23 friendly the other day. That was a step too far even for me.

There's a Twitter account I saw once that reviews youth players from clubs up and down the country. I don't know why he bothers, every reply he gets is just people calling him a nonce and I don't doubt it either.

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Originally Posted by P_3

Are you in your grandfather's will? :sherlock:

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No clue. Doubt it. He was a farm labourer his whole working life so don't think he has much to pass on, other than their house which I believe will go to my mum

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

So what you're saying is he's not a fantasy football banker then?

How's Callum Wilson going?

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Injured again. :D

Nevermind, he played an hour. Gayle came on for him.

Wait, the Charity Shield is today?

Look at the state of this lot.

https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experi...a1181326b2.png

Not sure I could confidently assert what the one on the left identifies as.

He identifies as the one on the right

The font on the back of that City top is a war crime.

Is that the one I saw that looks like text off a ye olde calculator?

Where is it on?

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Originally Posted by Ian

Is that the one I saw that looks like text off a ye olde calculator?

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It's the Blockbusters font.

I don’t see it on sky or on the sports extra section. Is it on something stupid like BBC?

It’s on ITV.

Christ. Is it a one off thing or has that shit show waded in on EPL coverage now too?

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:lol:

lol at him not celebrating that penalty like he's some City great.

Up there with Bruno Fernandes knee sliding after a goal in a friendly

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

I found myself considering watching an u23 friendly the other day. That was a step too far even for me.

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In person? They play a load of fixtures round the corner from my house and you can drink on the sidelines.

My Tottenham-supporting mate was giving me shit yesterday because Chelsea had 'bottled' a 2-0 lead against them. I was rifling back through the historical record to try and think which match he was referring to, but then he explained it had been a friendly this midweek. Why would you watch that?

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Originally Posted by Lofty

In person? They play a load of fixtures round the corner from my house and you can drink on the sidelines.

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No a Utd one online.

It's hard to give a fuck about pre-season friendlies when The Emirates Cup isn't on the line.

Meaningless or not, it's reassuring to know that 18 months away hasn't dulled the relentless shitness of Potterball and that even a small crowd (7000) is probably enough to spook Brighton into their previous pitiful ways [on the assumption they were less than dreadful last season, I tried not to look too much].

Aaron Connolly, I know he tries, but he just isn't a Premier League level player, and a midfield of Lallana, Mac Allister (if that's how it is spelled) and Gross is going to get lolled out of existence by the work rate of Burnley and Watford. Trossard was decent when he came on, but yeah, looking forward to Watford in 2 weeks . . .

Also, hats off to Getafe for getting in a prodigious amount of rolling around whilst holding faces and general time wasting/needle/other pointless shit. I know these things are meant to be building into the season, but I always assumed that was more of a fitness thing, than a shithousing one.

Mourinho getting himself sent off in a friendly. He's such a cock.

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Meaningless or not, it's reassuring to know that 18 months away hasn't dulled the relentless shitness of Potterball and that even a small crowd (7000) is probably enough to spook Brighton into their previous pitiful ways [on the assumption they were less than dreadful last season, I tried not to look too much].

Aaron Connolly, I know he tries, but he just isn't a Premier League level player, and a midfield of Lallana, Mac Allister (if that's how it is spelled) and Gross is going to get lolled out of existence by the work rate of Burnley and Watford. Trossard was decent when he came on, but yeah, looking forward to Watford in 2 weeks . . .

Also, hats off to Getafe for getting in a prodigious amount of rolling around whilst holding faces and general time wasting/needle/other pointless shit. I know these things are meant to be building into the season, but I always assumed that was more of a fitness thing, than a shithousing one.

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I don't think the midfield is really the problem, and I don't think that three sees the light of a competitive game. Agreed on Connolly, get him up to Charlton.

Potterball is fine, they just need someone that can score goals. That's basically the only problem.

Could probably do with another defender as well actually, it's looking a bit thin with Lamptey and Burn apparently out for the start of the season.

https://i.imgur.com/D3qWlZH.png
https://i.imgur.com/MqbYrId.png

All I did was hit one of the four visible icons down the bottom of the screen and this is the content that the algorithm says I need to see?

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Meaningless or not, it's reassuring to know that 18 months away hasn't dulled the relentless shitness of Potterball and that even a small crowd (7000) is probably enough to spook Brighton into their previous pitiful ways [on the assumption they were less than dreadful last season, I tried not to look too much].

Aaron Connolly, I know he tries, but he just isn't a Premier League level player, and a midfield of Lallana, Mac Allister (if that's how it is spelled) and Gross is going to get lolled out of existence by the work rate of Burnley and Watford. Trossard was decent when he came on, but yeah, looking forward to Watford in 2 weeks . . .

Also, hats off to Getafe for getting in a prodigious amount of rolling around whilst holding faces and general time wasting/needle/other pointless shit. I know these things are meant to be building into the season, but I always assumed that was more of a fitness thing, than a shithousing one.

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But it wasn't really a midfield of those three was it, with Mwepu and Bissouma? They're all good players anyway.

Up top is the only area worrying me.

Mwepu started at right wingback I think [obligatory giant fullback in Burn's absence], although he seemed to be all over as the game went on. It was quite hard to determine where various players were playing a lot of the time. He looked alright, but he's another defensive type. Problem is when you pack so many defensive players in it's hard to get anything going in attack even with good players [see England] so trying it with Connolly and Co is tough/borderline madness.

Lamptey is obviously a big miss, but he's always injured so can't really be relied on as a main attacking outlet.

I like March but he has zero end product.

Edouard will score a bucket load assuming he gets the chances Welbeck and Maupey got last year

They'd have to sign him first though.

Ronaldo would also score bucketloads.

Is Dani Alves the best full back ever?

Did Tahith Chong really kill it in central midfield? Paulp Ogba replacement right there.

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Embarrassing. No wonder Harry Kane wants out.

Robbo’s injury doesn’t look good.

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Originally Posted by Baz

Robbo’s injury doesn’t look good.

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Aye, could be ligaments. Proper went over on it.

Thought it looked like his leg had gone full Cissé on first viewing.

I think best you can hope for is a 2-3 weeker from there. Him walking off on it suggest it'll be worst case 2-3 months.

Kyogo. :cool:

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Apparently they are claiming that they asked the fourth official if they could make an additional sub and he agreed.

I don't think that gets them off the hook. The 4th official gets reprimanded.

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Originally Posted by Reg

But it wasn't really a midfield of those three was it, with Mwepu and Bissouma? They're all good players anyway.

Up top is the only area worrying me.

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Has Molumby any hope of making a dent in that midfield or is he getting the door?

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Apparently they are claiming that they asked the fourth official if they could make an additional sub and he agreed.

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Originally Posted by Shindig

I don't think that gets them off the hook. The 4th official gets reprimanded.

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The Vote Leave defence. :cool:

Magic win over Forest yesterday, 96th minute winner. Absolutely worth the covid I can only assume was flying around that concourse.

I watched it, I thought City played pretty well and the Forest goalie must be fuming that he let that one go in in the way it did.

There was one point where they should have scored a second before HT and it somehow went under our keeper and over the bar, no idea how as that was definitely in from where we were. They seemed content with the 1-0 though which completely let us back into it, nice of them to giftwrap some points for our housewarming.

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Originally Posted by Giggles

Has Molumby any hope of making a dent in that midfield or is he getting the door?

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He’ll probably go out on loan as there are just too many ahead of him.

Not sure if this qualifies as shithousery or what, but Swindon's previous owner was in charge from 2013-2021. The squad numbers 13-21 have been left oddly vacant (granted we only have 19/20 pros), new signings taking shirts in the mid- to high- 20s.

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:lol:

Crowds are back and Rangers start going back to being a mess :lol: :lol: :lol:

We are playing Villarreal in the cupasoup. That took me by surprise.

Trevoh Chalobah starting in it also took me by surprise.

Werner's performance so far should balance those 2 surprises.

It did until I saw that Pau Torres is now back and playing in this :D

Will the man ever get a week off?

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Originally Posted by Lewis

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:lol:

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I like it but I wouldn't be seen wearing something to "champion inclusivity".

“Ahead of…” why fucking bother.

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Originally Posted by Lewis

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:lol:

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I can't be arsed to find out what the various rainbows mean, but I quite like that.

All about the chevrons.

lol at 'Kepa' and his McDonald's haircut.

Where were those dogshit penalties against United you bums?

You don't waste good penalties on a friendly.

My takeaways from that match that I didn't watch. Kepa looks much better with longer hair, Jorginho looks like a knob with that hair.

Last top competition that a side other than Liverpool win this season. Enjoy it, lads.

Lovely moment there with Mendy giving it large on his behalf.

Chalobah really looked the part to me.

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Originally Posted by Don

Last top competition that a side other than Liverpool win this season. Enjoy it, lads.

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Wouldn’t be surprised if you boys finish 7th

City are winning the league by miles. The question is who comes second, third and fourth out of the Chels, y-nytid and Liverpool.

On another note, Kai Havertz might be the first man ever to become 10x less handsome when he smiles.

Waff, put down the beers lad.

City are finishing third behind Chelsea if they think they're going into the season with Ferran Torres and Jesus as their forward options.

Rio thinks this is a good opportunity to try it but would like to see if Tuchel would make the keeper call in a CL/FA Cup game that 'really matters' later in the season, the fucking thick cunt.

This is the first game I've had BT at home, it really is a load of shite isn't it. Jake Humphrey just screams cunt.

Someone is a grumpy Gus today. @Don.

He's not wrong about Rio, though. One of the worst pundits around. He's basically Jenas mixed with roids and spray on hair.

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

City are winning the league by miles. The question is who comes second, third and fourth out of the Chels, y-nytid and Liverpool.

On another note, Kai Havertz might be the first man ever to become 10x less handsome when he smiles.

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I really think Chelsea can run City close. I'm really looking forward to the fallout when United come fourth despite being better than last season.

If kakkers fires from the word go and stays firing, I guess we could get close to them. Otherwise I think we'll likely drop too many random points in random off games to be within 10.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58179956

As much as I love all things Brentford, this Danish cunt is one tryhard wanker. Shame his ego is unavoidably going to have to be fed massively throughout the season.

The news has announced that we are bidding for the 2030 and 2034 World Cup.

I don't think the teams will go for a 4 year quarantine before, between and after the 2 World Cups tbh.

Nah you get used to it I promise.

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Originally Posted by -james-

I'm really looking forward to the fallout when United come fourth despite being better than last season.

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All the "OGB must be doing something right because he came third then second!" seems to ignore how utterly shite everything behind City was last season.

It depends on injuries this year but I'd be surprised if we weren't able to get the balance better this year and have more points of attack than Bruno. Defensively, you'd like to hope Varane reduces the need for McFred.

Do we have a prediction thread?

Not until you start one.

BT Sport all set up for the big game on Saturday night.

That's PSG vs Strasbourg is case clarification were needed.

Yeah I thought yesterday that we're definitely getting a BBC live text about a game nobody gives even one single shit about just because MESSI DEBUT!!!!!!!!

I have complete and utter faith in Mat Sels between the sticks.

I'm slightly at a loss as to why everyone thinks Chelsea are suddenly going to win the league.

Yeah, the BBC pundits mostly have Man City and the rest have Chelsea. I'd have expected City to dominate that but I'm surprised to see no predictions for Liverpool in there if they weren't down as favourites.

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

I'm slightly at a loss as to why everyone thinks Chelsea are suddenly going to win the league.

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Because they're not starting on -20 points by employing a binman like last season.

How many more reasons do you need?

1. We are Champions of Europe
2. We have an Intelligent German Manager
3. We have just bought/are about to buy Romelu Lukaku - And He Guarantees Goals
4. We thrashed Villarreal 1-1 last night
5. Michy Batshuayi

6. Selling Tammy.

Tammy was giving it large in the celebrations last night, soaking up every last moment of winning something before he moves to the dreaded artillery store.

In my limited knowledge of the top of the league there, I thought with van Dijk back then Liverpool would have to be favourites wouldn’t they? They’ve most of their league winning team intact.

Intact and two years older. They'll be up there but City with their vast depth have to be favourites.

City
Liverpool
Chelsea
United

That’s my uneducated guess.

I struggle to believe VVD is the sole difference between the Liverpool that won the league with 99 points and the one that shat the bed last year.

...and the other 6 CBs between him and whatever we were fielding last season.

It must be hard being the only team with injuries.

Considering shitting the bed is finishing third he probably is, at least in terms of the difference between being a contender to win the league as opposed to simply jockeying for a top 4 finish.

Think those 90 point seasons were rather the exception though, for both Liverpool, and the league winning threshhold.

Their midfield is meh and Salah Will have to hard carry again, which I doubt will happen.

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Considering shitting the bed is finishing third he probably is, at least in terms of the difference between being a contender to win the league as opposed to simply jockeying for a top 4 finish.

Think those 90 point seasons were rather the exception though, for both Liverpool, and the league winning threshhold.

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Finishing third with 31 less points. There's no player in the world making that much difference.

I seem to remember they only hit silly form when he turned up in the first place, so I can buy it.

Also I'm happy doubting Salah as much as the next man but fact is he's [probably] the top scorer in the league over the 4 seasons he's been there so he'll more than likely clock another 20 league goals.

He just needs the rest of the team to be less shit than they were last year.

That the total for winning the league went up to basically 98 points from usually just getting mid 80's or so, is mental.

That being said, Liverpool and City then were magnitudes better than anyone else. Chelsea now without Binman should get to that level. United will likely be held back by their own Binman at key points. This is the first time he's going to have proper expectation on him too.

The top 4 could finish in any given order this year. It should be fun.

The Spanish heatwave is gonna create some interesting conditions this weekend. Sevilla has their kick-off on Sunday that has been pushed to 10.15, where it is expected to still be 37C. :|

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Originally Posted by Gray Fox

That the total for winning the league went up to basically 98 points from usually just getting mid 80's or so, is mental.

That being said, Liverpool and City then were magnitudes better than anyone else. Chelsea now without Binman should get to that level. United will likely be held back by their own Binman at key points. This is the first time he's going to have proper expectation on him too.

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I think that's fair. This season is "it" for Solskjaer. He finished second last season, he's been backed with 2 excellent signings. There's no hiding now.

It's not win or bust, but if we're out of the title race by March then I reckon he's taken us as far as he can.

Chelsea should be favourites alongside City. They have the most delete alongside Man City and about to sign someone who will finish a lot more chances than anybody was able to last year. They won the Champions League last year easier than any team in recent memory. They could probably do with signing another centre mid though as Jorginho/Kovacic are hopeless without Kante.

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His carer counting her payments.

What’s that programme?

Its from the Neville youtube thing, the overlap. Hour long part 1 went up today.


Kicks in at about 32 mins. Just got there in my watching.

http://josimarfootball.com/the-trill...gambling-game/

Superb article on dodgy Eastern gambling money in Premier League football.

I've dealt with a lot of the entities mentioned and have always thought it mental how the likes of Laba360 were suddenly sponsoring Burnley, and nobody batted an eyelid. W88 who sponsored Wolves last season existed for all of about a fortnight.

Isle of Man companies :sick:

Be nice to see Brentford and Brighton's romantic fairytales and guardian angels be outed as making a living through working with these criminals.

I've just seen about that 'Hype Mode' on BT Sport :face:

What is it? It sounds very mixed-race/BLM heavy.

No Auba or Laca. The mortgage should already have been on Bees but you can max out the payday loans now too :drool:

https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/video...e-bt-sport-app

Fuck off :D the fucking flames and dust trails :D :D

Yeah that is less than ideal. Will Arteta play an actual striker up front or are we getting Willian?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/video...e-bt-sport-app

Fuck off :D the fucking flames and dust trails :D :D

---

Heads have gone.

Having watched that I feel quite sick that I've given them at least £27.

That is a properly interesting line-up from Arsenal.

The state of that Arsenal team.

Willock would've got in that midfield. :D

Ivan Toney to shit on Ben White.

This Brentford stadium looks a great day out.

What part of the Arsenal lineup are people surprised by?

I'm surprised that even allowing for how increasingly out of touch I am with football Arsenal are starting two players I've genuinely never heard of.

Although one of them is a yoof making his first senior appearance so maybe that's not so bad.

Are we really pronouncing Mbuemo as Umbermer?

There was me thinking I could tuck into Lorient v Monaco on Amazon. Nope.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ian

I'm surprised that even allowing for how increasingly out of touch I am with football Arsenal are starting two players I've genuinely never heard of.

Although one of them is a yoof making his first senior appearance so maybe that's not so bad.

---

Took me a good few players to guess which lineup was which.

:drool:

Chambers is shit.

Crowd noise. :drool:

Brentford fans are good. Been very goals for 24 solid minutes, just loving life.

Shame about the stadium.

What’s wrong with the stadium? Looks class.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Luca

What’s wrong with the stadium? Looks class.

---

It’s next to a motorway in the middle of nowhere. And the different coloured seats look dumb. Their old stadium was proper and notoriously a good away day, surrounded by pubs.

This has been an awful match and we’ve conceded to a 0.01 xG chance and looked fragile at the back under pressure. Same as ever.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shindig

Willock would've got in that midfield. :D

---

Dogger as it is he wouldn't.

This clapping Saka stuff is absolute shit.

He needs an ovation at Chelsea and a friendship with Jermain Defoe for the set.

That defending is comical.

£50m Ben White refusing to jump.

That’s tragic :D

What a club

Mongos trying to tell me Ben White is a good signing for £50m :harold:

EDIT: Keeper was prolly fouled though.

Who told you that?

We eating good tonight, boys.

Well, Swindon have just announced the signing of Jonny Williams (yep, the Wales international, now playing in League Two) tonight, but also earlier today announced that a (former?) money launderer will be Vice Chairman so it's all swings and (magic) roundabouts. Still glad I bought a season ticket for the first time since 2013.

Zavier Austin, if you're curious.

the fuck are neville and carragher up to tonight

I didn't watch the game, but the Arsenal XI on paper looks like relegation stuff.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I didn't watch the game, but the Arsenal XI on paper looks like relegation stuff.

---

They probably have enough class to avoid it but they'll need to find three teams worse than them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I didn't watch the game, but the Arsenal XI on paper looks like relegation stuff.

---

Pepe, Chambers, Lene, Xhaka and Balogun(as a starter kid might turn out well). Have no right to be starting for a team who reckon they want to be top six in the Premier League. Let alone the young kids who are decent without being spectacular. Tierney was their best player by a mile tonight and you can’t imagine he will be there too much longer if he has a full season because someone better will take him.

Chelsea and City next up for Arsenal.

Good luck Mikel. Anyone have him first for the chop?

The board's had plenty of faith in him but I really don't think he survives a shite start.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Chelsea and City next up for Arsenal.

Good luck Mikel. Anyone have him first for the chop?

---

He’ll probably beat Chelsea, Arsenal always play well against them.

Paul Kagame taking time out from his busy schedule of human rights abusing to call the club shithouse on Twitter is going to be hard to top, but they have a season to do it.

He better strap himself in because this ride is only just getting started.

Remember when Tim Cahill thought Arteta was the one showing he had a plan.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mo

Well, Swindon have just announced the signing of Jonny Williams (yep, the Wales international, now playing in League Two) tonight, but also earlier today announced that a (former?) money launderer will be Vice Chairman so it's all swings and (magic) roundabouts. Still glad I bought a season ticket for the first time since 2013.

Zavier Austin, if you're curious.

---

Good footballer but very injury prone. You seem to have found the light at the end of the tunnel?

Sunderland seem to have done some recruitment homework this time round. We appear to be signing/loaning young players who can actually play football!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Chelsea and City next up for Arsenal.

Good luck Mikel. Anyone have him first for the chop?

---

Just one shrewd lad, actually.

Has Klopp finally had the eyes done?

How novel to be going to the football this afternoon. 3pm kick off as well!

https://youtu.be/8f2-Hw8ukqc

Just watched the Arsenal highlights. Rofl.

Looking forward to some penalty box penetrations at 12:30 too.

de Gea
Wan-Bissaka
Lindelöf
Maguire
Shaw
McTominay
Fred
Pogba
Bruno Fernandes
James
Greenwood

Wow, it's like a new team!!!

Looking tasty in Manchester so far. Our young uns getting a pasting.

But will Jasons Ancho get a standing ovation from the Leeds fans? That’s today’s most important story.

Must admit I thought the racial abuse would turn Sako in to a machine. So I put him in my FF. Forgot he played for arsenal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

But will Jasons Ancho get a standing ovation from the Leeds fans? That’s today’s most important story.

---

https://twitter.com/igrattan/status/...626204161?s=19

There's your answer. :harold:

That's more like it. Come on Leeds.

:D

Nice

It’s great seeing the fans back.

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Ferdinand is such a fucking cunt isn't he.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

But will Jasons Ancho get a standing ovation from the Leeds fans? That’s today’s most important story.

---

*Jason Dancho

What a penalty that is.

The Sikhs are back, Paulp Ogba new five year deal, Marcus Rashford January loan to Everton. Get Mason Greenwood in the gym and it's on.

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Bruno stats are back

Funky.

Daniel James really whetting the appetite for the Jadons Ancho introduction as well. Ole Gunnar Binman working the crowd like prime Stone Cold.

And there it is. Lovely goal.

What a hit that is.

#OleOut.

As is that. Jesus.

:drool:

That's glorious.

Arseholed through the middle again.

Greenwood :cool:

If you've got that coming through I'd bin Marcus Rashford (and all the bollocks that comes with him) off now.

Look at all these fucking penalties.

Lol and again.

That’s some reaction.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Look at all these fucking penalties.

---

Best player in the world against mid table teams

Paulp Ogba playing for a move the cunt. Turning it on like late-season Mark Viduka.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Best player in the world against mid table teams

---

Rent free.

:harold:

6-2 again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Best player in the world against mid table teams

---

https://media4.giphy.com/media/7UvxJ...snuX/giphy.gif

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Rent free.

---

Why do you speak like a 14 year old

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

If you've got that coming through I'd bin Marcus Rashford (and all the bollocks that comes with him) off now.

---

Binning off a guy who scored 20 last season while not actually playing well would be madness.

Martial out the door first unless he's remembered how to run during his time off.

EDIT: Also has Martial shaved his head down to the bone??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Why do you speak like a 14 year old

---

https://d3vlf99qeg6bpx.cloudfront.ne....Mourinho1.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ian

Binning off a guy who scored 20 last season while not actually playing well would be madness.

Martial out the door first unless he's remembered how to run during his time off.

EDIT: Also has Martial shaved his head down to the bone??

---

Yes.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E73AjcWWQAI3Oht?format=jpg

It doesn't suit him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Yes.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E73AjcWWQAI3Oht?format=jpg

It doesn't suit him.

---

It's not great but that is a particularly bad picture.

https://showsport.me:2096/previews/2/4/1585511942.jpg

WTF Pogba 4 assists.

Letting Fred score should be an instant relegation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trancemeister

WTF Pogba 4 assists.

---

More than all of last season, apparently.

It's going to be fun when we lose 1-0 to Burnley.

Sancho coming on and we've got...Helder Costa.

Pogba must have broken a record here.

Man Utd losing him on a free twice after buying him for £80m :lol:

Other than being part of his wacky gimmick, what possible benefit can Marcelo Bielsa gain from sitting on that bucket?

It's amazing how little Dan James offers outside of "pace".

Leicester XI: Schmeichel, Ricardo, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas, Ndidi, Tielemans, Perez, Maddison, Barnes, Vardy.

Wolves XI: Sa, Hoever, Kilman, Coady, Saiss, Marcal, Neves, Moutinho, Trincao, Jimenez, Traore.


Chelsea XI: Mendy, Chalobah, Christensen, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Pulisic, Werner, Mount.

Crystal Palace XI: Guaita, Ward, Kouyate, Guehi, Mitchell, Riedewald, McArthur, Schlupp, Ayew, Mateta, Zaha.


Everton XI: Pickford, Coleman, Holgate, Keane, Digne, Allan, Doucoure, Gray, Townsend, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.

Southampton XI: McCarthy, Livramento, Stephens, Salisu, Perraud, Romeu, Ward-Prowse, Walcott, Djenepo, Adams, Armstrong.


Burnley XI: Pope, Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor, Gudmundsson, Cork, Westwood, McNeil, Wood, Rodriguez.

Brighton XI: Sanchez, Webster, Dunk, Bissouma, Duffy, March, Mwepu, Gross, Alzate, Maupay, Trossard.


Watford XI: Bachmann, Masina, Cathcart, Troost-Ekong, Kabasele, Sema, Kucka, Etebo, Cleverley(C), Sarr, Dennis.

Aston Villa XI: Martínez, Targett, Mings(C), Konsa, Cash, McGinn, Nakamba, Young, Buendía, Ghazi, Ings.

Young. :drool:

Shane Duffy lol. Seems pretty baffling that Brighton sent Ostigard back out on loan last week.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ian

Young. :drool:

---

Very negative starting with a defender that far forward.

Duffy's probably a horses for courses pick against Burnley/Wood.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Duffy's probably a horses for courses pick against Burnley/Wood.

---

That does sort of scan, but Potter was clearly quite keen to get rid and he was probably Celtic's worst player of the decade last season. It's more likely because there's literally nobody else with Veltman and Burn out injured.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

Very negative starting with a defender that far forward.

---

Players like Young transcend mere "positions."

How I've missed the sight of depressed looking Leeds fans.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

Sancho coming on and we've got...Helder Costa.

---

Be fair mate, we also brought to Tyler Roberts into the mix.

:facepalm:

Shite, that. We missed Kalvin massively. We would obviously still have lost but he might have stopped Fernandes marauding around behind the back line quite so freely. Hopefully it was just a blip.

I'm a bit concerned though that with how fast and loose we play anyway, combine that with the newly reintroduced phenomenon of a full house shouting you down, that the pressure might get to a few of them this season and more mistakes may be made (Raphina was the main culprit today) which, combined with the style of play, could lead to us being bent over like that on a semi-regular basis. To coin a Jimmy term, I hope heads haven't gone.

United were great today but Leeds are perfect opposition as they open up space for us and we're good enough to get in behind with our forward play. Teams who don't try and man mark will be a much tougher challenge but cannot complain with five on the opening day. Greenwood is going to be superb.

Palace aren't staying up.

Surprised to see Virgil thrown straight in, but the rest of the team selected itself due to pre-season.

Hoping to see Mane refreshed and ready to go.

Neal Maupay. :cool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kikó

United were great today but Leeds are perfect opposition as they open up space for us and we're good enough to get in behind with our forward play. Teams who don't try and man mark will be a much tougher challenge but cannot complain with five on the opening day. Greenwood is going to be superb.

---

Those teams who play a low block are what Sancho was bought for. Fingers crossed he comes good.

Yeah, his pace will unlock the low blocks.

This is also apparently the first time Tsimikas will play in the premier league. COVID knocked the stuffing out of him last season, so we'll only now see how he goes.

I expect him to be tidy going forwards but a liability at the back.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

Yeah, his pace will unlock the low blocks.

---

Pace is not remotely one of his stand-out traits.

Milner and Jota over the boys from Brazil makes sense on a fitness level, but not so sure on a footballing one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Pace is not remotely one of his stand-out traits.

---

He just makes the decoy runs for Penandes.

Lille looking good for back to back titles.

The games so far this weekend have really hammered home how wank last season was. We're back. :drool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

He just makes the decoy runs for Penandes.

---

He's just not a Pacy Winger (tm) like everyone on here seems to think. He's much more of a playmaker, good in tight spaces, good with quick passes/interchanges, etc.

As if he ever played against a tight defence in Germany :lol:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

That does sort of scan, but Potter was clearly quite keen to get rid and he was probably Celtic's worst player of the decade last season. It's more likely because there's literally nobody else with Veltman and Burn out injured.

---

Could well be that, but perhaps niko's right in Duffy being picked cos of Burnley's big heavy fellas - maybe Potter got spooked seeing White being 'bullied' last night. Would be, er, interesting to witness Duffy playing regularly while Potterballing out from the back.

United thrashing Leeds again is funny - looked from what I saw like the same giant open spaces to run into as last season, but some of the goals were class.

Not too bad, but that midfield 3 isn't working.

Get Harvey on for Ox in the 2nd half.

Mans calling some urban mixed-race winger a playmaker :happycry:

We'd be 2-1 down now if this was last season, even if he's 50% back, he remains the most influential CB in the sport :drool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Not too bad, but that midfield 3 isn't working.

Get Harvey on for Ox in the 2nd half.

---

I dunno. A few seasons back, maybe more, I guess they were looking long term at those two as 'the 8s', does give a nice attacking edge and certainly makes the game more open. Would be nice to see them functioning. Balls to solidity, just let Fabinho do double shifts when he's back.

Jota is such a quandry. No where near the influence in the game of Firmino, but so much sharper in front of goal [Firmino would probably have tried to pass that chance back to Salah].

What's the deal with subs this year, are we back to 3?

I thought we were but there was about 10 subs made at the game I was at today so who knows. Could have been because it was a cup game

https://twitter.com/KyIeverton/statu...585053185?s=19

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

I dunno. A few seasons back, maybe more, I guess they were looking long term at those two as 'the 8s', does give a nice attacking edge and certainly makes the game more open. Would be nice to see them functioning. Balls to solidity, just let Fabinho do double shifts when he's back.

Jota is such a quandry. No where near the influence in the game of Firmino, but so much sharper in front of goal [Firmino would probably have tried to pass that chance back to Salah].

What's the deal with subs this year, are we back to 3?

---

Back to normal I think.

In this setup I'd like to see Jota on the left and Mane through the middle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Don

Mans calling some urban mixed-race winger a playmaker :happycry:

We'd be 2-1 down now if this was last season, even if he's 50% back, he remains the most influential CB in the sport :drool:

---

Haha ye DAE black people can only run fast XD

I've said it before, but fouls like the one cantwell did should be a red.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Haha ye DAE black people can only run fast XD

---

I mean this is your own fault for treating him like a person with opinions worth valuing.

Utd boys are back in town! But calm down lads, bask in this, you'll be back to being irrelevant in a few weeks.

Most boring poster by a mile.

Salah is inevitable.

has Liverpool/Norwich ever been a close game?

Harvey on the pitch, Utd boys on my dick, what a life.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Salah is inevitable.

has Liverpool/Norwich ever been a close game?

---

There was a mad 5-4 once.

Salah with 3 goal contributions.

:harold:

[seriously, that one at the end where he didn't shoot, is there something wrong with him?]

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ScousePig

Good footballer but very injury prone. You seem to have found the light at the end of the tunnel?

Sunderland seem to have done some recruitment homework this time round. We appear to be signing/loaning young players who can actually play football!

---

Yes mate, the future is looking a lot brighter nowadays. Been a quick turnaround - 3 weeks ago we had a handful of pros and some youth teamers.

Good luck to Sunderland this year, fingers crossed this might be the year you actually escape!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Jota is such a quandry. No where near the influence in the game of Firmino, but so much sharper in front of goal [Firmino would probably have tried to pass that chance back to Salah].

---

You saw this again today. Liverpool were the better team throughout, but once Firmino and Fabinho came on it was just dominant.

That's probably more on Fabinho though, who's pretty mega.

Left wing with license to roam about is clearly Pogba's best position. Shame it's taken until he's 28 for someone to work it out.

Tom Cleverley is back in the prem? :D Such a fucking mess of a squad, 8 strikers listed on FPL, just a complete mish-mash of shite knitted together with pure BLM genetics and 1 decent player. Shoutout to the handful of latin american money laundering vehicles too.

It's been obvious for years he should be as far forward as possible. Best dribbler. Best passer. Most creative. Can shoot, run, head... Can't defend to save his life and is also quite lazy. Looks... Sorry, sounds just like Patrick Vieira to me.

Graham Potter looking like a new man. Must be odds on for next in line at Arsenal.

Not sure where I stand on that Burnley goal. I mean, I sort of get the "he's just trying to block him" defence, but, at the same time, players aren't obliged to get out of your way and you don't get license to just shove over anyone you feel might be doing so.

I can already see VAR is going to be a different sort of clusterfuck this season when they suddenly decide to get picky with it out of the blue.

That Potter beard is something. The subs too, absolute genius.

Villa in a relegation battle would be fucking hilarious.

Connolly out for “personal issues”. He’s not good enough for that shit.

I'm sure they were singing something about him shagging someone else's bird at the Getafe game last week.

We always lose on the first day and always lose at Goodison. At least we managed to get those two combined this season.

Hassenhuttl with some very interesting team selections. Basically a whole new defence compared to last season.

Salisu as a starting CB is gonna be bants unless you address it sharply. Kolo and Radebe aside, do we have any otger African trained defenders who wern't a shambles?

Starting a third choice keeper. Freddie Woodman gets a Premier League debut because Darlow has long covid and Dubravka's injured. Other than that, we're full strength.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Andy

We always lose on the first day and always lose at Goodison. At least we managed to get those two combined this season.

Hassenhuttl with some very interesting team selections. Basically a whole new defence compared to last season.

---

What's the expectation there this season? Any shot at top half?

Cracking day out at Huddersfield yesterday. It was a little surreal going back to football after so long away, but a great performance from Fulham was helped by how poor Huddersfield are.

And what a finish from Mitro for the first goal, classic Championship football.

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We knew this already but Vardy and his celebrations make him a cunt and a legend.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thommo

Cracking day out at Huddersfield yesterday. It was a little surreal going back to football after so long away, but a great performance from Fulham was helped by how poor Huddersfield are.

And what a finish from Mitro for the first goal, classic Championship football.

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---

I can't work out if he meant that or just fell over trying to change direction.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Reg

What's the expectation there this season? Any shot at top half?

---

I think we are a couple of squad players short of a top half push. We also lack a bit of quality throughout the team.

I think if we survive this season we should be able to start kicking on again as we've cleared a lot of deadwood. Lemina, Hoedt, Gunn, Carrilo and Boufal have all left recently and they were all a real drain. Add on the money saved from Ings and Vestegaard leaving and we should be able to really kick on if we invest that cash correctly.

Gerd Muller is no more. :(

That Newcastle midfield and defence looks relegation fodder in the Championship never mind the PL

Really? Saint-Maximin, Murphy, Almiron and Shelvey. Championship relegation fodder. Have a word. :D

Murphy, Ritchie, Almiron, Krath, Clark and Fernandes are all utter shite. Hayden/Shelvey worst midfield partnership in the league.

Were Villa missing a load of players yesterday? Their starting line-up looked like absolute dross.

Watkins injured and Bailey on the bench. I think that’s about it. They won’t do much at all with Mings starting every week and now no John Terry to at least talk him through games

Mings is an absolute paycheck stealer and a despicable cunt to boot.

Cresswell :cool:

Absolute don in fantasy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Mings is an absolute paycheck stealer and a despicable cunt to boot.

---

Please consider his mental health.

Newcastle look alright.

Do they?

Ake/Mendy down City’s left?

Spurs win.

That Spurs line up is bottom half stuff.

We've been too open in this game but at least we're finding the net. We'll do alright on this showing.

I forgot Ake was a City player.

Gwarn Tottenham.

Man City are always a mess against Spurs away. They just let them counter on them at will every single time. Fernandinho looking his age and the defence is awful down the left side as I said before.

Bergwijn is fucking awful.

Are City missing players? If not, how have they spent a billion and ended up with this?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

Are City missing players? If not, how have they spent a billion and ended up with this?

---

De Bruyne & Jesus on the bench who could say should start and maybe Zinchenko but not a huge amount more.

There's a few on the bench who would normally be first choice (De Bruyne, Rodri, Stones) but it doesn't look a million miles off to me. Their only striker is Jesus.

I watched that fan debate thing in full, and Gary Neville trying to justify Harry Kane spitting his dummy was some right sad shit.

Jack Grealish looks like a tosser in that blue kit as well. He will be back at [The] Villa before the end of his contract.

Spurs always look better playing on the break with Son/Lucas. That’s how they got to the CL final, Kane did fuck all in that run. Were better off without him

City need a striker desperately. If they can't get Kane then they need to just drop £30m on some jobber and go after Haaland next summer.

Not a single draw. No more covid ball :drool:

I was musing to myself, having seen the standard Jack Grealish has won 4 fouls, 2 fouls more than anyone else in the first half stat on the BBC livetext, whether said foul winning will be a good thing or not for City. Those fouls are usually bought to relieve pressure and slow the game down, and City don't really need or want to be doing either of those things, and they're absolutely wank at set pieces so it's not like it'll even help in that regard.

Anyway, good to see them jettisoning some points already.

The smugness exuding off Daniel Levy when they cut to him with 5 minutes to go.

I wonder which of Spurs or City actually need Kane more?

I think City do. Son is a good alternative for Spurs but City have to plug an Aguero-sized hole. Ferran Torres isn't that guy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

Bergwijn is fucking awful.

---

I think he's a baller and was great today. So direct, basically perfect for a Nuno side.

Jack Grealish loses alot of his game when he has to hold his position. If City want the player he was at Villa then he needs to be free to roam. I like Tanganga but he shouldn't have Grealish in his pocket like that all game.

The soulless stadia suited City down to their own soulless core. They're in for a bit of a shock if they think they can turn up and piss it this time.

They did start horrifically last year too, but then so did Man Utd and Chelsea had Frank Lampard in charge. It should be quite tight this year, but you’ll get a grasp of whether or not Chelsea are contenders over the next few weeks as I think they play most the ‘big 6’ other than Man Utd. The latter and Liverpool could get quite a nice cushion come October if they play as they did as the weekend.

Pedri starting again today, averaged a game every 5 days for the last year :lol:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

I think he's a baller and was great today. So direct, basically perfect for a Nuno side.

---

He carries the ball well but his end product is atrocious.

Edit: apart from when he banged one in against us obviously

He's basically Aaron Lennon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

I think he's a baller and was great today. So direct, basically perfect for a Nuno side.

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It'll be interesting to see whether Nuno can successfully get them countering and Sonblasting away, and break down deep sides consistently. Didn't it seem to be his (relative) failure at Wolves - that he didn't make them more multidimensional?

Thought City were really poor. Seemingly a lack of zip/hunger from everyone bar Fernandinho.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Watkins injured and Bailey on the bench. I think that’s about it. They won’t do much at all with Mings starting every week and now no John Terry to at least talk him through games

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None of these ready to start or injured:

Watkins
Douglas Luiz
Bailey
Traore
Sanson
Trezeguet
Tuanzebe

Poor performance, but plenty more to come and essentially missing 7 players

Three of them - four if you include Watkins assuming he plays off the left - are wide players. I forgot about Luiz though, he’s a good player. The starting eleven does look good on paper, though Mings being a permanent starter gives me the fear

I should hope so considering we started with El Ghazi and a 36-year-old Ashley Young out wide. Watkins is a centre forward though.

ASM is electric.

lol at that penalty, the swan dive followed by immediate jump up should have given the ref a clue it was never a foul.

I'm pretty terrible at analysing and understanding football that I've not actually watched live at the stadium (i could make some class michael cox zonal marking shit for West Brom circa when I was a season ticket holder), but my uneducated take is that I thought Grealish looked good today, but I'm not sure it was the kind of good performance that actually improves that city side. When everyone's fit, I'm not sure how he fits into the XI, either.

Great weekend of action and no football of consequence till next weekend. This is living :drool:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

lol at that penalty, the swan dive followed by immediate jump up should have given the ref a clue it was never a foul.

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Yeah, I can see why Bruce was fuming. Should've been wiser to the rebound, though. It's like they didn't expect it to be saved. Freddie Woodman. A goalkeeper who is actually good at saving penalties.

So after looking him up to see why I knew so little about him following the Arsenal game I've decided I'm a big fan of Pablo Mari. Or at least his career arc.

Dosses around in Spain for a bit doing not much before he ends up at City. City send him on a series of loans to the Spanish second tier and Eredivisie where he also doesn't do much. Makes the unusual (and not entirely reassuring) move of being a European moving to Brazil with City taking a "what's the point?" fee of about a million quid for him. After a year there Arsenal decide he's the very fellow for them and make a loan permanent after he knackers his ankle and in the process he manages, depending which website is most trustworthy for wages, to double or quadruple his wages, something in the region of that.

I've no idea if he's any good but that is some career path.

Also, apparently Braithwaite became the first Danish player to score a La Liga brace. Is this a statistics only being counted during the Premier League era type situation or did Michael Laudrup really score all of his goals one per match for Barcelona?

Laudrup scored a brace vs Valencia on 22 November 1991 (the final Barcelona goals before the death of Freddie Mercury). Wrong again, stats nerds.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ian

So after looking him up to see why I knew so little about him following the Arsenal game I've decided I'm a big fan of Pablo Mari. Or at least his career arc.

Dosses around in Spain for a bit doing not much before he ends up at City. City send him on a series of loans to the Spanish second tier and Eredivisie where he also doesn't do much. Makes the unusual (and not entirely reassuring) move of being a European moving to Brazil with City taking a "what's the point?" fee of about a million quid for him. After a year there Arsenal decide he's the very fellow for them and make a loan permanent after he knackers his ankle and in the process he manages, depending which website is most trustworthy for wages, to double or quadruple his wages, something in the region of that.

I've no idea if he's any good but that is some career path.

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He was great in Brazil and his team won a title from what I read but yeah, weird career

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58235195

Barca £1.15B in debt and their wages are currently 103% of the club's income.

:happycry: :happycry: :happycry:

Beautiful.

Mes que un credit score

How did they register the new players if their wages are 103% of revenues? We've been reading for weeks that the La Liga limit was in the 70-80% range, no?

Pique took a pay cut

He also took a shave and looks a completely different player.

Having realised that costs had to be cut, they hired a drunk kit designer on the cheap:

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https://media.gettyimages.com/photos...65?s=2048x2048
https://media.gettyimages.com/photos...94?s=2048x2048

I actually really like it.

I know I've been railing against single colours in other contexts, but half and half shorts should never happen.

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Originally Posted by Shindig

He also took a shave and looks a completely different player.

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https://i.imgur.com/5J8Lk7E.png

'What do you propose to do about it, brother?'

Yeah, I'm glad he didn't stick with that. Unless he wants to be Jesse Ventura's stunt double.

I thought the valiant efforts of Gerard ‘Mes Que Un Jugador’ Pique got them down to 103%, which is still above the 70-80% target? Or has he gotten them down to 70-80%, which granted them the ability to go to 103% with the new lads?

Either way, FFP is broken.

If his wages were taking up 23% of their allowance then he's the true villain and not the little roidhead.

Found out today that Fankaty Dabo uses the same nursery as we do, I'd seen him before but didn't realise who it was until he turned up today in full training gear. Even then I didn't ask just in case of the whole we don't all look alike thing. Googled it, definitely him. Best friends within the month

I had the same problem when I saw Kurt Zouma in the vegetable aisle in the supermarket. I saw him and it was obviously Kurt Zouma, but rather than believe it, I just assumed myself to be a massive racist who had seen someone else. Eventually believed it when I saw him there a second time with his wife and googled her.

Huge, huge broccoli fan, is Kurt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wullie

Found out today that Fankaty Dabo uses the same nursery as we do, I'd seen him before but didn't realise who it was until he turned up today in full training gear. Even then I didn't ask just in case of the whole we don't all look alike thing. Googled it, definitely him. Best friends within the month

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Get him signed up here.

Reminds me of when Ice-T and Coco Austin (:drool:) would eat in the restaurant I worked in. One day, some Chinese girls asked me in their mangled English if that was Ice-T (I didn't even know who he was at the time, although it was obvious that he was some sort of celebrity) and I, efficient as I was at my job, proceeded to bring them a cold pitcher of iced tea. They just rolled their eyes and drank about 5% of it.

I'm turning up to nursery dropoffs in Cov kits now, first step is to get a little acknowledgement nod. Then I'm in. Executive boxes, surplus club tracksuits, the bloody lot.

There was a Coco Austin type slut viewing the flat next door to me today. Crossed paths again at the shops and greeted but I should have gone balls deep there and then and offered my number for any 'questions'. I've never wanted a property purchase to go through so bad :happycry:

Make sure to bring her a welcome gift basket. Add some condoms in it so that she knows that you mean business.

Well she's not going to buy it with a Ponytailed Richard Reid prowling round the viewing is she?

"Can I interest you in a child's bicycle?"

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

Well she's not going to buy it with a Ponytailed Richard Reid prowling round the viewing is she?

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:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

Huge, huge broccoli fan, is Kurt.

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There was your introduction.

Broccoli, broccoli is good. I like squash too...

No chance Jimmy converses with a Frenchman of his own free will.

He might not have a choice;

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There's no way those first 3 seconds aren't from an upcoming FIFA.

He is the least attractive person on the planet.

He was just about above sea level with normal hair, but the top knot makes him into a full alien which must be destroyed and examined for science.

He’s incredible, is what he is.

With Messi going to PSG and Haaland being superhuman, Ronaldo’s days at the top (using IFFHS) could be numbered.

Thinking about it: Haaland, Ronaldo (pre-surgery), Kane, Rooney, Original Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Diego Costa.

Having an ugly mug appears to be the secret of top quality strikers.

This has got weird, bashing footballers for their looks. :cab:

Since when has TTH been the sort of place that doesn't do that?

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Originally Posted by P_3

This has got weird, bashing footballers for their looks. :cab:

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Tevez. I forgot Tevez.

Lescott must have been too ugly

Quote:

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Originally Posted by -james-

Just clocked that Sheriff Tiraspol are two games against Dinamo Zagreb away from getting into the group stage. Scenes.

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3-0 up in the first leg. :eyemouth:

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That Moldovan Bank Fraud Scandal is quite the wikipedia rabbit hole.

We beat the low block of Burnley in a closed-door friendly featuring none other than Jadons Ancho. Even went 1-0 down for old time’s sake.

Stick your Citeh up your bum, it’s ours boys :drool:

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

Tevez. I forgot Tevez.

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Add Iain Dowie to that list. And Luke Chadwick. Up there with the best.

RB Salzburg playing a CL qualifier with a front 3 with an average of <19. None Austrian, all basically nurtured by the club's own system. They're so clear of the rest, how? This one looks a monster in the making too:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benj...C5%A0e%C5%A1ko

They stick a men in Red Bull tops in Konakry, Porto Alegre and Le Havre and wait. It's a bit of a no brainer with the pathway they can offer.

I think this crop are quite unusually young. Something like fourty top tier league starts between the front six and average age of about twenty. Usually they stick them in their feeder side until they're a bit older so this lot must have something about them. Aaronson or Adeyemi look the ones to me.

It seems to be more than simply scouting though as they're getting them young, it's some sort of Ajax education model that must be doing it. Easy access to CL qualifiers (hi Celtic and Rangers) is the only thing I can see them having over most other clubs who could and should be copycatting the methods.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Don

RB Salzburg playing a CL qualifier with a front 3 with an average of <19. None Austrian, all basically nurtured by the club's own system. They're so clear of the rest, how? This one looks a monster in the making too:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benj...C5%A0e%C5%A1ko

---

Surely he's about a million shades too light for you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Don

It seems to be more than simply scouting though as they're getting them young, it's some sort of Ajax education model that must be doing it. Easy access to CL qualifiers (hi Celtic and Rangers) is the only thing I can see them having over most other clubs who could and should be copycatting the methods.

---

The coaching and facilities are elite but it's probably mostly that they just get the best kids. The top, top clubs aren't scouting in sub-Saharan Africa because they just let Salzburg do it and spend 30 million on whoever a few years down the line. The clubs the tier below (Ajax and Porto I suppose?) play in actually competitive leagues and can't afford to chuck a new random Slovakian teenager in each season. Even Haaland for instance everyone knew about but Salzburg was clearly the best move for him.

The hit rate on youth is still really low. If you look at their UEFA Youth League sides and Liefering sides from 4-5 years ago most of them are jobbing about FK Fritzl now.

Hmm, fair. The hit-rate remains low (hence why Brentford's model of not having an academy is also something more clubs should be copying as a result) for sure which is why I get surprised about how they keep doing it. Rangers and Celtic were the two I mentioned in a similar scenario but I'm sure there's plenty of dominant Europea sides in lesser leagues that could copy Salzburg.

If nobody had an academy then where would all the young players come from?

No, the smart ones that copy it will be feeding off the bigger clubs who don't care about the wastage and have a far bigger responsibility to their community to keep them in place. It's not a long-term sustainable model, just easy wins for any side below the top bracket for the medium term.

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That’s horrendous

It isn't awful but it doesn't look remotely like a football shirt does it?

Where's the badge?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Manc

Where's the badge?

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All over the kit.

It looks a bit Cricket World Cup.

Looks like a Lonsdale top from Sports Direct.

Ange FC :cool:

Kyoto will end up with a goal a game surely and great news for the Ockeroos about Rogic's return to form.

I find myself weirdly rooting for them now (which is very much against the natural order of things), much in the same way I rooted, to no avail, for Bob Bradley at Swansea. Football needs these things.

I hope he stays for at least 5 years before he moves on to something else.

Im getting wonderful flashbacks of his 36 game unbeaten streak with Brisbane.

Malmö seem pretty close to getting into the CL this season as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Queenslander

Ange FC :cool:

Kyoto will end up with a goal a game surely and great news for the Ockeroos about Rogic's return to form.

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I thought he was about 22 at most, that Kyoto geezer. He does look a bit good, and Celtic also have started to click under him and look a lot more intimidating than Rangers. I’m Not sure how their defence will hold up though.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

I thought he was about 22 at most, that Kyoto geezer. He does look a bit good, and Celtic also have started to click under him and look a lot more intimidating than Rangers. I’m Not sure how their defence will hold up though.

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That new right back sounds like a bit of bargin.

Ange doing all his own scouting is cool I reckon there will more money ball signings from him especially from Asia.

On Kyogo, it's very rare these days that a player that nobody has ever heard of arrives and as instant a hit as he has been. I was at Celtic Park last night and there's Japanese flags and scarves with his face on everywhere.

2-0 was pretty flattering last night, it's a miracle they didn't concede, but I suppose it's the first time they've played a half decent side. For a season that was assumed to be a dead loss, Ange has done a hell of a job.

Even Joe Hart appears to be working out so far, though he clearly absolutely shits it whenever there's an opposing player within 10 yards of him when he has the ball at his feet.

Wasn't the narrative that Celtic were hopeless and Rangers were walkig the league about a fortnight ago? Strangely quick reversal.

Dundee United ruined Rangers again.

The latter have also shit the bed with crowds back. Lost half their last 9 games with an away crowd or full capacity lolz

https://theathletic.com/2771877/2021...yers-in-1990s/

Graham Rix. Didn't he shag a child?

I still see Jimmy defending him somehow.

Trying to kiss the badge after scoring :lol:

https://streamable.com/g083r4

That nobody Portuguese team who beat Tottenham released a rinky-dink video mocking them in the build-up and all the Tottenham fans were seething and calling them nobodies. :harold:

Any chance Messi will feature tonight?

Left out of squad.

Didn't make the cut? Always thought he was overrated.

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Lad.

That should cover most of his career.

Full stadium live football today, for the first time in 18 months. I can already hear the groans.

Sarr's probably going to ruin Solly March

Do you reckon we’ve got the groaniest ground in the league? I’m not sure why the Amex has often been so impatient. Don’t remember us being like that at Withdean.

I haven't been to another league ground for nigh on 20 years I don't think, so not sure I'm best placed to comment. Anfield always used to be quite groany, but that's because expectations were out of whack with on pitch reality. That's probably changed since Herr Klopp's been there.

The Amex certainly is quite groany and seems to have become more so in the premier league. I think it's just a feature of how well the team tends to do, so less groaning when team winning, which happened more in the championship. There is a crushing inevitability to the way Brighton have played in the premier league, they've just never scored enough goals for the crowd not to be in constant fear of going behind and thus probably losing. Maybe last weeks extremely surprising come from behind win is the start of a new era.

Have any of you (3?) Brightoners met?

Token :brighton:

I think Reg is the only one that lives in the region.

I'm only here intermittently visiting [the wife's] family. If James is the third one doesn't he live in Scotland? Although I guess we are all here at the moment . . .

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Ah the sweet return of match day revenue.

Villa Park was really groany, but then we had a dose of reality with three years in the Championship. Goodison Park is still bad for it.

Niko/Baz, I'm in Surrey, but probably moving to Sussex next year.

I saw Ben White got the dreaded 'FEC' write-up on the beeb the other day.

Do Arsenal tend to play with 2 or 3 at the back? Can't help but think he's going to get rather exposed in a 2 by anyone with more physicality than a sapling.

2 at the back last week but I presume they’ll switch to 3 and bring Holding in to try deal with Lukaku

Elliot starts for Liverpool.

What a game to start him in too. And at CM.

:drool:

Robbo on bench too ffs, RIP the Greek.

Christ, poor old Norwich have a rough welcome to the league with Liverpool then City.

Didn't they get the same last time around (although with the home/away reversed)?

Is konate likely to start at all this season.

I went a bit left field in my fantasy draft and grabbed him assuming he would anchor the back line with van dijk, but klopp seems intent on playing matip..

Matip and VvD are expected first choice until Matip inevitably gets injured, IMO.

:(

Upsetting.

Burnley [repeatedly] wasting time inside the first 10 minutes.

:sick:

Shame that was offside, lovely move. Elliot doing well.

Aye.

Where are they drawing these fat lines from nowadays? Is it back to the shoulder/armpit and not the elbow?

That Tarkowski one was interesting just before half time. Clearly leads with his arm into the 'keeper, but less of a foul than the one he got away with last week.

Elliott's ok but he's no Fabio Carvalho, think Liverpool stole the wrong youngster from our academy.

Love it.

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HT: Liverpool (1.09xG) 1-0 (0.17xG) Burnley

About right.

Quite impressed with Elliot. Carries the ball so well and can spot a pass. Not sure if he's got the defensive game to play there against better teams yet but he can probably learn that. Hopefully he gets plenty more game time.

Burnley looked alright sadly, as with 0 points from two games you start to hope that this might finally be the year they fuck of out of the league.

Late flags for obvious offsides really can fuck off.

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THE MIGHTY BLADES haven't even scored yet this season. We've actually looked ok today though. Doubt we'll be getting relegated but there's no chance we'll be pushing for promotion on this showing

My mate did that with his city shirt years ago when he got Weah on the back but instead tried to iron it off and burnt a massive hole in the back.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

Christ, poor old Norwich have a rough welcome to the league with Liverpool then City.

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Leicester next as well.

Least they've got a bit of respite with Arsenal after that :baz:

We've not started so hot. It's going to be last season again but this time the fans are there to boo.

THE MIGHTY BLADES have now scored as we grabbed an equaliser after 93 mins but then Huddersfield grabbed a second a minute later :lol:

Duffy playing even with injuries in funny. Absolutely tragic for Celtic last season.

Should have put money on him scoring first. Sheeeesh :D

Chong doing well on loan at Birmingham is quite the surprise. He's always looked talented but massively lightweight, I thought he'd just get completely bullied in the Championship.

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Originally Posted by Don

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EM9UMzFXUAEMhTW.jpg

Scored a brace today against Charlton. Averaging a goal every 101 minutes. He's 17. I assume years old as opposed to inches but who knows. Kwadwo Baah, remember the name.

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On the bench for Watford, head of recruitment is pure banter, basically subcribed to my posts.

Are Watford still under the Pozzo regime?

Man, VAR didn't half shit on our chips today. Cracking finish from Ings, though. Lascelles was unlucky with the penalty call. I haven't seen Murphy's one but I'm told he went down easy.

Quality to be back in a full (ish) stadium, and a good performance.

Watford were fairly tragic. Sarr can stay there for another season, complete nothing performance from him. No idea why they didn't stick him on the other side against Gross/Webster. Was dreading things when I saw the Lallana/Mac Allister/Gross axis of immobility named but however they were meant to be playing it seemed to work. Bissouma the stand out player by an absolute mile. He's come on so much since I last saw him (couldn't really bring myself to watch much lockdown Brighton - my Brighton contacts tell me he was like that last season). Definitely ready for bigger and better things.

Also, lol at the 'covid protocols'. There were stricter measure in place for the Getafe friendly. No ID check, no vaccination check, no masks, didn't even get frisked for the first time ever, I'm not surprised but I wish they'd just tell you rather than making you bring all that shit along.

They didn't check IDs?

Yeah Bissouma was excellent. That tackle he slid around the side for was ridiculous, even got a goal contribution for the second.

Gross was right wingback, as is his custom these days. He's an odd wingback but thanks to his technique and expert dummy-then-usually-dummy-again-then-maybe-another-then-cross that no defender in the league can stop, I don't think we miss Lamptey as badly as we could've done.

I'm not sure when I'll go again. Must've been class being back and feeling the atmosphere. Personally not been to any big events yet, seems a bit of a jump atm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Duffy playing even with injuries in funny. Absolutely tragic for Celtic last season.

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Great goal. Should've been off for a horror 'tackle', got away with a yellow. (VAR checked it but yeah close to full force studs in the back of your leg is just part of the game mate.)

First game we were 1-0 down to Forest at half time and scored the winner in the 96th minute, today we were 1-0 down to Reading at half-time and scored the winner 98 minutes in. As great as it's been if we're going to win games I'd like one to be a nice comfortable lead as my nerves can't keep this up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Reg

Great goal. Should've been off for a horror 'tackle', got away with a yellow. (VAR checked it but yeah close to full force studs in the back of your leg is just part of the game mate.)

---

It's funny because it didn't look that bad IRL, more that he'd gone to ground way to early and the forward had almost backed into him to win the foul.

Anyway, that's all part of 'letting the game flow' now isn't it? I see Klopp was moaning about it, but then Burnley seem to have had some sort of pre-season briefing that if anyone is in between them and the ball then they are fair game to be biffed out of the way in whatever means is most expedient.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

Chong doing well on loan at Birmingham is quite the surprise. He's always looked talented but massively lightweight, I thought he'd just get completely bullied in the Championship.

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Ethan Laird doing the business as well. 'LvG' would have made/ruined these kids by now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lewis

Ethan Laird doing the business as well. 'LvG' would have made/ruined these kids by now.

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I think Laird's always been doing well but Chong looked like a child in his few senior appearances. I guess he's talented enough that it doesn't matter at that level, but he was wank in his loan spell to Germany last year so I thought he was a lost cause. Maybe "very good for the Championship but not quite good enough for the Premiership" is just his level.

He's worth keeping for the Asian market.

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Originally Posted by Dquincy

Love it.

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One day some ex-Liverpool player will have the balls to point out the load of absolute shit that ynwa stuff is and Twitter will implode. Karius technically isn’t walking alone but that’s because can’t go to Anfield without a security detail.

Some hit by Ings. He's the English Di Natale.

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Originally Posted by Manc

Some hit by Ings. He's the English Di Natale.

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He's 29?

That St Mirren goal keeper had an absolute shocker against Celtic.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Also, lol at the 'covid protocols'. There were stricter measure in place for the Getafe friendly. No ID check, no vaccination check, no masks, didn't even get frisked for the first time ever, I'm not surprised but I wish they'd just tell you rather than making you bring all that shit along.

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They check ID?

You're told to bring along proof of vaccination and proof of who you are to match to the vaccination and ticket [theoretically the government rules from the end of September for mass gatherings but clearly not going to happen]. They don't check anything.

Was Connolly shit again when he came on?

Apart from missing what looked like a sitter [haven't seen any decent angle replays] he was alright. Ran hard as usual, held the ball pretty well, was a decent outlet as Watford were pressing and Brighton more on the back foot in the second half. He probably needs to go on loan down a level though to get used to scoring goals professionally.

I probably retain too much hope for him with him being in and around a premier league squad, but he’s always been a waste of a position for us any time I’ve seen him. For a lad that dashes around a lot with lots of bluster, he’s very lazy at making actually real runs too.
Hopefully this off-season has improved him a bit but it’s looking more and more like he just got really lucky that day agains Spurs.

First game for two years today at St Mary's. Not expecting much from the game but looking forward to a day out.

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Originally Posted by phonics

He's 29?

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In terms of his finishing ability and the variety to his goals.

He's very good off the ball as well, he led the press for us and really organised the front four with and without the ball.

Should do well at Villa once they start to click.

Yes but he's 29 so don't compare him to another player you slag.

Even the names are different. Stupid fucker.

Those shorts ruin what could be a good United kit.

Thank goodness we needlessly started Matic for both the "solidity" and all the help he's going to be unpicking this defence.

Fred's been balls too.

Ole Gunnar Binman fell into a good system last week, and he has to fuck about with it. Get Anthony Martial sold at half time.

This line up is like he challenged himself to pick the least inspiring possible line up.

Greenwood is so damn good.

is Martial actually on the pitch?

Get on that pre-assist boys.

Rashford's got a job on winning the left wing spot back from Pogba.

(He'll actually be straight back in with Pogba back to being relatively useless in the double pivot).

Yeah his handlers will post three pages missives about life on the bench until the club gives in.

Matic is done. If Mourinho wants to redeem himself he will make a bid for him.

We've bought Sancho, they said.

He'll add width to the team, they said.

Ah, Ole's subbed him to play left wing two weeks in a fucking row.

I assume his failure to win us the game from there will see him scrubbing boots with Donny soon.

Oh, he's appeared on the right again. Has OGB masterminded one of these fluid forward lines I've heard so much about???

The midfield were absolutely awful.

New manager please Glazers.

Pretty average throughout. Matic and Fred was awful last year and is still obviously awful this year. AWB went back to good at tackling, shit at the rest. Pogba was largely brilliant, Greenwood needs to play central.

Martial needs the bin.

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Lol

Tierney miles out of position for that goal. Shocking.

Lukaku needs to score against the good teams as well.

It wasn't until now when I had a good look at his Wiki page did I realise just how much of a binman Mikel Arteta is. Roberto Martinez is probably impressed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Manc

Tierney miles out of position for that goal. Shocking.

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And again. He needs to be hooked.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yevrah

It wasn't until now when I had a good look at his Wiki page did I realise just how much of a binman Mikel Arteta is. Roberto Martinez is probably impressed.

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I was actually trying to dig out his stats. He must be well behind Emery now surely. They’re just so average.

Mad to see Utd flop in that game and so early in the season, especially with playmaker Sancho slaying those low blocks.

Arsenal are unbelievably bad. I don’t think they have a player in their team who would get in the Liverpool team.

Excited to see Chelsea and Liverpool annihilate everyone.

VvD against Lukaku needs a belt for the victor, fucking hell.

I'd sack Arteta tonight.

I'd extend his contract.

How did my man Pablo Mari get on?

He was the young white girl in that porn meme today.

"Arsenal with half their team out with Covid lose to the Champions League winners who just spent what Arsenal have on 5 players on 1 striker"

SACK THE MANAGER HE'S FUCKING SHIT.

Half the team out with covid or not there is no way Arsenal should be meekly getting a colonoscopy at home from Chelsea with the side they put out, it's on the manager. 36% possession is outrageous as the home side. When he first got the job he would have played 4-5-1 counter attack and it wouldn't have been pretty but it would have made sense, today the only surprise was Chelsea not being 5-0 up by halftime.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lofty

Half the team out with covid or not there is no way Arsenal should be meekly getting a colonoscopy at home from Chelsea with the side they put out, it's on the manager. 36% possession is outrageous as the home side. When he first got the job he would have played 4-5-1 counter attack and it wouldn't have been pretty but it would have made sense, today the only surprise was Chelsea not being 5-0 up by halftime.

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Didn’t we beat them last year twice with similar possession stats?

And no shit, Chelsea are a good team. 9/25 players have had Covid within the last week.

Are people going to chimp out to us losing to Man City as well?

:drool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phonics

Didn’t we beat them last year twice with similar possession stats?

And no shit, Chelsea are a good team. 9/25 players have had Covid within the last week.

Are people going to chimp out to us losing to Man City as well?

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Who’s missing?

You alright, hon?

The bonus about City is they will get to 3-0 and stop because Pep will take pity on his mate.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

You alright, hon?

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I'm the one saying it's not that big a deal, so yeah I'm fine?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Luke Emia

Who’s missing?

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The CB, the CM, both ST's and then they also won't tell us all the other players but as I said. It's 9/25 now.

You could’ve played those 9 alongside the 11 on the pitch today and I’m still not sure they’d have won.

I’d if was a one off it would be fine, but it’s been about 2 years of mediocrity. At some point it’ll either have to click, or he (or edu, perhaps both) are done.

What’s an acceptable position/points total after 19 games? 7-11th and 27-30 points?

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Originally Posted by phonics

The CB, the CM, both ST's and then they also won't tell us all the other players but as I said. It's 9/25 now.

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The centre-back got molested last week on his debut I don’t think he’d of handled Lukaku any better today. Partay would be in the team for sure but I doubt he improves things that much. The strikers one has been garbage for a year and the other one is very meh. Those four don’t make up for the keeper, the other centre-half that’s not good enough, the right back, Xhaka or Pepe as well as the terrible game plan from the manager.

I'll give Arteta credit for landing them silverware but I don't think he has a good league campaign in him.

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Originally Posted by Luke Emia

The centre-back got molested last week on his debut I don’t think he’d of handled Lukaku any better today. Partay would be in the team for sure but I doubt he improves things that much. The strikers one has been garbage for a year and the other one is very meh. Those four don’t make up for the keeper, the other centre-half that’s not good enough, the right back, Xhaka or Pepe as well as the terrible game plan from the manager.

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So what you're saying is that the players are all fucking awful but it's the managers fault he's not beating the team that won the Champions League last year and bought Lukaku?

You can't have both.

Arteta isn't the man to take Arsenal forward, but, at the same time, they don't have any good players. They're where United were five years ago, but they can't spend their way out of the hole so fuck knows. It's a seven year re-build and hoping you get lucky with a manager/superstar like Tottenham did for a bit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lewis

Arteta isn't the man to take Arsenal forward, but, at the same time, they don't have any good players. They're where United were five years ago, but they can't spend their way out of the hole so fuck knows. It's a seven year re-build and hoping you get lucky with a manager/superstar like Tottenham did for a bit.

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They have spent a lot of money though since 2019. They have just bought absolute dross.

A lot longer than that.

It's not a super long term rebuild necessarily, things can turn quite quickly, but you probably need an actual manager rather than a complete novice with very little meaningful experience. What exactly is Arteta getting the players/team to buy into? He's wildly under-qualified for the role and he's probably not the next 'Pep'.

Yeah, so did/have United, but they can buy established players, pay big wages, and beat other clubs to them if necessary. If Arsenal were in for somebody that another Big Club wanted they would have no chance.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lewis

Arteta isn't the man to take Arsenal forward, but, at the same time, they don't have any good players. They're where United were five years ago, but they can't spend their way out of the hole so fuck knows. It's a seven year re-build and hoping you get lucky with a manager/superstar like Tottenham did for a bit.

---

Spurs did it with Modric, Bale and Kane. Absolute flukes but they'd have no less trophies if they hadn't happened.

They won a place in the 'Big Six', which is worth far more to them than an FA Cup or whatever.

Potter will fix Arsenal real good, dw.

Not sure if it's a myth, but it always seems Arsenal constantly have players injured more so thanother clubs, which adds to the fire of them being a soft push over team. They just seem a bit tragic.

That Partey fella has been injured more than he's been fit whilst at Arsenal. Pepe seems a waste of 80 odd million; he'll give you a good game every 5 or 10 games.

People have called Arsenal soft for years, but they never seem to buy physical dominant players to address the issue.

Crying about Arteta whilst Conte is on the dole :rolleyes:

I would love Conte at United. Jesse Lingard at right wing-back, Martial getting the Gianluca Pessotto treatment. Title time.

Push him out of a window?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phonics

So what you're saying is that the players are all fucking awful but it's the managers fault he's not beating the team that won the Champions League last year and bought Lukaku?

You can't have both.

---

I’m not saying you should beat them. But, I do think as an absolute minimum Arsenal should be able to play Chelsea at home and make them break into more than 2nd gear. Which today they didn’t, the game was there today for Chelsea to score 4 or 5 if they wanted to.

That’s Arsenal’s biggest issue right now they are fast slipping into being Everton and the money they do seem to be spending just seems to be being wasted on shite.

OUT the fucking window, bald head first.

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'Hold me back!'

Nice hair m8.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Luke Emia

I’m not saying you should beat them. But, I do think as an absolute minimum Arsenal should be able to play Chelsea at home and make them break into more than 2nd gear. Which today they didn’t, the game was there today for Chelsea to score 4 or 5 if they wanted to.

That’s Arsenal’s biggest issue right now they are fast slipping into being Everton and the money they do seem to be spending just seems to be being wasted on shite.

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They beat them twice last year. So were the players better then?

My issue is more that I hate watching us play than the results. We’re so boring. I much preferred the days of 5’5 ballers. I said from the jump that getting rid of Wenger would be the downfall of it all.

Ings was 28.

You're right to say that to focus exclusively on results today (or next week) is a bit daft, but, at the same time, Arsenal as a club seem to be mired in a state of endless torpor and it doesn't really look like the current heirarchy, be that ownership, recruitment mob or manager are all that likely to get them out of it.

How many times have Arsenal actually played well under Arteta in his time there? Most of their better results seem to have been smash and grab robberies.

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Originally Posted by Lewis

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'Hold me back!'

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Check the substitute at the right side giving a fan a haymaker around 30 seconds in :lol:

Traore looking super swole. Is it too late for him to switch sports?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

You're right to say that to focus exclusively on results today (or next week) is a bit daft, but, at the same time, Arsenal as a club seem to be mired in a state of endless torpor and it doesn't really look like the current heirarchy, be that ownership, recruitment mob or manager are all that likely to get them out of it.

How many times have Arsenal actually played well under Arteta in his time there? Most of their better results seem to have been smash and grab robberies.

---

To break it down you have to start at the final year of Wenger and how those errors have then been compounded by further errors and a bit of bad luck here and there.

The Ozil contract
The Sanchez transfer
Signing Lacazette and then signing Aubameyang 6 months later
Too many Pires’ not enough Vieras.

All of this was caused by internal factions warring at the club. Then Wenger leaves and Gazidis has won the civil war.

But then once the dust has settled on that, the people Gazidis brings in don’t get on and instead of sorting it out takes a life changing amount of money to go fuck up AC Milan instead.

One of the Gazidis goons wins the new civil war outing the guy he was supposed to work with. Now running the show tries to fix the Sanchez problem by buying Pepe for loads of money.

It doesn’t work but Arsenal still have the talent to run it close, getting to the EL final and only just missing out on the Champions League by a point despite being a shambles at points.

It turns out that most of the Pepe money was bribes so the final member of the Gazidis project chooses to resign before the police show up.

So now it’s nearly 2 years later and everything is still fucked, there’s absolutely no-one running the joint. So you do what you can and then a global pandemic happens and shuts the entire world down and now it’s 4 years later and your wage budget is increasing faster than you can sell players despite those players performing worse on the pitch than ever before.

So you can’t fix it because you have to tell Sead Kolasinac that you don’t want to pay him 150 grand a week to get relegated with Schalke because he’ll beat you up.

It’s a mess.

I'm not sure what's stranger, United's blue & yellow kit or Ralph Hassenhuttl donning a waistcoat.

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That United kit is pretty awful, although not a patch on that Spurs thing.

lol if that's true about Shaqiri.

Why couldn't they 'openly talk' about it before?

Bit of a scuffle in the Nice-Marseille match.

I see Guendouzi is still a colossal prick. When will players learn that threatening to fight 5,000 hooligans probably isn't a good idea...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mTUvO_hAzc&ab_channel=beINSPORTSUSA

Wolves have lost both games, but they played really well in both. Traore is even bigger now and has a new set of gnashers. Trincao looks good on the ball but he has the strength of cereal box.

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Arteta is 39.

https://barnetfc.com/a-message-from-our-chairman

One of the all time great club statements.

Wait, people accumulated holiday while they were on furlough? What kind of bullshit is that?

I remember that triggering a mega-seethe at the time.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/holiday-...virus-covid-19

Mental. What a fucking life that mob have had for the last couple of years. :happycry:

https://www.skysports.com/football/s...rs-improvement

Interesting glimpse into the future.

No wind in Barrow tonight, unprecedented.

https://i.ibb.co/2KnksVG/IMG-20210824-WA0049.jpg

Ghoddos meeting his hero.

Stewarding on the side respect the grindset.

Has anyone got the email for MI6?

I think you just PM Bamster.

"But if I don't take the flag to games, how will they now I'm from Iran? I CAN'T JUST TURN AN ITALIAN ONE ON ITS SIDE!"

Fatwa incoming.

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Originally Posted by Don

https://i.ibb.co/2KnksVG/IMG-20210824-WA0049.jpg

Ghoddos meeting his hero.

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Is that Taz hugging some girl footballer? Need more context.

That Arsenal back line is revolting.

I think Tavares looks promising to be honest.

I'd like to apologise on behalf of my people for that useless waste of a Carabao Cup tie.

Why are the Prem teams all absolutely smashing the lower league teams in this? Are the latter not bothering, or is the gulf just becoming stupid?

I'm going to blame the North/South format.

I can't wait to see Liverpool draw United or Chelsea away here while City get the lowest possible ranked team at home.

If they're sticking with regional tat, you'll get Everton.

Oh look, City with a terrifying draw of Wycombe at home. Put this cup in the bin.

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Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Oh look, City with a terrifying draw of Wycombe at home. Put this cup in the bin.

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Hot take: The League Cup is routinely better than the FA cup.

The finals used to be better almost every year, but we've had some decent FA Cup finals during the City making it shit era.

Away goals ride-or-dies crying salt tears about Monaco being eliminated is an interesting twitter that I didn't expect to pop up.

And the League Cup is never better than the FA Cup, obviously. The FA Cup is magic unless all you watch of it is Arsenal reserves v Luton. 4Qual to round three and then quarter-finals to final are always class, it's just the February bit that drags out a bit as the mid table Prem sides with cynical managers gradually get knocked out.

Terry McDermott's just been diagnosed with dementia. :(

https://youtu.be/IwIoRwcuwLw

What a man. :wub:

'Nah, all good' is pure ocker.

Such a good mentor for Kyogo in regards to the racism stuff. He would have copped a barrage of racist abuse growing up in Melbourne(or anywhere back in white trash Australia) in the 70s playing wogball.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Queenslander

https://youtu.be/IwIoRwcuwLw

What a man. :wub:

'Nah, all good' is pure ocker.

Such a good mentor for Kyogo in regards to the racism stuff. He would have copped a barrage of racist abuse growing up in Melbourne(or anywhere back in white trash Australia) in the 70s playing wogball.

---

I love the answer to the journo suggesting that qualifying for the group stage of the Europa would be good for his own coaching development.. "Er, yeah y'know... I coached in a World Cup, I've had some pretty big games".

Man City to draw Shakhtar once again?

City and PSG. :drool:

United getting their obligatory bye but they'll probably fuck it up somehow.

That pot 2 being stacked has put a couple decent teams against each other. PSG getting knocked out :drool:

Mendy!! Fucking hell he’s been remanded as well.

How can you end up with a group with City, PSG and Leipzig as well as a group with Lille, Sevilla and Salzburg.

United's group isn't the worst but it's hardly a "bye". Villarreal and Atalanta are good sides.

'Atleti' and Porto, think I might steer clear of watching most of the group this season then, unless they implement this new 'let things go' refereeing style in Europe as well, in which case those two ties could be full on hilarious.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

United's group isn't the worst but it's hardly a "bye". Villarreal and Atalanta are good sides.

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I was only saying that after they got the pot 1 gift, but overall that's a pretty easy group.

Problem with stacked groups is there are going to be dangerous sides coming second so the value of winning the group is not what it once was.

Pot 1 letting the side down for Liverpool's Champions of Europe group. Has that ever happened (all 4 teams being previous winners)?

Also, Leipzig must be thinking there's come sort of conspiracy against them, which there probably is.

Liverpool probably have the hardest group of the top teams.

It's moot. Milan and Porto are probably wank, and Atleti are fairly toilet most of the time as well. An interesting group, certainly if one was a travelling fan. In this day and age probably preferable to the upstart minnow teams who are likely better than the illustrious names who have fallen on hard times.

I have a feeling Porto will have the hardest time in our group. Not seen anything of Milan for 5+ years really so no idea what to make of them. As usual, win your 3 home games and nick one away and you're golden.

Just the four counts of rape for Monsieur Mendy.

lol Joe Hart.

If United don't win their group with a game to go he wants sacking.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

It's moot. Milan and Porto are probably wank, and Atleti are fairly toilet most of the time as well. An interesting group, certainly if one was a travelling fan. In this day and age probably preferable to the upstart minnow teams who are likely better than the illustrious names who have fallen on hard times.

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If you can actually travel without the covid obligations.

Would fancy a trip to Atalanta and Young Boys (oi oi etc) though. I'm sure we will find a way to struggle through the group.

Yeah yeah, more hypothetical. All pretty decent places to go, even if they aren't 'unusual'.

In terms of that group I reckon the match order is the most important thing. Worst case scenario is to get one of Milan or Porto away first, then A. Madrid at home I reckon. Best would be Porto (H), Milan (A) then a Madrid double header.

Switzerland's on the green list now. Informal drinks at Phonic's place.

BYO crowbar.

I almost added that sentence. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Yeah yeah, more hypothetical. All pretty decent places to go, even if they aren't 'unusual'.

In terms of that group I reckon the match order is the most important thing. Worst case scenario is to get one of Milan or Porto away first, then A. Madrid at home I reckon. Best would be Porto (H), Milan (A) then a Madrid double header.

---

Pretty much nailed the preferred option.

I can't get used to Klopp without his spectacles. It's unnerving watching his press conferences.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Pretty much nailed the preferred option.

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Isn’t it always so that the top seeds play each other on match days 3 and 4.

Will Ange FC qualify from their group of death?

It looks like a cracker of a group.

Doubtful with their defence. Should be plenty goals though

Sounds good to me.

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Originally Posted by Pen

Isn’t it always so that the top seeds play each other on match days 3 and 4.

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Don't think so, but mind blown if so. Barcelona v Bayern week 1 says no, sadly.

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Yeah I'm sure the professional social media person is devastated by the retweets he's getting.

Watching the Dortmund game last night. It was 0-0 at half time and they won 3-2 with a last-minute Haaland goal. It should be mandatory at all stadiums. They have to have those nets that make "that" sound when the ball goes in.

https://youtu.be/KGlwB0G3oWo

Love the way Haaland absolutely roofed that. :drool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phonics

Yeah I'm sure the professional social media person is devastated by the retweets he's getting.

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Thank you for explaining that people use social media to get attention.

You guys being able to see the Official Bundesliga clip but I can't despite living within walking distance of Germany is just a perfect summary of why internet rights are so fucked.

Did the crowbar bandit take your router?

I can see it in the Netherlands. Should have joined the EU, m8.

Banging finish from Haaland. Tiny angle to get it into

Wow, what an incredible goal! That has to be one of the best finishes ever. Jesus, I'll never forget that one.

So lucky to have seen that. It looks a bit like Jack Torrence strangely.

I'd walk to Germany to see that again.

More impressive than the finish was the save beforehand.

The whole scene was fantastic. Very Tarantino at points.

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Arsenal are going to get absolutely slaughtered here.

What's the best streaming site about at the moment?

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Originally Posted by Offshore Toon

What's the best streaming site about at the moment?

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PMed you.

Cedric having no idea if he should go with his head or his leg for the second goal so deciding to try both was brilliant.

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Originally Posted by Boydy

PMed you.

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Can you also PM me? Don't usually need one but I did one day recently and all the ones I found were complete turd.

Don't forget to PM Bamster too.

4 fullbacks in that Arsenal 'defence.' Arteta has been playing too much FIFA.

Kolasinac both still being there and being about 7 years younger than I thought he was, are todays surprises.

Tbf it's probably not the best place for streams but it seems to work reasonably reliably for me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gray Fox

4 fullbacks in that Arsenal 'defence.' Arteta has been playing too much FIFA.

Kolasinac both still being there and being about 7 years younger than I thought he was, are todays surprises.

---

Him going from being bombed out to being in the starting line up today(not just on the bench) has amazed me. Arsenal are fucking awful there is nothing more to be said about them beyond that.

Xhaka :lol:

Arsenal fans leaving already :lol:

Surely that's Arteta gone now?

There is no plan. He's no discipline in his players. Things are getting worse, not better. And as a club, going from having Xhaka with one foot out the door, to a 3 year contract extension is madness.

How many more do Arsenal need to concede to go below a Norwich side who have lost 5-0 and 3-0?

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If you go in with both feet off the floor, you're going to get sent off.

Time and time again, he lets his team down when he's supposed to be leader. It's a joke. He's an absolute embarrassment to Arsenal right now.

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Beckford getting stuck into Xhaka on 5 Live.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mellberg

How many more do Arsenal need to concede to go below a Norwich side who have lost 5-0 and 3-0?

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Two more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Boydy

Two more.

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That's getting the MELLBERG GUARANTEE.

Footybite is the best place for streams, it's where all the Reddit lot went.

Well, I bet Vieira wishes he waited a few months. Binman in waiting.

Even Big Sam couldn't sort this shite out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mellberg

That's getting the MELLBERG GUARANTEE.

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Got to hope Pep has mercy on his mate.

That Xhaka red card really is a joke. Couldn’t have won the ball any cleaner. Was also nowhere near the City player

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:lol:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Surely that's Arteta gone now?

There is no plan. He's no discipline in his players. Things are getting worse, not better. And as a club, going from having Xhaka with one foot out the door, to a 3 year contract extension is madness.

---

And the highest (or second maybe after Ronaldo) spending team in the world this transfer window.

It will be lol if they sack Arteta after this, I don't think they will.

Not like they're getting relegated. Let him have a go in the easier games with an actual defence available.

Bottom of the league. Lol.

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Buying Saliba for £27m, not registering him in squads so he has to play for the U23s before getting constantly loaned out.

Great business when your defence is a mess.

Almost like the executive structure is a shambles mismanaged by a disinterested owner.

Are we allowed to say Arsenal are shit yet James?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

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The vid is 3 years old.

So's your wife.

:D

Just adding context sweetheart.

I think Arteta will be safe in his job unless it looks like relegation is truly looking like a reality.

You could say this is all part of the journey, but renewing Xhaka for 3 more years seems a bit mental.

I don’t follow all that closely, but was Xhaka ever much good?

Aside from the odd decent long range screamer, he's been shit or average at best.

Big call for Klopp to put Harvey Elliott in such a big game when the likes of Keita and Thiago are fit and available.

Big test for Van Dijks fitness today. He's looked not quite in sync yet so far.

Why do they keep saying ‘Lukaku vs Van Dijk’? Surely Lukaku just goes up against Matip. Not like Van Dijk will follow him about.

Salah should run riot against Alonso. Surprised Werner isn’t playing as he’d get in behind with ease

Annoying. Conceding a penalty every game this season. Could've and should've snatched that.

https://media.discordapp.net/attachm...reenshot_4.png

Good showing from Arsenal.

One thing to watch. Unlike last season, where Trent would bomb on wide down the wing, Elliott seems to pull wide and Trent now makes a lot of runs into more central areas.

We scored last week from it.

Playing Alonso and Jorginho against Liverpool who will Press the fuck out of you doesn’t make much sense. The latter has had a mare

That is a glorious header.

Can't do much about that tbf.

Chelsea as in the CL final have the tactics spot on here. Liverpool can get at this 5-2-3, but it means opening ourselves up too much and losing to some counters.

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:D

Top trolling

Beautiful. :drool:

Ref is on the take.

Alonso knocking the ball out of Mendy’s hands. He’s an absolute mong :lol:

That's 100% a penalty but that can't be a red surely.

That’s an awful call. Not so much the penalty, which is fair enough, but in no world is that cynical and deliberate.

Deffo a pen, never a red.

Red card seems really harsh for that.

This ref has been shite all game tbf.

I can't understand how that's a red. He's not meant any part of it.

Hadn't FIFA changed the rule so that it can't be a red card if it's also a penalty?

Harvey Elliott is class.

Also, Anthony Taylor looked at one freeze frame for one second before making the call. :D

Double jeopardy rule doesn't apply to clear denial of a goal scoring opportunity.

That's for if someone makes genuine attempt to play the ball.

I’d be lumping on Liverpool -1. They’ll score a few here

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Originally Posted by Luca

That’s an awful call. Not so much the penalty, which is fair enough, but in no world is that cynical and deliberate.

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I don't think the call is the problem, rather the rules. From the FA homepage:

Quote:

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Where a player denies the opposing team a goal or an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by a handball offence the player is sent off wherever the offence occurs.

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As soon as he decided to give the penalty, he had to send him off.

Fuck that red card.

Is suspect Thiago will be on soon for a holding player.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Serj

I don't think the call is the problem, rather the rules. From the FA homepage:



As soon as he decided to give the penalty, he had to send him off.

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There we are. That explains Taylor's immediate reaction to the freeze frame. Shit rule.

Didn't they change it so professional fouls don't get punished with both a penalty and a red if that situation arises? Why did they not have the same apply with that?

Liverpool have been dogshit this second half.

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

I’d be lumping on Liverpool -1. They’ll score a few here

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Never mind. Apparently Liverpool are bang average. Mane looks completely meh these days.

How Fabinho didn’t get booked I don’t know

Draw is fair. Defended very well, though we seemed to run out of steam after about 65 mins.

Man, that penalty against Lascelles was the correct call but just barely. Saint Maximin won't be a Newcastle player next season. :(

The pessimistic downtrodden Liverpool fan act has grown exponentially since they won the league. You’d think they were still playing Andy Carroll instead of a team of superstars.

We are so bad at breaking down a bank of defenders. Just totally lose inspiration.

That shot by Salah was :D

That's the situation you want Firmino over Jota, who offered quite little. I still think he works better off the left.

Some good positives though. The main midfield is back up and running. Elliott looks great. Van Dijk looked a lot better today. Perhaps some more minutes under the belt for the players will have it click more as we go.

Elliot does look good, but his drifting wide and A-A's drifting central means you lose the latter's crossing. Neither he or Salah stayed wide enough, agreed with Neville that it contributed to Chelsea being fairly comfortable defending.

'Trent' is class wherever he is, and the logic in having him being able to act as more of a midfielder, and maybe prevent counters more often too, is reasonable - but if you had both Robertson's* and his crosses it wouldn't have been surprising to see another goal or two today.

*So many in the magical corridor of uncertainty, Shearer would love him.

God love you all.

“We haven’t signed mbappe, everything and everyone is shit”

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That’s brilliant 😂

Slept through the City game knowing it was going to be a blowout. Best decision I've ever made.

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Originally Posted by phonics

Slept through the City game knowing it was going to be a blowout. Best decision I've ever made.

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But how did you feel when you saw the result? Really sad, probably.

Nonplussed.

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Originally Posted by Giggles

God love you all.

“We haven’t signed mbappe, everything and everyone is shit”

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What are you reading?

Hahahah fuck off Darren Ferguson

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spoonsky

What are you reading?

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Woe bollocks from fans of one of the best two teams in the league. I thought it was clear enough. “We didn’t win 7-0. Every player is shit. Waaa”. It’s been going on a long time now.

I only saw the first half of our game, including the multi-seethe which I didn't quite understand (aren't handballs always a red in that situation?), and left convinced we were going to go down 4-1 so pleasantly surprised with the result.

Fun fact is that the last time Gerrard and Ange were in direct competition was in 2013 at the G with 95 000 mates.

https://youtu.be/Go-jJlGd1so

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I only saw the first half of our game, including the multi-seethe which I didn't quite understand (aren't handballs always a red in that situation?), and left convinced we were going to go down 4-1 so pleasantly surprised with the result.

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Lascelles last week and I didn't hear one person suggest a red, although personally did wonder, so fuck knows.

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Originally Posted by Spoonsky

We are so bad at breaking down a bank of defenders. Just totally lose inspiration.

That shot by Salah was :D

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You need Sancho for the low blocks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

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:D

The new signings start. Money Mason up front. 1-1 incoming. :cool:

Dan James just looks so out of place in that team :lol:

Donny van de Beek having his Paulp Ogba on the bench against Blackburn moment (assuming he doesn't have it every week)

Spurs top on maximum points, Arsenal bottom on zero. It won't last but that's a beautiful league table.

I forgot about the undefeated away record. That's basically a final by current standards, so defeat incoming.

Fred :D

He just got molested there

I think Ole is hoping that having a Varane-Maguire centre back paring will be strong enough defensively to get away with Pogba playing in the pivot again. I am doubtful.

Fred has been absolutely appalling the last 2 games.

Given that Daniel James offers the exact same amount of not a lot on either side, why is the seventy million pound attacking midfielder the club have chased for three years playing on the wrong side to accommodate him?

Sancho is as good either side. Why James is on the right when he's clearly better on the left, I have no fucking idea.

At least when Rashford comes back and plays every single second it will force Sancho onto the right.

Another season of lolling at United it is then. I was getting worried.

Jimenez looks a bit of a donkey based on this after smashing his head in

Bizarre team selection again. Pogba is clearly not a centre mid and has been excellent on the left so we move him to centre mid and put Sancho, a right winger, on the left. Stupid shit.

If he can be sacked before the season is completely written off I will buy everything in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shop.

That’s some save from the keeper on that Greenwood shot

This has the feel of virtually every United away game during this run of theirs. Dreadful first half, opponents don't take their chance, United win the second half.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kikó

Bizarre team selection again. Pogba is clearly not a centre mid and has been excellent on the left so we move him to centre mid and put Sancho, a right winger, on the left. Stupid shit.

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He’s a better player on the left and has played there more than on the right for Dortmund in the last year. Started off on the right for Dortmund though

So we've signed another one for the next. Genious.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kikó

Bizarre team selection again. Pogba is clearly not a centre mid and has been excellent on the left so we move him to centre mid and put Sancho, a right winger, on the left. Stupid shit.

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Sancho has played as many games, if not more, on the left for Dortmund than the right. I think he even has marginally better stats from the left.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kikó

So we've signed another one for the next. Genious.

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Nah. He's excellent both sides. Don't get drawn into this "he's actually a left winger" nonsense.

You wouldn’t know :lol:

Wolves are the new Brighton

Sancho on the left (blue) and on the right (green) at Dortmund. Vast majority of minutes in first couple of seasons when he was like 18 were on the right. Also obv doesn't control for other factors that might decide where he's playing. Probably not much in it basically and he's looking like another FAILED BUNDESLIGA IMPORT so far here.

https://i.imgur.com/Fi4PDbD.png

Greenwood is a fucking stud.

hilarious, wolves should have been about 10 up

Considering what Xhaka got sent off for yesterday, how is that not a foul on Neves?

I still don’t know what Carragher was on about with ‘delayed reaction’

There is an article to be written on the Wolves fans patronising Adama Traore in a racist way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

I still don’t know what Carragher was on about with ‘delayed reaction’

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That's because you're retarded. He literally takes 3 steps, turns and looks around to see they've lost the ball, then starts grimacing and picks his foot up.

Not sure Pogba actually even touched him.

what is the point of fabio silva

Quote:

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Originally Posted by igor_balis

what is the point of fabio silva

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To make Jorge Mendes money.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

To make Jorge Mendes money.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1ftFufZ344

Wolves will be disappointed to not get anything from Traore's one good game a season.

Vintage :cool:

In seriousness, Fred is absolute wank again and Pogba shouldn't be played anywhere further back than the left wing or 10 if Bruno is out.

If we don't sign a decent midfielder we won't do anything this season, Ronaldo or otherwise.

No idea how solskjaer manages it. Maybe he's just a lucky general.

Greenwood is going to be massive.

"Sancho is as good on the left" is not a reasonable explanation for why the fuck we're playing him there so far.

What's the ideal fully fit United XI then?

Fred and McTominay in the 'pivot', Paulp Ogba on the left and nowhere near the centre circle, Bruno Fernandes doing what he likes, Jadon Sanchobertan on the right, and a striker that isn't Anthony Martial.

Much like many of United's results in recent years, that game defied explanation.

I would love to see van der Beek in that pivot but there's more chance of me turning up there.

Back five pretty much as today (Henderson should be competing ddg, that corner save was only because he didn't claim it a yard in front). Mctomminay + Fernandes would work I'm sure, Pogba centre, Sancho left, Ronaldo and Greenwood right.

Fernandes defensive midfielder? The guy that has a hand in virtually every goal your team scores being put on defensive detail?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kikó

I would love to see van der Beek in that pivot but there's more chance of me turning up there.

Back five pretty much as today (Henderson should be competing ddg, that corner save was only because he didn't claim it a yard in front). Mctomminay + Fernandes would work I'm sure, Pogba centre, Sancho left, Ronaldo and Greenwood right.

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Might work against whoever gets relegated. Fernandes is about as far off a one-of-two type as you can get, shirley?

Then again, midfield, ha! Ronaldo.

The best thing about that Pogba challenge is that in the eyes of VAR it can be both not a foul but also a red card depending on what the ref decides.

I'm happy in the no foul camp, but then you have all of that 'out of control' shite, and he did make more contact on Neves than Xhaka did yesterday on whoever he was trying to mow down.

Greenwood continuing to outperform his xG. He'll regress to the mean soon though I'm sure.

Sitting on the bench while a 74 year old Ronaldo takes his place could cause some drop off.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

Greenwood continuing to outperform his xG. He'll regress to the mean soon though I'm sure.

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Wasn't his goal going off target until the gk 'saved' it?

Tammy Abraham running riot in Italy. That second Roma goal was stunning

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The other leagues really are crap aren't they. Still, if Mourinho can win that title we should do a TTH Beano to the presentation fixture.

Same again from Wolves. They should have scored five goals against Man Utd. Same with the other two losses but somehow, they are yet to score a goal

Quote:

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Originally Posted by niko_cee

Fernandes defensive midfielder? The guy that has a hand in virtually every goal your team scores being put on defensive detail?

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I don't think he has to be a defensive midfielder but rather a midfielder. He's got the passing range to set people away and the lungs to join the attack.

Fernandes in the pivot :D

Our best side is probably:

De Gea
AWB
Varane
Maguire
Shaw
McTominay
Fred
Fernandes
Sancho/Greenwood
Ronaldo
Pogba

Grayson "keeper should have done better" Meenwood is so fucking good. When he gets the ball in the box you just have absolute confidence it's going in.

Varane was quietly very good indeed yesterday.

We still aren't doing anything of note without a better midfielder.

Except from winning the league. :dc:

I think McFred are underrated and as long as Solskjaer doesn't play Pogba deep too often and Ronaldo doesn't get injured they're golden.

He's basically built the ultimate Fifa/FM team. Pace, dribbling, long shots, Hollywood passes, strength. It won't be a team built on carefully orchestrated patterns of play but I don't think that'll matter - they'll be a better Portugal 2016.

Reg, this ain't 2010 fam and this ain't no farmer league where a 40 year old gets the golden boot as part of a non-functioning footballing side. One Ben Mee tackle and he'll put a call in to David Beckham about a summer move.

Brentford absolutely smashing the league as forecast :cool:

I actually also think McFred is a "good enough" base for the 4 in front of them to do what they want.

The problem is Ole will want to fit Pogba in without him being one of the front 4 and we'll regularly end up with him in the pivot.

If it had been:
McFred
Sancho - Fernandes - Pogba
Greenwood

yesterday I think we'd have won comfortably (I know McTominay was coming back off an injury and unlikely to play anyway though). There's just zero control in the centre with Pogba + Fred.

We also weren't patient enough in the build-up yesterday. I know Ole is all about "fast, direct, THE UNITED WAY" but there were a lot of times we were trying to force it too quickly and handing over the ball needlessly whilst out iof shape

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Don

Reg, this ain't 2010 fam and this ain't no farmer league where a 40 year old gets the golden boot as part of a non-functioning footballing side. One Ben Mee tackle and he'll put a call in to David Beckham about a summer move.

Brentford absolutely smashing the league as forecast :cool:

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10er says Ronaldo outscores any Liverpool player.

Words can't express how much I want Ronaldo to flop. Sadly he's going to Don everyone senseless. Our only hope is that Ole plays him laughably our of position like Lewis predicted.

Fam you've embarrassed yourself enough with your Pogba tackle tackes, have a day off. Prime CR7 wasn't in my man's league you think CR28 is gonna even reach Bobby levels? :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Don

Fam you've embarrassed yourself enough with your Pogba tackle tackes, have a day off. Prime CR7 wasn't in my man's league you think CR28 is gonna even reach Bobby levels? :D

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Stop blithering on like a retard and either take the bet or pipe down like the coward you are.

Heard Sancho was sick yesterday, low block demolished.

Ronaldo will basically have the team built around him. He'll do well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Don

Heard Sancho was sick yesterday, low block demolished.

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https://betterchickencommitment.com/...n-cutout-1.png

If Taz doesn't take that bet I reckon he should be banned from football threads.

And deported.

I just cba to keep track of these loose ends for the sake of a tenner ffs but fine, if it means so much to you gimps, give me that free money.

Peer pressure :drool:

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Don

I just cba to keep track of these loose ends for the sake of a tenner ffs but fine, if it means so much to you gimps, give me that free money.

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Don't worry, RL will keep track of it.

Is Taz/RL bet league only?

£10 is so small time. I want Taz to eat that pube sandwich.

Taz has cucked himself, Salah won’t play in January.

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Originally Posted by Waffdon

Is Taz/RL bet league only?

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I don't care, he can decide.

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A job is a job.

The Taliban are still kind of comical, aren't they, in a way that Islamic State never are/were. Again, I think it's the name. 'Taliban'. It just flows off the tongue in a poetic way to the western ear. If they were called Al-Muhajiroon Al-Waziri or something they wouldn't seem quite so cuddly.

Anyway, back on topic, I see Woking had a good win at Torquay earlier.

Back off topic, the mono-brow on the fella behind Martin is a strong effort.

I've never seen such bored gunmen.

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Originally Posted by Spikey M

Back off topic, the mono-brow on the fella behind Martin is a strong effort.

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He’s watching BBC and ITV equivalent of Afghanistan at the same time with them eyes

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:lol:

If they were going to execute you, you'd want him in the firing line-up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by randomlegend

Fernandes in the pivot :D

Our best side is probably:

De Gea
AWB
Varane
Maguire
Shaw
McTominay
Fred
Fernandes
Sancho/Greenwood
Ronaldo
Pogba

Grayson "keeper should have done better" Meenwood is so fucking good. When he gets the ball in the box you just have absolute confidence it's going in.

Varane was quietly very good indeed yesterday.

We still aren't doing anything of note without a better midfielder.

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Using the word pivot 🥲

Tough choice, Fernandes or fucking Fred. Hard choice.

The biggest endorsement of McFred is that it enabled Fred to graft his way off Sean's hate list, which, I'm sure by sheer coincidence, is all black players. He (Fred) is alright with some defensive help, because he can just be 'busy' and tidy up his little space. If he has to cover the full midfield for Paulp Ogba and Matic he doesn't know where to stand.

Do agree with that but he still has the technique of an amateur footballer. I think Sean has a strong Irish, Nordic or British checklist for his ultimate United signings but I'll let him confirm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kikó

Using the word pivot ��

Tough choice, Fernandes or fucking Fred. Hard choice.

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Yeah it's a hard choice deciding whether to play our best attacking outlet by 100 miles in his best position or as essentially a defensive midfielder. Hard choice.

You're negating the fact that Fred is dreadful.

The meltdown when he's in THE PIVOT after th International Break is going to be amazing.

Playing Fernandes deeper in a midfield 2 is indeed brain dead

If we have to play this formation, and the choice is Fred, Pogba or Fernandes (with Mctomminay) then it doesn't seem that brain dead to me.

Fred would be good under a proper coach.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kikó

If we have to play this formation, and the choice is Fred, Pogba or Fernandes (with Mctomminay) then it doesn't seem that brain dead to me.

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Definitely still braindead

Keeks has just messaged me saying he would put him in goal if De Gea went to shit.

There’s idiotmouse leaking privileged conversations from THE GROUP again. :nono:

@Mellin

https://youtu.be/_1FqQwgMZtg?t=3066

Who do you think the 2 worst professionals Roy Keane ever met were? One of them's definitely Darren Bent because he talks about him being in the media now.

Before I waste an hour of my life to find out, does that dog maul G Nev's to death at some point as a sweetener?

It's a really good interview tbh.

The stuff about asking him for a photograph made me lol out loud.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lewis

The stuff about asking him for a photograph made me lol out loud.

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Say what you want about him. He's genuinely funny.

Which one is the interviewer and which is the interviewee?

It's hard to take G Nev seriously after his stint at Valencia. All mouth and no trousers.

It's a class interview and by the end of it I've gone from thinking Roy Keane is a tit to thinking he might be the only sane man in football.

If you go down the squad list for Villa in that year there's no shortage of candidates for worst professionals, N'Zogbia jumps off the page for one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by phonics

@Mellin

https://youtu.be/_1FqQwgMZtg?t=3066

Who do you think the 2 worst professionals Roy Keane ever met were? One of them's definitely Darren Bent because he talks about him being in the media now.

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That was a great yarn.

I am so with him on the autographs/photos thing. I have been with mates and famous people have rocked up in the vicinity and my mates have turned into gibbering messes with excitement and hassled them, while I stood there shaking my head 50 yards away. What does it matter? Let them go about their day ffs.

Someone's annoyed they couldn't get any broccoli again.

It depends. I see no issue with approaching them in the same way you might approach anyone. If they're doing something, leave it. If they're free, go for it.

I wouldn't want a load of cunts bothering me whether I'm eating a meal or sat doing fuck all on a park bench.

To quote one of the great scholars. "I'm not here for your entertainment. You don't really wanna mess with me tonight".

Obviously eating counts as doing something. Besides, if you were rich due to a large group of people adoring you and throwing money your way then you'd probably have a different view. And I doubt you get anywhere near the heights of being recognised on the street without being a people person.

At the moment, your main risk is some other pikey coming up to you and shouting "oi, ain't you that dickhead that put my mum out on the street?"

Aside from the Max Clifford in a curry house one I have probably told before, I remember once being at a golf tournament and as we were leaving, one of my mates spotted Andrew Strauss (England cricket captain at the time) with his quite young son, also leaving. Both of my companions lost their shit, ran over to him shouting 'Straussy!' and asking for a picture, and I was just left standing there fifty yards away thinking leave him the fuck alone you losers.

Definitely on Team Roy on this one. Famous people don't owe us anything whatsoever.

Jimmy is always stood 50 yards from his mates. What the hell.

Nasty Nick once shook my mates hand in a bar after mistaking him for a friend. I hope I've added to this conversation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dquincy

Jimmy is always stood 50 yards from his mates. What the hell.

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It's so they can't hear me slagging them off.

I like your style.

Of course famous people don't owe us anything, and they have every right to tell anyone to fuck off. Running over to somebody like that whilst they're with their kid is a dickhead move, but being polite and striking up conversation with anybody is absolutely fine, famous or otherwise.

Mahow's a cunt.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dquincy

Mahow's a cunt.

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:cool:

I'd get D.O.T.S back together if Taz wasn't a mong these days.

Do we have any other members with a name beginning with T?

7om ruined his chances by trying to be cute.

Lets just say its Timmy Mallett or something.

Met Marc Albrighton whilst pissed Ibiza and spent about ten minutes telling him Paul lambert was a cock for not playing him and he deserved better so should leave. Obviously took my advice and flourished.

Also saw cristoph Berra roaming the strip monged off his face so we sang at him too.

:cool:

Most Cork people are tossers, Keane is no exception.

Is Cork/Munster the retarded bit of Ireland?