A thread to discuss football during April

[Ian]

LA Galaxy and the Portland Timbers have got April off to an AMAZING start with Ibrahimovic scoring two penalties.

On our shores we're getting off to a thrilling start too with tonight's big game, Curzon Ashton vs. Blyth Spartans, kicking off at 7.45pm.

Some other highlights of the month's football include France Women vs. Japan Women in a friendly at 8pm on Thursday, Wimbledon vs. Accrington Stanley on Saturday, Red Bull Salzburg vs, Sturm Graz on Sunday the 14th, Strømsgodset vs. Mjøndalen IF the very same weekend(!) and many, many more that I can't see because the BBC's general fixture list only goes up to the 15th for now.

[phonics]

Genuinely no idea how you come back from this. A goalkeeper that's scared of the ball?

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[SvN]

That gif is 3 years old, when he was 17.

[SincereTheRebel]

At least a third of the close range shots would be blocked if defenders would face the ball, instead of turning their back to it. A goalkeeper though, that is a disgrace.

[Pleb]

QPR have sacked McClaren

[bruhnaldo]

This dickhead did this right in front of me last night. I'm so sad, so very very sad.

[SvN]

QPR have sacked McClaren

I was just reading about that. I somehow completely forgot he managed Newcastle a few years ago. I genuinely can't remember it at all.

[Queenslander]

Steve McClaren's Middlesbrough had me playing hundreds of hours 20 years ago.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

At least he can spend more time with Casper.

[Pleb]

Are we now officially in the TITLE RUN IN this month?

[niko_cee]

Yeah, Sky rolled out the associated bunting this weekend just gone.

[Bernanke]

https://twitter.com/edendassidy/stat...986624?lang=en

This is quality. Personal highlight:

February 2011 - A nine year old named Filippo held a banner at the San Siro begging Inter to stop losing cos they were teasing him at school. Inter invited him to training ground, apologized to him officially then lost their game

[phonics]

Yeah, Sky rolled out the associated bunting this weekend just gone.

I saw Sky posting a Neville quote on the sky website and they actually capitalised 'The Run-in' like it was God or something.

[phonics]

Oh and the top earners in futbol:



Considering Bale signed that contract, what, four to five years ago? He's not done badly to still be up top.

[SincereTheRebel]

Sanchez is truly a don.

[Lewis]

That is a bit lop-sided. Is Ronaldo really on two million a week, or have they just not included anyone else's sponsorship earnings?

[phonics]

That is a bit lop-sided. Is Ronaldo really on two million a week, or have they just not included anyone else's sponsorship earnings?

IIRC Juve's ticket prices went up 15-20% to pay his wages even though bringing him in massively boosted their sponsorship income

edit: lol it was in fact 30%, an increase which covers exactly one week of Ronaldos wages.

[Lewis]

Even still. Nowhere else has Messi earning that in salary, and surely Paulp Ogba pulls in a fair amount of Adidas (and whatever else) money.

[phonics]

Even still. Nowhere else has Messi earning that in salary, and surely Paulp Ogba pulls in a fair amount of Adidas (and whatever else) money.

Take it up with France Football mate.

Teams for tonight:


Is Karl Darlow the most Proper Football Man name about in the modern game?

[John]

Take it up with France Football mate.

Alright, Harold.

[randomlegend]

At least he can spend more time with Casper.

Destroy and exit complete.

[Lewis]

Woah what is Ander Herrera doing the little 'I love this club me' weasel?

[Shindig]

I was just reading about that. I somehow completely forgot he managed Newcastle a few years ago. I genuinely can't remember it at all.

It really has been a blur since Twente.

[phonics]

I'm not his biggest fan but Ramsey is absolutely bossing this game.

[phonics]

I'm not his biggest fan but Ramsey is absolutely bossing this game.

More than deserved.

[niko_cee]

If Arsenal lol their way into 3rd (or even 4th) it's going to somewhat put pay to the idea that the top end of the Premier League is packed with insurmountable Europe-dominating quality.

That said, I see 5 of their last 7 games are away, and all of them 'tricky', how does that work?



Opposite view would be they are all against mid-table, nothing to play for already-on-the-beach bilge.

[niko_cee]

The capitulations Spurs and Chelsea have put in to get to this point can't be overstated. They must have been a dozen points clear of the chasing pack at points.

[phonics]

The capitulations Spurs and Chelsea have put in to get to this point can't be overstated. They must have been a dozen points clear of the chasing pack at points.

Spurs were 13 points ahead of United when those 'Could Spurs go above City?' stories ran. They've picked up a point since mid-February.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That is some clearance off the line.

[phonics]

Matt Richie has prevented two clear goals with that fall in the box and that clearance. Fun game though. Arsenal normally slow the fuck down when faced against this sort of team but it's been high tempo throughout.

[phonics]

If that's a yellow, the game has gone.

edit1: I am absolutely tempting fate but Ki has been a real disapointment for Newcastle. I thought he'd go on to earn Nobby Solano levels of legend status.

edit 2: That is an absolutely awful goal, zero pressure on any player.

[Mazuuurk]

Matt Richie has prevented two clear goals with that fall in the box and that clearance. Fun game though. Arsenal normally slow the fuck down when faced against this sort of team but it's been high tempo throughout.

That's one thing I really like about Guendouzi. He constantly brings up the tempo in midfield.

He does a fair few mistakes for it as well (and his quality in games steeply decline after the 70th minute every time), but still. Very impressed by him given his age so far.

[SincereTheRebel]

When ive watched Guendouzi play, he just seems like a taller Wilshere with more hair. That whole age thing. Wasnt old Jack doing the same thing, but then never improved at all during his time at Arsenal?

[Mazuuurk]

That's quite true I guess. Wilshere had better touch. But he got so fucked by his injuries (and maybe from smoking and drinking and what have you to an unknown extent) - but I still think he could have been a proper great player with less injuries and maybe better mentality.

Of course you never know. Doesn't mean there isn't potential.

[thommo]

Let's get this relegation done and dusted tonight please. No false victories at the last, just a soul-sapping 1-0 loss at Watford and back in the Championship before Easter, and I can already begin to brush this car crash of a season under the carpet before August swings back around.

[Foe]

Sky channel 115 now for some elite level football.

[SvN]

We're going to have to be at our best tonight to beat "The Wolverhampton Wolves" according to the pundit on NBC.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

McTominay

Good hit from THE LAD.

[randomlegend]

Nice finish that.

[niko_cee]

If Nuno's already taken the Chelsea job someone should tell him that they could do with his side returning from holiday here.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Jota is just offside.

Fred is useless though.

[SvN]

He's nowhere near offside.

[Foe]

Drapers brother nearly scored, nearly got sent off and got hooked at half time. 2-1 though

[Ian]

Best bit of defending of the game so far was Lukaku when McTominay was lining up another shot on the edge of the area.

[bruhnaldo]

Pogba is fucking useless 9 out of 10 matches.

[niko_cee]

Also, well done to whichever set of fans are paying their respects to Bobby Firmino.

[Jimmy Floyd]

If Nuno's already taken the Chelsea job someone should tell him that they could do with his side returning from holiday here.

They always get up for TV games.

[niko_cee]

With Neves well on his way to being the next one, the question now arises which £50m midfielder has been the most disappointing this season? Keita has done fuck all. Fred has done less than fuck all and Jorginho is actively harmful to his side much of the time. Mahrez gets himself out of the equation by being relatively useful on occasion. Any other contenders?

City dodging the Fred and the Jorginho bullets is a right sickener.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What a mong.

[Mazuuurk]

Fabinho, and arguably that Seri who was supposed to be really good.

As for next seasons contenders, I'm expecting Ajax to sell half their team to various top clubs for sums that'll end up looking even more ludicrous than they initially did as these lads start assisting the opposition teams proper.