June football: The 'Not The Euros Thread' Thread

Right, so this thread is for any non- or pre-Euros stuff, whatever. Fascinating discussions about the xG of Enzo Maresca's Leicester team, the Real Madrid crowning ceremony this evening, whatever jokes Big Sir Brexit Jim gets up to next (I'm sure he's got Thoughts on the IT departments irregular email signatures.)

Then come the actual good bit of the football calendar I'll do a thread for the groups in... I dunno, a week or ten days or so? Whenever my heart tells me is the right time to do it.

Also Baz has asked me to plug this: Euro 2024 Competition - free to play

Cheers Ian.

Speaking of non-Euros, I used ChatGPT to simulate the entire tournament based on a few factors, but mainly bookies odds.

Final stages below, spoilered in case you want to enjoy the football:

Toggle Spoiler

Quarterfinals
Spain vs. Germany: Germany wins
Portugal vs. Netherlands: Portugal wins
England vs. Italy: England wins
Belgium vs. France: France wins

Semifinals
Germany vs. Portugal: Germany wins
England vs. France: France wins

France beat Germany in the final.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Baz

Cheers Ian.

Speaking of non-Euros, I used ChatGPT to simulate the entire tournament based on a few factors, but mainly bookies odds.

Final stages below, spoilered in case you want to enjoy the football:

Toggle Spoiler

Quarterfinals
Spain vs. Germany: Germany wins
Portugal vs. Netherlands: Portugal wins
England vs. Italy: England wins
Belgium vs. France: France wins

Semifinals
Germany vs. Portugal: Germany wins
England vs. France: France wins

France beat Germany in the final.

---

Lack of Poland there, clearly ChatGPT is wank.

Sancho to win 1-0

Red Bull buying a slice of Leeds.

I think Madrid will coast this about 3-0. Hopefully Dortmund score first to make it interesting.

Dortmund to outplay them for a bit, miss a bunch of chances and then get sunk by some ridiculous event.

There are plenty to choose from but I still think the Bayern goalkeeper diving over the ball and letting them win despite Bayern being the better side for 180 minutes of the semi was a high water mark for that. Was that the year Karius chucked them a few in in the final as well?

The concussion final? Aye. Might've been the same year Bale got his bicycle kick.

Madrid never usually romp the finals but definitely always win them. Even the 4–1 against Atletico was a collapse in ET after a last minute equaliser.

That Dortmund side looks absolutely shite. Liverpool and Man Utd duds in their midfield (and wing, really) and a journeyman lump up top. Hope they do something though

Wasnt there was poll game where we could use some points to make predictions on games and scores on threads? Was that this forum or another one?

I looked at Madrids team and thought they really need a striker and they'll be grand for years, then I remembered.

Good luck beating Don Carlo now.

2-1 Madrid for me.

I want Dortmund to win but I'm feeling 3-2 Madrid.

3-1 to Madrid but would be nice to see Dortmund win one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

I looked at Madrids team and thought they really need a striker and they'll be grand for years, then I remembered.

Good luck beating Don Carlo now.

---

Not even got their best side out. Militao, Alaba and Tchouameni would improve them I reckon

The state of this stewarding. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Shindig

The state of this stewarding. :D

---

He couldn't believe his luck, just wandering about unimpeded.

Courtois hasn’t been called up by Belgium? they all take 3 with them so why on earth would you not take him even if you were unsure of his fitness

Ryerson looks like he's an extra in Fight Club.

This ref has terrible decision in favour of Real Madrid written all over him.

Adeyemi you plum.

He's so one footed.

Runs in a straight line there and he scores. That composure :D

I thought that was going in.

Madrid’s defensive line is all over the gaff

He looked offside anyway.

Nacho and Carvajal are shit scared of Adeyemi in behind so their line is all wonky.

You’d hope so considering how he got in behind with that pace of his

Adeyemi is absolutely lightning.

They should just let him go. He'll trip over the ball or run it out of play more often than he'll get past Courtois

Adeyemi’s first touch is dog shit

Definitely seen this game before. One mistake from Dortmund and it will be game over.

Is there no VAR or what?

Nearly managed to chuck one in there.

"Vinicius" is absolutely unbearable.

Courtois went down in slow motion for that save. Looked like he could have smothered it fairly easily

Yeah, I've never really got him as a player and that was a shocking dive. Ref unsurprisingly rolled out a booking for whoever it was that pointed that out to him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

"Vinicius" is absolutely unbearable.

---

This is clearly building up to a 2-0 Madrid win against all moral judgement.

The referee seems to think we've tuned in to see him.

Referee already trying to make it about himself.

Get the polish bodybuilder back

'Doing a Nigel Owens' if you will.

A bit of needle brewing here. A shame to see half time.

Vini Jr nose is shaped like the front of an F1 car.

This is made for a scuffy Joselu tap-in

I still lol at 'Copacabana Dan James'.

Decent half. Shame the ref is a retard and Real Madrid are a deeply unlikeable set of bastards. I look forward to them scoring an undeserved last minute winner.

Didn't see the build up so this is my first view of Micah Richards' get up. Oh my.

Probably jinx him here but how could Maatsen not get a game for Chelsea at the start of the season?

Pochettino played him right wing and refused to play Hall whatsoever.

And Chilwell left wing with Colwill at left back. Good manager though

Game feels similar to the Europa League final, just Adeyemi isn't Lookman.

Bellingham has been chasing shadows all game

He's been completely anonymous throughout the knockout phase, it should be said.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Bellingham has been chasing shadows all game

---

Getting himself ready to play for England in the Euros.

Is the bottom half-inch of Bellingham's hairline painted in?

A Reus winner would be incredible.

Why take your only out ball/pace option? Even if he has been a bit shit

Bollocks.

Wankers

The most obvious goal ever

Classic Real game this. Be shit for most of the match but win anyway.

One and done.

Most inevitable thing ever.

Bellingham eh

Dortmund only have themselves to blame. They've had chances and wasted them.

44 fucking 2 with a couple of lumps up there. Mon

Been all Madrid for the last 15 minutes. Dortmund are done.

And that's the game.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Luke Emia

Probably jinx him here but how could Maatsen not get a game for Chelsea at the start of the season?

---

lol.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Luke Emia

Probably jinx him here but how could Maatsen not get a game for Chelsea at the start of the season?

---

Oh dear.

Is Dortmund anywhere near North London?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Magic

This is clearly building up to a 2-0 Madrid win against all moral judgement.

---

:happycry:

Who beats this Madrid team in the future when they get Mbappe?

Chelsea :cool:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Who beats this Madrid team in the future when they get Mbappe?

---

Their stadium looks like a licence to print money now as well. Unless they cock things up for themselves like Barcelona have you wouldn't bet against them having the next ten years like the previous.

City winning the league, again, Real winning the champions league, again. Fucking boring. Football is fucking wack at the moment.

'You go through life and so many people tell you you can't do things'. I suspect he hasn't had that said to him in a sporting context since he was about nine.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

City winning the league, again, Real winning the champions league, again. Fucking boring. Football is fucking wack at the moment.

---

Wack? Calm down, Flavor Flav.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Who beats this Madrid team in the future when they get Mbappe?

---

Don't forget Alphonso Davies too.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

'You go through life and so many people tell you you can't do things'. I suspect he hasn't had that said to him in a sporting context since he was about nine.

---

Ferguson managed to motivate his players by somehow convincing them they were the underdogs OVERCOMING and, in more modern parlance, SILENCING THE HATERS. I guess it's just an easy way for thick people to motivate themselves.

I'd take this over City winning everything. Leverkusen smashed Germany and then shat the bed in Europe, Fiorentina bottled it again and Everton are SUPER, DUPER MONEY-FUCKED.

https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/19...uthend-united/

What could have been :happycry:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by igor_balis

Ferguson managed to motivate his players by somehow convincing them they were the underdogs OVERCOMING and, in more modern parlance, SILENCING THE HATERS. I guess it's just an easy way for thick people to motivate themselves.

---

On a related note, I would love to know how Jose Mourinho rationalises falling further and further away from where he was.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

'You go through life and so many people tell you you can't do things'. I suspect he hasn't had that said to him in a sporting context since he was about nine.

---

They have to tell themselves this, it's pathological. I reckon they all scour social media daily looking for haters to prove wrong.

The other one is the talent vs hard work. At the elite level literally everyone is there because of talent alone. They tell themselves the opposite.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

On a related note, I would love to know how Jose Mourinho rationalises falling further and further away from where he was.

---

Easy. "I've done everything these is to do. I don't have to prove anything."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lewis

On a related note, I would love to know how Jose Mourinho rationalises falling further and further away from where he was.

---

I have to actively remind myself how good he was, because he just seems a bit ridiculous. Best way I can describe it is that for the last few years it feels like he's playing the character Jose Mourinho, pro-wrestler style. I don't feel that differently to when I see clips of Neil Warnock lying on youtube.

You can understand Tottenham and Roma in that doing well there could have been a way back into a serious club, but he could clean up in Turkey and nobody would care. If you get to that point you might as well just chase better money elsewhere or wait for the national job. I wonder if, like an old wrestler, he's still got all the coats he used to wear during his first Chelsea stint.

I mean, he is chasing the money. He does adverts for Turkish Airlines. At least this way, he can stay in Europe and get home pretty regularly. If he went to Saudi Arabia, we'd forget he exists.

Anyone not going to Saudi is a mug, really. Go there, £100 million a year for 3 years, retire on your megayacht.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

He couldn't believe his luck, just wandering about unimpeded.

---

Apparently a streamer offered £300k to anyone who did the ronaldo celebration wearing a shirt with his name on.

€150m signing on fee for Mbappe.

:cab:

Football not the winner there.

Sounds about right.

Save on the transfer fee. Give it to me. If your getting Mbappe for anything less than a world record fee. Its a bargain.

It sounds like an accounting wheeze since he's only - 'only' - getting £250000 a week. The signing fee being spready over five years takes him up to more like £750000 a week, which sounds about right for the best and most marketable player in the world. How do signing on fees get logged on your lolnancial lol play measures?

He'd still have earned more pissing around in Saudi Arabia last year.

£700m for a year wasn't it? Bonkers.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SincereTheRebel

Save on the transfer fee. Give it to me. If your getting Mbappe for anything less than a world record fee. Its a bargain.

---

Whilst the instant example isn't perhaps one to lose much sleep over, Qatar not getting the fee or whatever is hardly a tragedy and I don't know where any 'solidarity payments' would have gone, I'm guessing Monaco also have fairly despicable owners, but the idea of a move to a free agency system does present massive problems in terms of player development, money being kept within the game and the imbalance brought about by different national laws - most notably on tax. It can work in America as they have an entire system built around it, but if you increasingly get money departing the game in signing on fees and even more into the hands of ne'er-do-well agents etc then it's just another step away from what was [an admittedly outdated and rose-tinted view of] the heart of the game.

Going to be a sickener when Trent fucks off for nowt and in the process trousers a massive, 'untaxed' knowing Spain, signing on fee next summer.

Troy Parrott :cool:
God I hope he never goes back to the wasteland that is Spurs.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw4437m0gkpo

German head coach Julian Nagelsmann has condemned as "racist" a recent survey that asked participants if they wanted to see more white players on the national football team.

The poll by the ARD public broadcaster said 21% of respondents agreed with the proposition.

Germans getting funny ideas again...

James Forrest starting for Scotland in 2024 :sick:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw4437m0gkpo

German head coach Julian Nagelsmann has condemned as "racist" a recent survey that asked participants if they wanted to see more white players on the national football team.

The poll by the ARD public broadcaster said 21% of respondents agreed with the proposition.

Germans getting funny ideas again...

---

I'd imagine a lot of European nations at the moment would probably have higher than 21% agreeing with that, sadly.

I would have voted for *fewer* white players if I could.

The bottom paragraph of that article should be the mandatory bottom paragraph of any article that mentions Germany.

Scotland going well against one of their fellow home nations.

Instajinx.

Germany -1 and Swiss -1 against Scotland double 23/1. Tasty

I don't know why I put myself through heavily rotated England friendlies :yawn:

Just looked at the lineup. I know I'd be out of touch with a lot of modern stuff but would normally know England players. There's 3 players on that I've never heard of at all before and another 2 that I couldn't tell you who they play for.

Great use of VAR there. Use it to pick the clear shirt pull but ignore the clear push. Palmer building towards his first miss in a shoot out with that pen.

Just looked at the lineup. I know I'd be out of touch with a lot of modern stuff but would normally know Bosnian players. There's 8 players on that I've never heard of at all before and another 2 that I couldn't tell you who they play for.

Just came in on the hour, how has the Trent experiment been going, assuming he's playing somewhere odd?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

Just looked at the lineup. I know I'd be out of touch with a lot of modern stuff but would normally know Bosnian players. There's 8 players on that I've never heard of at all before and another 2 that I couldn't tell you who they play for.

---

Yeah that's the same. Petty little dipstick.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

Yeah that's the same. Petty little dipstick.

---

It was just a silly little comment, I wasn't having a go :(

Gordon to trip over, Palmer bags the penalties. Euros assured.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

It was just a silly little comment, I wasn't having a go :(

---

My bad. You normally are.

Lovely goal.

Is it coming home?

No.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Is it coming home?

---

How good are France?

Guehi and Watkins, no thanks.

Maresca has banned pepper.

Fraud alert.

That's why Messi was great, never seasoned his food.

Have you seen his pizza order? It wouldn't surprise me

https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/...0f1e44dd24.jpg

Man City are now suing the Premier League in order to remove the part of FFP that prevents clubs getting sponsorship money from a company owned by the same person/group as the club. Obviously the actions of the innocent. They have described the FFP rules as "tyranny of the majority."

They also want to change the fact that you need 14 of the 20 clubs approval to agree to rule changes etc.

It's believed for now at least 10-12 clubs are in support of the Premier League and have offered statements or evidence in their support.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by phonics

Have you seen his pizza order? It wouldn't surprise me

https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/...0f1e44dd24.jpg

---

What the actual fuck?

South Americans commit all sorts of culinary crimes and can pass it off as 'Latin flair' or 'cool vibes' or whatever.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Man City are now suing the Premier League in order to remove the part of FFP that prevents clubs getting sponsorship money from a company owned by the same person/group as the club. Obviously the actions of the innocent. They have described the FFP rules as "tyranny of the majority."

---

"tyranny of the majority." = democracy, no? Can see why they're peeved at that

If Man City don't like the rules the Premier League set, then leave and enter another competition, gimps. Nobody is obliged to take part.

Argentinian/Uruguayan restaurants make top notch pizza. I do not know what the fuck that is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Raoul Duke

"tyranny of the majority." = democracy, no? Can see why they're peeved at that

---

Also, FFP is clearly not the tyranny of the majority, but rather the tyranny of a minority of elite clubs.

Good sign that they're maybe starting to shit themselves. Perhaps their entirely above board and completely evidenced propriety, in the words of Pep, isn't all it seems. What a shock that would be.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pepe

Argentinian/Uruguayan restaurants make top notch pizza. I do not know what the fuck that is.

---

Fugazza :cool:

It wouldn't shock me if some news about what punishments they're looking at are starting to get to them. You'd got to think with the scale of the cheating that they're looking at at least one relegation.

My people continue to assure me that they're heading for the Unibond.

Given there are several American owners in the league, I wouldn't also be shocked to see them sued into oblivion should they be ruled guilty.

Hearing apparently set for November running into December. What a christmas present that would be to the league.

Looks like this is heading to its inevitable conclusion then. Rich Arab man doesn’t get his own way, throws toys out of pram.

Assume as well this has either been under embargo or someone has paid for an injunction to stop the news being released until the last minute.

You’d imagine Liverpool and United would be at the front of the queue supporting the PL seeing as they are the two teams who have lost out the most over the past 10 years.

I'm sure we've already done this at least a couple of times, but if you're a fan of a bottom half Prem/decent Champ team, would you take a Man City style 10-15 year run where you fly to the top, win a bunch of PLs & CLs, then get relegated right to the bottom of the pyramid & have to start over from nothing?

We almost had that with Pompey & I can see why people might rather float about safely in mid-table forever, but I feel like a lot of fans would probably say yes - all those years of peak memories & then you get to enjoy cheap, grass roots football for the next couple of decades with all the plastics, VAR & corporate waffle gone.

Wasn't there some sort of lower leagues Man Utd that all the REAL FANS were going to follow instead of the top flight sellouts?

I can't think of many people who would say no in that scenario. Hell, I thought we were having that scenario when the takeover finally happened. As it stands, I wonder if the faff around our Saudi benefactors has forced the Premier League to take the FFP stuff more seriously? But then you get Boehly spending absurd money so I'm not sure if there's any consistency to it.

Shane Duffy and Robbie Brady starting :face:

Villa, spurs and atletico all after Conor Gallagher. Imagine him under Simeone :drool:

His dream player

Selling Conor Gallagher to Villa or Spurs would be an absolute embarrassment.

Heard an interesting idea today... switch Saka back to left-back. Get Cold Palmer in a right midfield, Foden on the left. Southgate will obviously not do this, and to be fair Saka is so good on that right side, it's hard to drop him.

On current form you should absolutely be playing Palmer on the right over Saka. Pens or no pens. Saka at LB would be an interesting option, but no way defence first waistcoat goes with such an offensive fullback option.

He should be playing Rice and Trent in a holding 2, while you have Kane up front with Jude, Palmer and Foden doing what they want in between.

Is my memory off or was left-back where Saka started under Southgate?

It's where he started at Arsenal. Has had the Gareth Bale career arc. But without all of the trophies yet.

Can we not go 4-1-4-1:

Code:

---

                    Kane

Saka          Foden  Bellingham    Trent/Cold

                    Rice

Useless X    Useless Y  Stones          Walker

---

Defensive duties for the wide midfielders, hence the Trent option, so Foden and Bellingham can get in each others' way trying to play the same position?

I beg he plays ‘Trent’ in a 2 man midfield with Rice.

Does seem a fairly suicidal plan so I doubt he'll do it.

Just stick him at right back and accept he can't defend, it's not like England's defence is worth relying on anyway, even without him.

I see the retained lists are out and Brighton have kept on/given another contract to Benicio Baker-Boaitey. Great name.

Natural growth lads
https://i.imgur.com/mgeINAN.jpeg

Solksjaer Vs Mourinho in Turkey :drool:

Moyes to Trabzonspor?

Bruce to Genclerbirligi?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dark Soldier

Natural growth lads
https://i.imgur.com/mgeINAN.jpeg

---

I mean you can be sceptical about the Chelsea increases based on the rumours around them but those City ones are just taking the piss.

At this point it feels like this could be when football eats itself. Surely if City win when they sue the PL that’s it the competition is going to be finished you can’t just have clubs suing if something doesn’t go the way they want it to. I see there are claims that if City even get found guilty of one charge which surely they will then there are a host of clubs lining up to sue them and you have to believe Liverpool, United and Arsenal are at the absolute top of that list.

Julian Alvarez rumours. Fuck sake

Lloyd Kelly's coming to Newcastle on a free transfer. Contain your excitement.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/c3ggr2yee9zo

Depending on how many of those 100 are armpit offside, I fail to see the threat. An error that VAR would have corrected every 4 games? Not sure destroying the whole spectacle of the sport is necessarily worth that.

They should release stats on how many VAR reviews were conducted.

I just wanna go back to cheering goals as soon as you hear the net swoosh. :(

You could always support a local team in the lower leagues.

Darwin hattrick against @Pepe's boys :drool:

My prediction of the 7 players not to make it.

Maddison (confirmed)
Quansah
Trafford
Jones (confirmed)
Branthwaite
Bowen
Toney

I think Wharton goes because there is literally no back-up for Rice, Gomez and Konsa because of their versatility.

Jones now left the squad, too. But, looks like Dunk misses out, with Branthwaite making it.

Solksjaer stuff was guff, which is sad.

Maguire injured?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Arne

Darwin hattrick against @Pepe's boys :drool:

---

Send him back.

Wolves the only club to oppose VAR. Motion defeated 19-1.

Quite clever though as now any time next season a club moans about VAR, Wolves will be able to say 'See?'

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gray Fox

Wolves the only club to oppose VAR. Motion defeated 19-1.

---

Does this pass on City's proposed voting arrangements?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Baz

Maguire injured?

---

He and Grealish appear to be on the cut list.

Praise the lord.

Who is England’s centre backs? Guehi, Stones, Gomez and Dunk?

Bloody hell.

Branthwaite will make it. Might as well give us the trophy now.

Aye. If Maguire is out both Dunk and Branthwaite will remain. Quansah the only defender to leave. The last two spots to go will be Trafford or Henderson and then Bowen or Toney, I suspect.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Who is England’s centre backs? Guehi, Stones, Gomez and Dunk?

Bloody hell.

---

There are no particularly good options, but at least biffing Maguire removes one very bad option. It's a sorry state of affairs though.

Dunk's inclusion is several years too late really if they are considering actually playing him.

Is Colwill in the squad? Konsa?

I think they’re reporting Braithwaite is out.

There can’t be many nations with such a difference in talent in centre back (and maybe left back) to any other position.

Scotland had a pretty big talent differential between leftback and the rest of the team at one point, albeit the other way around.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

There are no particularly good options, but at least biffing Maguire removes one very bad option. It's a sorry state of affairs though.

Dunk's inclusion is several years too late really if they are considering actually playing him.

Is Colwill in the squad? Konsa?

---

Nah, Colwill didn’t get called up. Dunk is absolutely shite. I have no idea why people still rate him. Presumably because he can pass a ball forward fairly well.

Forgot about Konsa. Him and Jomez are there to fill in the blanks for each position across the back 4 I guess.

He's not shite but he isn't really starting at international level quality and not coming off the back of the best season.

Maybe Gaz is going to go fully mad and start Walker in the middle with Stones.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Scotland had a pretty big talent differential between leftback and the rest of the team at one point, albeit the other way around.

---

A team of full backs and centre mids and fuck all else.

But yeah, I meant the fact they have world class players (or players that walk into any side in the world) in every position from midfield and onwards (and right backs, lots of right backs)

Particularly maddening seeing as England has pretty much always had a good few top class centre halves at any given time, and now there are none.

Quote:

---

England's reported 26-man squad for Euro 2024
published at 16:04
16:04
Here it is then folks... these are reported to be the 26 players England coach Gareth Southgate will be taking to Germany this summer.

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale.

Defenders: Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Luke Shaw, John Stones, Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Adam Wharton.

Forwards: Jude Bellingham, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins.

---

Guess it's all on who starts at the back on Friday.

10 'forwards' feels a bit batshit.

Should be Stones and either Guehi or Konsa, even if Maguire and Branthwaite are both available.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Particularly maddening seeing as England has pretty much always had a good few top class centre halves at any given time, and now there are none.



Guess it's all on who starts at the back on Friday.

10 'forwards' feels a bit batshit.

---

10 'forwards' but if Kane gets injured we'll only have Watkins that can actually play up front (I'm assuming Toney gets ditched).

If Bukayo Saka's a forward then I'm a scotch egg.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ben

10 'forwards' but if Kane gets injured we'll only have Watkins that can actually play up front (I'm assuming Toney gets ditched).

---

Toney is going. Which is mental as he’s been utter dogshit since coming back

If someone was 100% guaranteed to score a penalty, but useless at all other aspects of football, would they be worth taking to a tournament? I reckon they might be.

Should be an 18 man squad imo. XI and seven subs. If someone falls over then call up a replacement for the next game.

That centre-back selection worries me. The first decent team we come across will score at some point, which means the manager will have to respond, which he has repeatedly proven that he can't, so we're stuffed.

I would say we just need to score first, but the Croatia game and the Italy game put pay to that theory, as the plan then diverts to focusing the game on our terrible defence.

20 years since the summer of Rooney. That was probably peak England for those few weeks. Was it even that long?

What was Sir Gareth expecting from Grealish in that 30 minute cameo on Monday? He couldn't have looked sharper.

Grealish will probably get tickets and be pissed in the concourse.

Watching highlights of England's run in 2021 and it staggers me how good Sterling was.

I would have bought Jack. Bring him on to draw fouls in last 20 minutes.

Gordon can do that but we're missing the opportunity to do that on both flanks.

:lol:

Top work all round.

Well then.

Craig Gordon. :cool:

Future folk will look back on this era and wonder how such a talented group of players got to be managed but such a clueless, limited manager that is G Southgate.

This sporting travesty will only be appreciated in years gone by.

Patterns of play. Really good structures.

No pattern of play, no structure, no idea. Pretty much been indicative of England forever, chuck a bunch of ostensibly much better than their opponent players together and watch them fumble around fecklessly having rings run around them by every other international team imaginable, who somehow manage to coach a coherent style of play or strategic approach into their players.

Another masterclass from player of the year Foden.

The less said about his City defensive colleagues and the fucking goalkeeper the better.

Palmer > Foden

Common knowledge

Yeah, he was a rare bright spark. Will probably be permadropped now.

View Tweet

:harold:

We should just field a shithouse eleven and war our way to victory.

Ramsdale/Pickford - Coin toss
Walker
Gomez
Dunk
Shaw/Trippier - Take your pick
Gallagher
Trent
Gordon
Bellingham
Palmer/Bowen
Kane

Ramsdale would drop the coin.

I reckon England either win it or we have Euro 2016 all over again.

All I got from yesterdays highlights is that we don't know how to deal with a resolute defence. Playing 'the right way' has become such a staunch religion that there is no plan B.

Steinberg :harold:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

I reckon England either win it or we have Euro 2016 all over again.

---

Either outcome extremely off brand for waistcoat.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by danny

steinberg :harold:

---

View Tweet

:lol:

It’s gone.

Sorted

I figure it was that one but was thinking there was new nonsense from him.

What was the thesis? People saying Mainoo was out of position for the goal are racists? Was he? I didn't really notice, more that Walker was caught up the pitch, which is quite lol seeing as his attacking output is absolutely zero, and Stones then nicely shepherded the forward inside to have a shot.

On the subject of Mainoo, he looks much more adept to be a box-to-box midfielder or an 'eight' if that's the modern parlance. Expecting him to sit as Rice Mk2 isn't going to work out where he is expected to do actual defensive work and not concede possession in dangerous areas. He seems to have a good feel for an incisive flick or quick pass forward, but on the halfway line that isn't always what you want.

I'm assuming one of the replies called him a stupid Jew or something.

He pretty much blamed him for the goal when there was 3/4 or more culpable players, then he said the reason Rice had a bad game is because Mainoo isn’t disciplined. Despite Rice being the one of the two out of position for the goal (if either of them). Just smacks of wanting to dig him out for no reason.

He also pissed a bunch of United fans off with his made up EtH is getting the sack no matter what shit before the finals. So he’s getting stick. Obviously because he’s a Jew, not because he is putting out shit.

Brighton on the cusp of appointing some 31 year old polo neck toting Americo-German. What could possibly go wrong?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Danny

He pretty much blamed him for the goal when there was 3/4 or more culpable players, then he said the reason Rice had a bad game is because Mainoo isn’t disciplined. Despite Rice being the one of the two out of position for the goal (if either of them). Just smacks of wanting to dig him out for no reason.

He also pissed a bunch of United fans off with his made up EtH is getting the sack no matter what shit before the finals. So he’s getting stick. Obviously because he’s a Jew, not because he is putting out shit.

---

ah yes, the Baddiel gambit

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Brighton on the cusp of appointing some 31 year old polo neck toting Americo-German. What could possibly go wrong?

---

What is it about these people? Do they just know how to work a boardroom?

Brighton's track record of employing people I've never heard of is pretty good. :shrug:

Relegation beckons, although hopefully I'm wildly wrong.

Thornaby FC's committee has voted to entirely remove the female section of the club effective immediately all the way from junior teams to their women's team, people going mental about it and others claiming it is too costly to run, should be fun seeing rhe outcome of this. Can the FA force a club to run those teams because it is discrimination if they don't?

The challenge with women's sport being integrated into previously men's sports clubs over the last 20 odd years has been that the women's side costs the same as the men's (in coaching hours, pitch prep/hire, kit provision etc) but generally brings in fuck all other than the subs, which are also fewer because there are fewer of them. If you're a committee member then it's easy to get drawn into that kind of balance-sheet logic.

Can't they just start up their own club? I'm sure Thornaby FC haven't went as far as banning them from doing so.

Fair point by Giggles. Start up your own club, ladies.

For lower league teams, who typically srruggle to balance the books, if there is something sucking the finances out of your club then why shouldn't they be allowed to cut ties.

Thornaby is just up the road from me. What the publicity neglects to say about all this is that their clubhouse got burnt down so they're fucked for cash as it is due to the renovation.

Also I learned last week that if my (amateur) cricket club gets promoted this season, then we NEED to have a girls team otherwise the ECB can deny our promotion. We haven't even got one female cricketer signed up, never mind 11.

Yes there were similar daft requirements for our American Football team that could barely field a team some weeks, we were expected to have a women's team, a flag team and a junior team. The governing body stipulating that currently tying itself in knots over trans players, even dafter given the 'mens' game is actually unisex it's just there are women only leagues that they want to play in.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/cjmmrwk4nz0o

They see Everton as a "sleeping giant" of English football with potential to secure a place "at the top of world football again" through the new stadium being built on Bramley-Moore Dock.

lol.

Fuck sake. I really thought we were going to finally see them relegated.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/c888v0lwxy2o

Not to continue my far right views, but this is mental to make such a fuss about. Seeing Saka in the article makes no difference at all. They probably used it as it had a shot of Southgate in deep conversation with one of his players.

Does anyone even care about the loss? It was a friendly against Iceland and the players chief concern was not getting injured. You'd have to be an absolute fanny to be bothered.

Half the Thornaby FC board stepped down.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Fuck sake. I really thought we were going to finally see them relegated.

---

Do unnamed members of middle eastern royal families ever actually pan out?

Quote:

---

London-based businessman and lawyer Vatche Manoukian is leading a bid alongside an unnamed Saudi royal and families with a high-net worth from the United States.

---

Couldn't really sound more dodgy.

Sounds like one of the many phantom buyers Mike Ashley courted until some lass from Yorkshire kicked his door down.

Ten Hag STAYS.

Juve after Greenwood.

Talk of him getting a new deal is silly, but this should be his prove it season. Buy the players he asks for and judge him properly for it.

Wasnt the problem so far that he kept asking for players from Eredivise that are wank?

Asking someone who's won two trophies to 'prove it' is a bit late in the day. I get it, the league form has been all over the shop but he's got them silverware.

The problem is it's not just poor form, aside from the cup final he's had United set up in a way that lets any half competent team bypass their midfield and take unlimited potshots at goal.

No evidence this wont happen again next season.

Qatar's goal last night, which effectively knocked India out of World Cup qualifying.

View Tweet

That looks out but I need an overhead angle to really be sure.

My heart bleeds for them.

Some fun stuff in African qualifying. Nigeria, managed by Finidi George, with their pretty star-studded team as these things go, have made an absolute horlicks of it so far, and after 4 games find themselves behind not only South Africa in their group but also Rwanda, Benin and Lesotho.

Senegal have also made a slightly ham-fisted start and find themselves in a 3-way race with Sudan and Dr C.

That could well be in.

Japan/Spain vibes.

De Zerbi to Marseille. Absolutely here for him holding court at some dive bar off the Vieux Port as a race riot happens in the background.

Why'd he leave the premier league to go to fucking ligue un?

I dunno but I get the impression he'll fit right in there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

Why'd he leave the premier league to go to fucking ligue un?

---

League aside, they're massive compared to Brighton. Plus you get to live in France.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Giggles

League aside, they're massive compared to Brighton. Plus you get to live in France.

---

HUGE negative.

Okay, plus you get to live closer to Italy.

Better?

Winner.

The only good thing about France is that it's a buffer-state between us and Italy.

I think De Zerbi and Brighton came to the conclusion that they should just see other people, their worldviews were not aligned.

Marseille are much better positioned to match his ambition, ie playing in the champions league and maybe competing to win things. More historic club and much better place to live as well.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

I think De Zerbi and Brighton came to the conclusion that they should just see other people, their worldviews were not aligned.

Marseille are much better positioned to match his ambition, ie playing in the champions league and maybe competing to win things. More historic club and much better place to live as well.

---

But France lol.

South of France on a big salary is a more or less unbeatable lifestyle, if you can put up with the absolute snakepit that is OM politics.

It'll be an interesting race to see who gets into a fight first between Antonio Conte & Aurelio De Laurentiis at Napoli, De Zerbi & basically anyone in Marseille or Mourinho & everyone in Turkey that isn't Fenerbahce.

If there isn't some kind of doc crew following Jose around I'll be disappointed. Exactly the kind of low-level shitfest that he will thrive in, at least in delivering his aesthetic if not necessarily in success.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Boydy

Why'd he leave the premier league to go to fucking ligue un?

---

lol it's like when joe cole was saying payet surely made a mistake leaving west ham for marseille, and bilic was like ????

but in all seriousness, i actually like seeing a brighton ---> marseille move, it's the kind of incremental, intermediate step that never seems to happen these days (did it ever, really?) but intuitively makes more sense to me than the likes of potter just going straight to a #MASSIVECLUB and shitting the bed immediately

What has happened under Pochettino should fully exonerate Potter.

Everton have a buyer. It's another Yank. :moop:

How many is that now? English football is fucked when the PL reaches double figures.

Looked outside.

Fixtures out.

Ignominious start awaits Slot.

Nightmare start for Brighton.

Straight in with the 12:30 kick off too.

United away in his 3rd game should be a good test.

Our start doesn't look too bad. FA Cup scheduling is ... arsed.

Quote:

---

One welcome change from last season is the decision to return the Fifth Round to a weekend slot rather than midweek as has been the case in recent years.

However that's partially offset by scheduling Fourth Round ties across six consecutive days from Friday February 7th to Wednesday February 12th.

---

Stop killing it!

Perfect opportunity for the Leicester manager to stamp his authority over his bald mate ‘pep’

United away on a Friday night to open the season. That's a real shitter if I try to go, would have to blag an early finish at work.

I've just seen our last home fixture is once again Manchester City, this time on the final day. How boring.

West Ham don’t have a game outside of London until November. Quite lol.

That Liverpool 12.30 kick off has broken a few brains on social media.

:D

Surely it's the best time to get one of the dreaded 12.30s out of the way?

View Tweet

There's a fair chance Wolves won't be getting any points until November. :happycry:

First bit of Gateshead news for the new season: Rob Elliot is now a permanent manager with Louis Storey being his assistant. I forgot those two were interim choices for the last year.

How do I go about watching the Copa America?

Premier sports iptv Reddit soccer streams

Lovely jubbly.

We're in July now but anyway, I've got a spare ticket for United v Rangers for the following weekend in Edinburgh. Does any of the TTH folk fancy it? @Ian

Ian hasn't been seen all MONTH.

Maybe he's dead and if so, is this going to be our only football thread for the rest of our lives?

Haven't seen a good on-pitch dust up in a while, the soundtrack just adds to it.

View Tweet

Hopefully @Ian is just superstitious and staying away while England keep winning or something.

The spear. :lol:

Amazing soundtrack.

Sounds like FSG are already running Bordeaux ahead of their takeover. Seems a bit of a free hit for them almost. Rumoured fee in the £70m area which if they can get the club back up and running again it will seem a pittance.

'Rumoured fee'

:sick:

Club acquisition becoming akin to, or part of, the transfer market.

Club bought for about the same price as our last big striker. Madness isn't it?

I'm not a fan of this multi-club shite but here we go I guess.

Have they got a new Henri Saivet we can groom?

Fm 2008. :drool:

And just like that it's fallen through. Main stumbling block appeared to be that the City owns the stadium and not the club.

Aghast that they wouldn't be able to turn it into un parc retail.

Good to know that's where the focus is though. Important to get the multi-club model functioning as a priority.

Wesley Fofana calling out Enzo Fernandez (and Argentina) for being racists on his social media. Singing about African/french players probably not the smartest move when the spine of your team is French :lol:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

Ian hasn't been seen all MONTH.

Maybe he's dead and if so, is this going to be our only football thread for the rest of our lives?

---

When do we raise the alarm? He won’t miss the NFL draft surely.

That was in April.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

Wesley Fofana calling out Enzo Fernandez (and Argentina) for being racists on his social media. Singing about African/french players probably not the smartest move when the spine of your team is French :lol:

---

Good news for Todd and Co. This the kind of time that having all your players signed up to 6/7/8 year contracts and someone does something idiotic like this which could alienate half your other players might just be an issue.

Last time there was a racist incident at Chelsea they won the CL at the end of the season so all good.

It's such a shambles of a club nowadays.

I do like how Fernandez is the only one getting heat when the whole bus is quite clearly singing along to it. Just like when it was being sung after the World Cup

What were they singing?

What happens at the Copa stays at the Copa.

Do they have some sort of historical beef with France or is it more a straight up negrito 'cultural differences' type thing?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pepe

What were they singing?

---

.

Quote:

---

they play for france
but are from angola
how nice they are going to run
they are cometravas (like to fuck transgender)
their mom is nigerian
their father cambodian
but on the passport, french

---

Are any of those countries former French colonies? Seems like Cameroon, Vietnam and, I dunno, maybe even Senegal might have been better?

those Argentinians are still harboring nazi fugitives

Argentina doesn't get enough shit as a nation.

The fact their entire team are fully tattooed rats, apart from Martinez who is just a rat, should tell you enough.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

Are any of those countries former French colonies? Seems like Cameroon, Vietnam and, I dunno, maybe even Senegal might have been better?

---

You should never overestimate the level of education in Spanish-speaking countries. Outside the upper crust of society they are all thick as pigshit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

You should never overestimate the level of education in Spanish-speaking countries. Outside the upper crust of society they are all thick as pigshit.

---

Lol some cheek.

It really should be enshrined into the rules of the gane that you are allowed a free Van Bommel on these cunts when you play them.

Zokora had a great way of dealing with racism to be fair.

Philadelphia Union just brought on 14yr Cavan Sullivan for his debut. Youngest debutant in MLS history. He also happens to have some sort of clause that he will join Man City when he's 18.

He looks about 44.

Freddie Adu was 14, wasn't he? Is this one of those records that have been broken by 19 days or something?

Anyway, hope he enjoys joining a League 2 Man City.

His brother, Quinn Sullivan, is pretty good on FM24.

Is anyone else going under the bus for this racist chanting business? Are we going to be without 'Alexis' as well as dear old Darwin next season? Although that all seems to have gone quiet.

Get the Tshirts printed ASAP.

Martinez and Garmacho was definitely not chanting on that bus.

Tim Vickery's slightly weird sociology and eugenics think piece has this belter in it:

Quote:

---

Dark-skinned people are often nicknamed 'el negro' - which carries no negative connotation.

---

JUSTICE!

Alexis wasn't on the bus. Nunez on the other hand I'm expecting a few games for. No matter what happened they wont want the image of a player launching himself into crowd troubles to go unpunished.

https://gyazo.com/c1882f600a8aadcc74fb84f7b51d5304.jpeg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Freddie Adu was 14, wasn't he? Is this one of those records that have been broken by 19 days or something?

---

13 days. Close enough.

I saw something saying that its more of a stunt. Sounds like he is good but they have been shit this season so are like fuck it, chuck him in and get people excited.

Peyton Miller’s the American child to watch.

Thats Baz on a list.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

He looks about 44.

---

It's really Freddy Adu with a new name.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Spikey M

Get the Tshirts printed ASAP.

---

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/cv2g3np5p9do

:harold:

View Tweet

:D

dots.

:lol:

BG Pathum beat a fairly strong Dortmund side 4-0 today.

Adeyemi, Sule, Ryerson, Brandt, Haller and Moukoko all played for Dortmund.

View Tweet

:D

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/c729r8py9yeo

Lengthy bans plz.

What's happened to Darwin's lengthy ban?

Olympics footy kicks off today. Loads of games.
1400: Argentina v Morocco
1400: Uzbekistan v Spain
1600: Guinea v New Zealand
1600: Egypt v Dom Rep
1800: Iraq v Ukraine
1800: Japan v Paraguay
2000: France v USA
2000: Mali v Genocide FC

Times are UK.

For some reason I read those as years rather than times, forgot where I was, and for a split second thought I was reading a list of really obscure wars.

The dream is Israel going through and forcing a clash with an Arab nation, although Mali are pretty close tbh.

How are Uzbekistan and DRC in this but UK and Brazil to name a couple couldn’t qualify :D

Because no footballer worth a fuck is interested in playing Olympic football. Who is in the Spain squad?

Not sure about that. A lot of the decent under 23s wouldn’t have got permission from clubs to play

Genuinely surprised Man City allowed Julian Alvarez go, makes me think he’s offski

Apparently the UK couldn’t agree on a quota who plays from each country. Just pick the England squad, not like swimmers from Scotland and Wales would get picked over English people

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

How are Uzbekistan and DRC in this but UK and Brazil to name a couple couldn’t qualify :D

---

Team GB hasn't been at Olympic football since 1960 (prior to 2012 which was a special occasion as it was a home games), although they did try to qualify in 64, 68 and 72.

It used to just be the England amateur team but they disbanded.

Will never happen again as Scotland, Wales and Top Ireland will never agree.

Scotland actually qualified twice in the 90s but both times refused as they'd have had to play matches as GB.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Waffdon

How are Uzbekistan and DRC in this but UK and Brazil to name a couple couldn’t qualify :D

---

Because it's based on the continental u23 tournaments and Asia and Africa each get three berths.

If we're GB, we should be able to enter on any continent based on our overseas possessions.

Argentina scored their equaliser in the 106th minute... Of normal time :/

The goal was fabulous chaos

Aye, proper carnage.

View Tweet

Is Lionel playing? Surprised the IOC haven't forced him out there with mafia connections.

With the state of his ankle last week I don't he'll be playing for a little while.

But what about the sponsors?

Been disallowed now.

Is it too late to change a few of those Ovrebo decisions from 2009?

Argentina :harold:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9zpLt9ycno/

New Brighton signing might be a don.

That guy going to ground attempting the block. :lol:

Adingra scored a few belters in pre-season last year

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by -james-

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9zpLt9ycno/

New Brighton signing might be a don.

---

Yep. That's why I'm mad he was sold.

I can't yet take him seriously as his name sounds like Gary Neville describing an after eight.

I had missed Derry City getting bummed out of Europe by a literal pub team, who are now playing Copenhagen in the next round. Quite lulzy.

View Tweet

Why are we playing league three shitmunchers in pre-season? I mean, I know why, but it's fucking stupid.

It is. I simply can't believe the demand is actually there for Wrexham to be playing anyone of note. Presumably those that are bankrolling it haven't yet had the financials in for review.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

It is. I simply can't believe the demand is actually there for Wrexham to be playing anyone of note. Presumably those that are bankrolling it haven't yet had the financials in for review.

---

I think they've got loads from the Netflix series. My aunt, who had definitely never watched a game of football before, messaged me to say she was watching one of their televised cup games last season. Their subreddit has almost as many members as Villa's

Clever to hold on to the shirt when grappling otherwise one or both would have been down on the ground holding their face.

Though Pep Jr's comments after the game were more lolworthy. As long as they don't settle into some safe top 4/6 mediocrity Chelsea should be good value next season. Could go either way.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Yevrah

It is. I simply can't believe the demand is actually there for Wrexham to be playing anyone of note. Presumably those that are bankrolling it haven't yet had the financials in for review.

---

Apparently more than 30k in attendance, the majority of which were supporting Wrexham.

Bayern Munich lol'ed their way to a 14-1 win over a 9th (NINTH) tier team yesterday. They did them 20 something last season, so 14 ain't so great. Also featured an Eric Dier getting out muscled by a postman/bank teller/delivery driver for their consolation.

I'd have thought the power of the Wrexham story was in their pokiness and obscurity, and that having them rolling down Sunset Boulevard would take a bit of the edge off, but maybe I'm awarding too much nuance to the American mind.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Jimmy Floyd

I'd have thought the power of the Wrexham story was in their pokiness and obscurity, and that having them rolling down Sunset Boulevard would take a bit of the edge off, but maybe I'm awarding too much nuance to the American mind.

---

Was it not you that said before that yanks don't like underdogs?

Wrexham are pretty MASSIVE now due to the Disney show.

Loads of new "fans".

I still remember Mickey Thomas the bastard :(

I think I have more respect for that bloke who tried to move Wimbledon to Milton Keynes than I do the Wrexham 'project'.

FC Girondins de Bordeaux are kaput.

That's insane.

Wasn't long ago that they were still in the Europa and Champions League.

New FM save unlocked though.

Wrexham's website crashed when they released a new kit after their disney show. MASSIVE.

Mikel Arteta looking like Simon Cowell every passing day

Trey Nyoni looks a hell of a player for us. A little lightweight, but so good on the ball. This pre-seasons Quansah, hopefully. Blair and Doak impressive, too.

Whereas Endo looked out of his depth.

Yeah definitely looked off it. Hopefully Jones' injury isn't serious, could be a big year for him. I did think a few of our players looked kinda skinny, more weights needed. Also lol at Bellerin, shadow of the player he used to be, and a stupid fucking hair do.

Quote:

---

The changes in the style of play came in a fluid 4-2-4 formation and the Reds played without a striker.

Again, it was partly down to the limited personnel, but Klopp's gegenpressing style turned into a slower possession-based approach, typically favoured by Johan Cryuff-influenced Dutch coaches.

---

Sounds great.

Everything about Slot screams 5th place finish.

Slower possession approach? He'll never be as good as Southgate.

Not to mention all the drugs have left along with Klopp.

Sir Gareth would never concern himself with things like possession.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ben

Not to mention all the drugs have left along with Klopp.

---

Robertson will never play again.

Newcastle official start their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 win over Hull. Isaak and Murphy scoring, Wilson injured himself as soon as he got back to training. We need to buy a less crocked striker.

This Leicester manager in charge of Chelsea is going to be sacked by October. One win in nine type of shit.

I liked his "you've got to decide what type of goal you are going to concede" comment after apparently twice being turned over faffing around being brave on the ball. I understood what he was getting at, and he did further clarify himself, but I thought it was a funny comment.

Celtic should be 4-0 up. I know it is pre season but this defensive set up is hilarious. All the defenders man marking and playing higher up than the spurs defence when down to 9 men

And turning Reece James into a full back who ‘inverts’. Makes me sick. Modern football is bollocks

It's alright, few more signings in the bag today. 3 average goalkeepers equals one decent one, right? Getting pumped by Celtic and held by Wrexham all incidental. Different stages of their preparation.

There’s getting pumped and there’s getting pumped 4-0 :D

What a club

I've only got it on the BBC score update thing, but is that Mo Johnstone they've just dug up scoring the fourth?

Quote:

---

Striker Rasmus Hojlund and £52m new signing Leny Yoro both suffered first-half injuries as Manchester United lost their opening US tour game against Premier League rivals Arsenal 2-1 in Los Angeles.

---

Next season lads.

They looked fairly minor

(:happycry:)

I don't see the point on hanging around with Maresca, should probably just sack him now and put Yevrah in charge.

Valentin Barco genuinely looks like a 12 year scally from some council estate.

He's like Canelo Alvarez. If you'd never seen him before, you'd expect him to bust out in a Paisley accent.

I’d love to know how the ginger Argies come about.

Loads of Welsh went there 100+ years ago, and presumably a few Scots and Irish too if MacAllister is anything to go by.

https://onefootball.com/editorial/39825371

Feels a bit weird that a currently active player is allowed to buy a majority stake in a team.

Should be allowed, but he shouldn't then be allowed to play for anyone except them.

Quote:

---

The Mail report that former Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has been approached regarding the vacant position of Jamaican national team boss.

---

Alright, back in the game. :cool:

Good monager

Have at it lads, lol list:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/...s-21st-century

Toggle Spoiler

1: Messi
2: C.Ronaldo
3: Henry
4: Zidane
5: Modric
6: Mbappe
7: Iniesta
8: Xavi
9: Ronaldo Nazario
10: Ronaldinho
11: Zlatan
12: De Bruyne
13: Kroos
14: Ramos
15: Puyol
16: Benzema
17: Busquets
18: Lewandowski
19: Kaka
20: Neymar
21: Pirlo
22: Rooney
23: Vieira
24: Suarez
25: Buffon

Hard to argue really, although you could have punted Neymar down a bit further to wind him up.

Modric at 5th might be a bit of a stretch. Not outrageous by any means, but still.

Just the one Englishman. We really do punch above our weight on the international stage.

Henry is too high and the lack of Englishmen is down to our continued failure on the international stage.

No Hazard or Bale looool

No Lahm is a proper lol. Modric being fifth despite doing fuck all at international level is a double lol.

I'd have Iniesta over Modric but that's the only thing I'd change.

Finally people realise Henry’s godlike abilities

Henry above Zidane is a nonsense. As is Modric being fifth.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Adramelch

Modric at 5th might be a bit of a stretch. Not outrageous by any means, but still.

---

I would say Modric legacy has gone further than Xavi but just behind Iniesta.

Who cares. It's a team game. You can have your Messi/Ronaldo debate if you like, but when you start trying to pin down the vagueries of the 17th best player this century then you've made a wrong turn somewhere. Why would you have Lewandowski over Kane?

No Kante? :happycry:

Actually, is it just a list of players who have played for Barcelona and Real? It may as well be.

Henry doesn’t even deserve top 10 for not scoring in a cup final

Sleeping on Maldini.

And Cafu.

Needs more Andy Townsend.

*Andros

Turtle. Or his footballing equivalent, Pepe.

I assumed it was restricted to 1 Jan 2000 onwards, otherwise Zidane is obviously above Henry.

Leny Yoro on crutches and in a boot. The Man Utd defensive curse goes on

Jacob Murphy's unstoppable form continues. Two goals against Urawa Red Diamonds in a 4-1 win. Should've been a lot closer but they had a penalty saved and both defences were rusty.

View Tweet

That is some going.

Steve McLaren taking over as Jamaica manager is amazing.

Okay, that's better than Bruce. :D

I can't wait to hear his accent.

View Tweet

What haven't they cheated at?

The coin toss. I'm only saying that so I can will the "Manchester City use SPECIAL COINS to CHEAT" news stories into existence.

Need the extra time to get all the drugs into Kyle Walker's system.

One approach from USMNT and Klopps retired.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sir Andy Mahowry

I can't wait to hear his accent.

---

View Tweet

Is there a good explanation as to why City kept breaking these kick-off rules? Does 'Pep' really have to yammer on that much when they were probably coasting in all of the games?

Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal.

That's the title wrapped up.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

They looked fairly minor

(:happycry:)

---

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/cg647g1q7w0o

(:happycry:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Arne

Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal.

That's the title wrapped up.

---

Hopefully Elliot has a good season in the 10 role.

Genius from Levi Roots, who I presume is in charge of the PR function of Jamaican football, to heavily trail Steve Bruce in advance to soften the blow of it being McClaren. A true pro.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/cg647g1q7w0o

(:happycry:)

---

This is good, it forces us to buy De Ligt.

(:happycry:)

Ah I see overnight we have discovered Harvey Elliott is the best player in the world and the quad is in the bag.

Do you really need to sign new players when you already have Harvey Elliott in the squad? I think not.

New players is a fools game. They just get injured and out for 3 months immediately. Bringing in set piece coaches and vibes is all you need.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by randomlegend

This is good, it forces us to buy De Ligt.

---

Have De Ligt's relative travails since leaving Ajax been in any way injury related?

View Tweet

:cool:

Yokohama F. Marinos 2-0 Newcastle. Clearly a new manager bounce as they've recently kicked out Harry Kewell.

Man City C team 4-0 up and counting against nearly a full strength Chelsea side. Two weeks time should be fun :D

I know pre-season scores should be ignored, but the performances have me liking this style of SlotBall.

KloppBall was always quite grindy for 4 out of every 5 games with the other one being the one we score all of our chances and win 5-0. Also interesting to hear him having watched how we played previous and his first instinct is to get us to stop giving up counter attacks.

Chelsea and Man Utd both look pretty turd, though the Collyer lad looks good for Man Utd.

City getting to lay the smack down on an inept Chelsea in the opening game of the season bodes poorly for the league. Usually one of the few games they struggle with every season.

Chelsea surely have the worst collection of CB's in the league. From the games I've seen Adarabioyo, Colwill, Badiashille looks absolutely terrible. Sanchez doesn't exactly inspire confidence, either.

We’ve lost all three of our US pre-season games, although things have slowly got better - 4-1, then 2-0 and then 1-0 overnight :/

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by niko_cee

City getting to lay the smack down on an inept Chelsea in the opening game of the season bodes poorly for the league. Usually one of the few games they struggle with every season.

---

Will probably end up similar to the last game between them at Stamford Bridge. 5-3 City or something bonkers like that. Man City have barely played a first team player all pre season. They’ll be sluggish at the back for the opening few games. No way Haaland doesn’t lol past the defence he’s against though. Manager has it all wrong

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by John Arne

Chelsea surely have the worst collection of CB's in the league. From the games I've seen Adarabioyo, Colwill, Badiashille looks absolutely terrible. Sanchez doesn't exactly inspire confidence, either.

---

Chelsea fans tell us Colwill is Maldini's second coming though.

Christian Maldini, perhaps.

I'm still staggered we sacked Pochettino for this wine waiter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Clunge

We’ve lost all three of our US pre-season games, although things have slowly got better - 4-1, then 2-0 and then 1-0 overnight :/

---

Keep going, might end up drawing and eventually winning.

View Tweet

:D

dots.

Good lad. Embrace the madness.

View Tweet

:D

It appears to be legit, I have seen the Polish news story.

Chelsea might concede 80+ in the league this season

Pick your poison...

https://gyazo.com/7543ea9302a96089150807c13114cc22.jpeg

Sean Dyche would win the league with this lot

View Tweet

Saw the Chelsea kit in real life yesterday, on a fat, bald middle aged man obviously, and good lord it is terrible.