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Bloody hell! Arsenal are absolutely demolishing West Ham here! They could get into double figures at this rate.
Arsenal fans chanting 'boring boring Arsenal'
Not even half time and huge numbers of fans are streaming out of the stadium already. Just enough left to boo the side off 😳
Title race well and truly on then?
A grand day out; exactly the sort of game we needed to win to stay with the Scousers and Citeh.
Come on utd
Good win - might yet still play in the European Thursday kickabout league.
Kazakstan, here we come! 😃
Only saw the highlights but how the heck did United win that?
They won it by Villa not taking advantage of their huge number of shots in the first 40 minutes of the second half and then weirdly just sitting back and knocking the ball around their defence. They were still doing that when 2-1 down...
Said it a few times on here this season, ManU have one of the best squads available and should be doing better without a doubt, the fact they're in with a shout of a CL place isn't a huge shock, they're the only team who have outspent Chelsea in the last few years!
The fact they're up against the likes of Villa and Tottenham for that 4th place makes it more attainable, we know Villa are going through a tough patch and will have more, same with Spurs, there's no Chelsea, Newcastle or Brighton to worry about this year, so it's even easier to get into the CL.
If Olly Watkins and Leon Baily had put their shooting boots yesterday it would have been a very different result. They created plenty of chances but didn't finish them. I never thought I'd be typing this but the Villa defence couldn't cope with Harry Maguire. He was causing chaos at set pieces
More defensive worries for us after Shaw was taken off again at half time, on top of Martinez limping off last match. When you're playing Lindelof out on the left, due to having no other options, you've got serious problems.
First game in a while that I've not been swearing at the telly for 90 minutes though
I generally don't follow football, but apparently Arsenal had a very good win over West Ham yesterday. Some of the social media channels I'm on have exploded over this; on one friend's Facebook page, one of his FB friends has threatened to 'batter' another over this particular result, because of 'bantz'. These are two grown adults who up until now have got on pretty well as far as I know. I can understand tribalism, but this is madness. Why??
More defensive worries for us after Shaw was taken off again at half time, on top of Martinez limping off last match. When you’re playing Lindelof out on the left, due to having no other options, you’ve got serious problems.
Bet you're glad they cancelled Reguilons loan deal with the knowledge of Shaw's injuries over the years 😂
I still think ManU have the wrong manager, they have a real team there that could do some damage, but live off the counter and never feel balanced, but there's nobody else available just now so probably best to stick with it, again, this season to get top 4 doesn't look as hard as previous years, they're on a run and other competitors are struggling a bit now.
@brownperson - those kind of idiots are a tiny minority and football isn't the issue. The fact that they're idiots is the issue
I don't know how I've managed it but most of my footy supporting mates are scousers. You don't get more tribal than United v Liverpool and we have a Whatsapp group that exists entirely for the purpose of ruthless piss-taking (obviously this has been fairly one sided in recent seasons but hey ho, I had a good 3 decades). I can't imagine it ever getting 'handbags' on account of my mates not being idiots
on one friend’s Facebook page, one of his FB friends has threatened to ‘batter’ another over this particular result, because of ‘bantz’. These are two grown adults
Premier League football fans are the worst! The Guardian match report comments are hilarious, they tend to split 3 ways:
a) People who post an unutterably tedious 8,000 word match report about 3 seconds after the article goes up, which is so long it has to be broken up over multiple posts
b) People posting or attempting banter (sometimes quite funny)
c) People who believe there's a media/PL/referee conspiracy against their club. This lot are great as they appear to think that if Danny Murphy was less snarky about their defence they would definitely be in contention for the title. I say great, but I wouldn't want to spend any time in their company, the miserable gets. They are also highly liable to become mortally offended by b), and can be identified by their constant use of the term 'absolute disgrace'
These are two grown adults who up until now have got on pretty well as far as I know.
The mistake these two have made is they've failed to identify the difference between being 'at the match' (or at least watching it) and real life. Like binners I've got loads of mates who follow different teams and we never miss an opportunity to wind each other up if the other team wins, but everyone recognises it's only football. However if the more hooliganesque fans really want to fight each other over it let them at it. Consenting adults and all that..
Premier League football fans are the worst!
They're also the source of much amusement. Like the guy on the radio 5 606 phonein recently who had a thick manc accent, claiming to be a lifelong liverpool fan, and calling for Klopp to be sacked because he was a traitor after he announced he was leaving at the end of the season.
😆
And now apparently another bloke posted about pulling a sickie today to avoid having to face the Arsenal fans he works with, only someone screenshotted the post and forwarded it to his boss, who then sent him an email that they were fully expecting him work today, and that unauthorised absence would lead to a disciplinary, so that's backfired quite spectacularly. Honestly these people are idiots.
They’re also the source of much amusement. Like the guy on the radio 5 606 phonein recently who had a thick manc accent, claiming to be a lifelong liverpool fan, and calling for Klopp to be sacked because he was a traitor after he announced he was leaving at the end of the season.
I was just about to mention 606. I absolutely love it! Its usually comedy gold. I heard that call and thought it was the first time I'd heard a Liverpool fan who was clearly from Wythenshawe 😂
The Guardian match report comments are hilarious, they tend to split 3 ways:
For the third type, you could have just said "Leeds/Forest fans".
And some football clubs have no sense of humour. I remember this story back in the day after Newcastle fans all wore gas masks to a Boro game. You don't get this sort of thing at the tennis.
Interesting article from The Athletic; might be behind a paywall.
If blue cards had been in operation, who'd have had the most this season.
Understandably top is Sheff Utd who've been chasing shadows all season. 25 tactical fouls and 8 dissents. At the other end, no great surprise either; Man City are lowest (12/3) and Arsenal just above (14/5) - I guess when you have the ball as much as them then not a lot of chance to foul your opponents.
Except - Liverpool are second top. Despite being a top three side and generally dominating possession they've committed 22 fouls and 9 dissent - that's 31 times they'd have been down to 10 men. Doesn't surprise me that much TBH, Klopp has always been ruthless in that part of the game and he is always in the 4th's ear. And at the other end - Luton and Palace are pretty low and would have benefited relatively well from not being down to 10 - if they could make the advantage tell.
I’m not surprised at all by the Liverpool stat.
Two names immediately spring to mind when you say tactical foul…
Fabhino and Milner
The worst offenders in the league by miles in recent seasons. Every time Milner set foot on the pitch I’d bet on him getting carded. The odds were only ever 2/1 but it was essentially free money. It’s the way Klopp plays. Stopping the counter.
Taking one for the team is just part of the game though. Always has been, always will be. Who hasn’t said a quiet ‘well done lad’ when one of your own players hacks someone down to stop a dangerous break. Be honest.
Casemiro is quite fond of them for us. He’s always a card waiting to happen too. Shaw isn’t averse to them either.
Scholesy was the grand master of getting away with it
The whole blue card thing is the most stupid thing those idiots have dreamt up yet
Back to present events… Chelsea look absolutely dire again!
Edit: looks like Poch gave them the hairdryer at half time
I am going to be the lone voice and say I think this blue card thing is long overdue a try.
I applaud the intent, but suspect sides that are already good at defending when they have a man sent off will just go defensive for those 10 and it might make for boring games, or at least boring 10 mins periods
I wonder what happens if a centre back is sin binned for example. If sent off they'd take off an attacker to bring another CB on but not so easy if then 10 mins later you've now got three CBs when Mr Bins comes back on. Do you use another sub to get another attacker back, but then the subbed first attacker and the subbed CB - are they done for the day so you're now down to an inferior XI?
What if it's your GK? Bring a sub GK on for 10 mins, then sub him again? Or do we see like the good old days where an outfielder dons the gloves?
That's why there's a trial in some lower grade, s3 how it works out. Might be good, might be shit
Kevin De Bruyne is at it again. He's like a ringer from another planet.
An interesting weekends results.
We were a game of two halves today. The first half being the opening ten minutes when we looked bloody brilliant, then the following 80 where we were shite and couldn’t string two passes together. God knows how we got 3 points out of that?
Still… 3 points off Spuds. Thursday nights in Serbia could still be a reality
Weird one, tuned into the match, the first giveaway goal was bad, then the deflected shot, you thought this was going to be a proper hiding, then Luton score and it turns into a weird game, Casemiro nearly getting sent off was weird as well, guy who's meant to be one of the senior players losing the head like that. Maguire almost gifting them a goal in kind as well was mental, not sure what was said at half time, but the fact Ten Hag binned all 3 on yellow cards was also a bit weird.
Still, as stated many times, ManU have the squad to do well, they just need to keep up with Spurs and Villa, not the top 3.
Dan Ashworth’s garden, 2026
Eddie Howe will be happy, apparently they didn't get on too well. Supposedly Man U are willing to wait, but I doubt Ashworth will be too keen on sitting around for a year so they'll come to a settlement no doubt. Curious about all the media hype about this though, Ashworth's main role was sorting out player contracts and training facilities so not exactly irreplaceable.
Spurs have most players back but don't seem to have gelled, having both fullbacks out won't have helped. I'm only interested in 4th, or 5th if pl does manage to get the extra cl spot. Beyond that I take this season as a massive step in the right direction. We've a very tough run of games coming.... Will need the full squad back if we are going to stay in the race!
Casemiro nearly getting sent off was weird as well, guy who’s meant to be one of the senior players losing the head like that
I mentioned him when we were discussing blue cards for 'taking one for the team' fouls. He does it all the time. He was a very lucky boy to stay on the pitch yesterday. He'd already got away with a couple of dodgy challenges other than the card he'd already picked up. When I saw him dive in again I thought we'd be down to ten men.
Maguire, after a great game last week, resumed normal service with passing straight to a Luton striker in front of his own goal.
An interesting weekends results though. City looked strangely flat against a Chelsea side who actually looked pretty good. Spurs were Spursey. Arsenal look like proper title contenders (they looked like they could have got into double figures against West Ham), as do Liverpool. Its a while since we've had a proper three-way scrap for the title
City looked strangely flat
The Cyberdyne System 101 could of had 3 or 4, needs recalibrating.
Someone definitely hacked into his radar and set his coordinates to Row Z
Brighton were also back on form - though top 6 is looking difficult now.
expert level shithousing from the lower leagues.
https://twitter.com/The_Forty_Four/status/1759345136373313680
In the same vein, you've got to love the live matches from Kenilworth Road. With it being so compact, there was some top level swearyness picked up by the camera mikes yesterday
expert level shithousing from the lower leagues.
Didn't Trippier do that against sunderland if the FA Cup
Well Sunderland have sacked another manager after only 2 months. Crazy.
Which has just reminded me, the return of the long-running comedy 'Sunderland til I Die' has just landed on Netflix. That should provide much hilarity.
I do have a Sunderland supporting mate, exiled in Manchester, who never made it through the first episode of the first series as he was absolutely apoplectic after about 10 minutes and to subject himself to any more risked the telly going out of the window
I've watched the 1st 2 series about 3 times.
The 1st one is hilarious.
Especially as the producers are massive Sunderland fans and thought they were going to record a promotion push.
Maybe if the Sunderland boss just ignores the sacking, it will go away?
Hodgson gone
Palace looking for a new boss
Heart leapt for a moment there, given he'd been in hospital last week.
Not gone gone, fired gone.
It’s a mystery that the same old failed managers get rehired again and again 🤷♂️
Hodgson was successful last season. He kept them up
Hodgson was successful last season. He kept them up
He did, although he had a run of much easier games than Viera had.
Yep Roy's gone. He'll be back next season mind.
Palace looking for a new boss
They had already agreed a deal with Glasner to take over before Roy before he was taken ill, just had to wait for him to be discharged from hospital before they could sack him.
That new Palace boss is a talented chap
Crazy stuff at the business end of the championship! Southampton losing again after their amazing run of form , Ipswich grabbing a winner after being hauled back to 3-3 in stoppage time. 2 pts and a little bit of goal difference between 2nd and 4th place.
All this before Leeds v Leicester on Friday night at Elland Road. Can’t wait!!
RM.
Bonkers - as a Leeds fan, I was following tonight’s games almost as much as I usually do ours. But, never mind the final scores, we are now 2nd and it’s in our hands - it’s been a couple of months since we’ve been in that position. Fingers crossed we don’t blow it all on Friday night.
The Berkshire Behemoth has moved from the depths of despair to mid table obscurity. The fightback has begun.
You gotta love the Championship!
Ipswich grabbing a winner after being hauled back to 3-3 in stoppage time
A night of mixed emotions folliwing the live feed last night.
Thank God Ipswich built up a 10 point cushion before the traditional new year collapse.
Thank God Ipswich built up a 10 point cushion before the traditional new year collapse.
Ipswich were always going to struggle with their squad in the Championship – they just don't have the strength in depth that the likes of Leeds/Southampton/Leicester have. Whatever happens this season from now on in, it does have to be looked at as a success.
Depending on what happens at the weekend, the entire top 4 in the championship could be separated by 8 points which is mental when you think Leicester were what, 15 points clear or something at one point and Ipswich similarly flying. Unlucky for Rotherham last night - I doubt there have been many games this season that they've scored 3 goals but to score 3 against a top 4 side and then lose... thats harsh.
Friday night at Leeds is going to be proper tasty...
The Championship surely has to be the most bonkers league in the world? Its certainly the hardest to get out of. Teams are up and down like yoyo's. Makes for entertaining football though as its so competitive
Friday night at Leeds is going to be proper tasty…
Yep - I am looking forward to and dreading it in equal measures right now. Unfortunately Bamford is still out and he is exactly the sort of player we need for this sort of game. Still, we have some in-form players at the moment.
Ipswich were always going to struggle with their squad in the Championship – they just don’t have the strength in depth that the likes of Leeds/Southampton/Leicester have. Whatever happens this season from now on in, it does have to be looked at as a success.
I was hoping to finish fourth from bottom snd stay up. Anything better is a bonus.
I agree with you there Morecashthandash. I couldn't help but get excited in November and therefore feeling disappointed earlier this year but the reality is that this has already been an amazing season and it's far from over yet.
Reading's natural home is the championship, league one is for market towns with other competing sports.
The Championship should be sponsored by Rentakill, it really is like rats in a sack.
The Championship surely has to be the most bonkers league in the world? Its certainly the hardest to get out of. Teams are up and down like yoyo’s. Makes for entertaining football though as its so competitive
I absolutely love the championship. It all feels a little bit more "real" vs the premiership with its oil money, VAR, plastic fans, idiots like Danny Murphy commentating etc but ultimately gaining promotion from the championship is the goal. When Leeds got relegated last season, at no point did I think "oh god, not the championship again" - as a fan, I looked forward to that far more than another season of playing at massive, silent stadiums with fans politely applauding stuff, Chelsea fans singing "Chelsea, Chelsea" for 10 minutes of a 90 minute game etc. Smaller, packed stadiums full of atmosphere and sometimes raw hatred with some really good football being played.
When Leeds got relegated last season, at no point did I think “oh god, not the championship again”
Yeah, I absolutely agree with that sentiment. However, now we are in a position where we could get promoted again, I would be disappointed if we fail to achieve it.
I've said the same, the first season (ever) reading made it into the Premier League was magnificent, seeing superstars week in week out, and we were decent and even in with a shout of Europe until quite late on. Sir Steve Coppell in charge, upsetting other teams because of a refusal to play the game and roll over for their big names.... a great time
Second season - not so much. We got found out and countered, we lost some key players and it was a struggle. By autumn, it was just avoiding getting badly beaten against the top half, try to get something against the 11-15, and then you're in a mini survival league where you had to win, or at least avoid defeat against 16-20. A real dirge of thinking where could we get 3 points out of the next 12 on offer, and then maybe we'll still be in touch for a couple of 'easier' games.
Of course, would love to be back, but can't quite make out why?
Tuchel to leave at the end of the season as part of "a sporting realignment" at Bayern.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68301718
Now where is that angry Pepperami Tuchel meme?
I find football depressing these days, the money, media and governance is just daft now, every year it gets more about how to squeeze a few more quid out of it, rather than improving it throughout, i struggle to watch a game start to finish as well these days, especially cup games as they just seem pointless these days.
so Liverpool, Bayern and Barcelona all looking for a manager at the same time.
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A ‘sporting realignment.’ You what??!! They’ll be needing David Brent.
Reckon Alonso can pick between Liverpool, Bayern and Barca, assuming he leaves. Surely Barca third choice given his Madrid links and then being pretty shambolic off the park.
I can't see Klopp at Bayern, that's like going from Celtic to Rangers. They really don't like each other and why spoil his legacy?
If Klopp went to Bayern it would make his return to Germany pretty stressful, not something you'd expect for a guy taking a step back to enjoy life, i doubt Liverpool fans would be happy either that he went straight into another gig.
Is Tuchel a bit toxic or something? I couldn't figure out why on earth Chelsea got shot so quick after winning the CL and now Bayern are doing the same after winning the Bundesliga last year. Yes they're behind Dortmund but is that really a reason to not keep him on given how successful a manager he is?
Jesse Marsch, tactical genius, is still out of work...
Yes they’re behind Dortmund
Behind Leverkusen, Dortmund are 4th
Tuchel is a bit of a tool by the accounts that have come out of every club he's been at. Also he was Dortmund manager, why take the Bayern job knowing about the rivalry?
I don't think he won the Chumps league at Chelsea thru tactical acumen - Pep lost it by bizarrely not playing Rodri or Fernandinho in CM. WTAF ?!?!?!? Any game decided by a Havertz goal must be a bit of shitshow plus Rudiger's shithousery - it wasn't a classic but they rarely are.
I see uniteds savour is now testing the water about the return of Mason Greenwood.
If you're into some top shithousery then Porto is giving a master class. 20 years ago Celtic was beaten by the same 'housery.